Brandon Scott Sr Mary Kevin O’Higgins, the daughter of politician Kevin O’Higgins who was assassinated by anti-Treaty members while journeying to Mass in Booterstown, Dublin, passed away last week at the age of 98. Born in Government Buildings on the June 7, 1923, Sr O’Higgins was four years of age before tragedy struck her family…
Category: Irish News
Priest hails Charlie Bird’s Croagh Patrick pilgrimage
The priest of Westport parish in Co. Mayo has said there was a “very strong spiritual element” on the day broadcaster Charlie Bird ascended Croagh Patrick as part of his charity fundraising campaign on Saturday. Fr Charlie McDonnell said he was with Mr Bird when he heard the news his campaign had raised €2 million,…
Youth and religious team up for worship album
A group of young Catholic musicians and a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal have collaborated to produce a praise and worship album. Speaking to The Irish Catholic newspaper, singer Ruth Hogan said they had a desire to create their own Irish praise and worship sounds, as much of the current offering comes from America or…
Wind farm plans loom over iconic Cork chapel
A local community in Gougane Barra has taken issue with the proposed nearby building of Cork’s biggest wind turbines, close to the picturesque St Finbarr’s Oratory. An Bord Pleanála gave the controversial project a green light in February after it had been refused planning permission by Cork County Council because of the negative impact the…
Trans ‘rights’ can be used to shut down debate, says senator
Staff reporter Pre-packaging claims as “rights” can be used to shut down debate and deny the chance to “discern” the validity of the claims, Senator Rónán Mullen has said. This comes after senators took issue with Senator Mullen’s reluctance to use the term “transgender rights” during an Order of Business debate. Senator Mullen took to…
Augustinians to leave two Dublin parishes
The Augustinian order have made the “painful” decision to withdraw friars from Rivermount Parish in Finglas and Meath Street parish in the Liberties. The decision came following the order’s chapter last week, as it seeks to downsize due to a decline in the number of friars. Prior provincial Fr Tony Egan OSA told this paper…
UCC’s Honan Chapel reopens after €1.2 million refurbishment
The iconic Collegiate Chapel of St Finbarr – better known as the Honan Chapel at University College Cork – reopened in March, after a €1.2 million refurbishment. Bishop of Cork and Ross Fintan Gavin celebrated Mass to mark a new chapter in the chapel’s 106-year-old story. The occasion was also marked with a dinner in…
Fr McVerry commends Derry JPII awards recipients for outreach
At the 15th annual John Paul II awards ceremony in Derry, Fr Peter McVerry commended the recipients of the awards for reaching out to their parishes and communities. In reaching out, Fr McVerry said, “they were meeting Jesus in those they encountered”. Fr McVerry was the guest speaker at the ceremony, and along with Bishop…
Ireland legend pleads with young people to make more time for God
Former Ireland international and Birmingham City player Keith Fahey has urged young people to keep God at the centre of their lives and not to be sucked in by addiction or materialism. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Mr Fahey – who was capped for the Republic of Ireland 16 times – said he was on…
Rural parishes hope for summer boost after Covid
The Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions devastated rural communities, leaving some towns lying empty and derelict, but parishes now say they are hopeful of a summer boost having “weathered the storm”. Fr John Joe Duffy of Creeslough, Co. Donegal, told The Irish Catholic “it’s tearing the heart out of rural communities to see them lying empty…