The newly appointed Bishop of Derry has appealed to Irish Catholics to rediscover Knock Shrine and the joys of pilgrimage. Speaking as the annual Knock Novena begins on August 13, Bishop Michael Router spoke of the importance of the Co. Mayo shrine for the Irish people. “Sometimes,” said Bishop Michael Router, “we don’t find it…
In the heart of a city long scarred by division, the pipes and fiddles of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann sounded a note of quiet triumph at the weekend. For the first time, Belfast hosted the world’s largest celebration of Irish traditional music, song, dance and language – drawing more than a million visitors. That this…
A centenary recreation of Waterford’s historic March of the Black Friars is an opportunity to “re-engage” with the city’s Catholic history rather than simply look back nostalgically, a local historian has said. The procession on August 16 will recall the 1926 march which drew around 5,000 people to mark 700 years since the arrival of…
In a recent visit to the archbishop’s residence in Armagh, Emma Redmond, Head of OpenAI Ireland, gathered with Archbishop Eamon Martin to discuss the Pope’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas. Ms Redmond was accompanied by Derek Nolan, Policy and Partnerships Lead for Ireland and the Nordics at OpenAI Ireland. The group discussed the encyclical letter “at this…
Knock Shrine is preparing to expand its role as a centre for retreats and faith formation as religious-run retreat houses continue to close across Ireland, its rector has said. Fr Richard Gibbons PP said the shrine is planning decades ahead as it considers how its facilities can respond to the changing needs of the Irish…
A relative of the Maguire children, whose tragic deaths in 1976 inspired a peace movement in Belfast, has described the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann as a “miracle.” “We used to be dying in the streets, and now we are dancing in the streets,” said Gerry Grehan, whose family was catapulted into world headlines this week…
A group of 27 Polish pilgrims will trek across Ireland for three weeks, offering their journey in prayer for young people across Europe. The hikers, part of NINIWA Team, a youth initiative of the Missionary Oblates in Poland, will leave Dublin on August 24 and travel through the Wicklow Mountains, Mayo and Connemara before continuing…
A group of young Irish Catholics became the first fully English-speaking group to take part in the Franciscan pilgrimage to the Pardon of Assisi in its 44-year history. Around 20 pilgrims, accompanied by Bro. Ronan Sharpley OFM and another Franciscan friar, walked for three days towards Assisi, covering up to 30km a day in temperatures…
A historic church in Co. Cork, built two years before Catholic Emancipation, is preparing for its bicentennial with “unusual events” and fundraising for church restoration and heritage preservation. The Doneraile Parish was the home of many famous priests and still conserves its historical importance. In preparation for the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed…
Catholics should not leave their faith at home when going on holidays, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan has said, encouraging families to use time away for spiritual as well as physical renewal. Speaking on a recent podcast, the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore said holidays provide a legitimate break from everyday duties, but warned against allowing them…
Martina Purdy
Renata Steffens