If there is one thing we’re not short of in Ireland, it’s water. As well as having over 4,600 miles of coastline, Ireland boasts of numerous lakes and rivers. Over the past few decades watersports have taken off in Ireland. The invention of the wetsuit made much of this possible in our cold climate. It…
I grew up in a Catholic home with my parents, my two younger brothers and my younger sister. For most of my teenage years, my faith didn’t mean anything to me. I thought Mass was very boring and I didn’t see the point in going. I went every Sunday but only to please my parents.…
Colm Fitzpatrick talks to a Kerry priest who’s a part-time magician Fr Ger Godley, a name most fitting for a priest, has sparked the interest of many because of his bewildering magical talents. All starting with a magic set that he received for Christmas when he was a child, the native-born Kerryman has pursued the…
“Sometimes you come across a young girl or guy sitting in the street, unable to get up, and you think what if that was my son or daughter. I would not want someone mindlessly stepping over my child,” reflects the Coordinating Director of Street Pastors in Cork, David Hoey. For many, when out at night,…
St Joseph’s College, Lucan, is a CEIST school founded by the Presentation Sisters situated in South County Dublin. We are an all girls voluntary Catholic school with approximately 800 students. We are fortunate to have a very successful Transition Year programme which is co-ordinated by Ms Bligh. As well as the usual school subjects we…
I was at an anti-natal class where the mid-wife was discussing breastfeeding. She asked the room of expectant parents why they thought breastfeeding levels are so low in Ireland. Immediately one of the dads piped up with “because of the Catholic Church”. The midwife replied, “Ah now, the Catholic Church has its faults but we…
Holy Family Mission, working under the auspices of the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore, opened its doors officially on October 23, 2016, when 10 courageous young people from across the country committed a year of their lives to be formed in their faith, in order to share this with others. It is a response to…
Mags Gargan offers some inexpensive options for keeping children entertained during the summer The long summer school holidays are nearly upon us and it is time to start thinking of activities to keep children occupied. Summer camps and holidays away can only keep them busy for so long, and it’s far too easy to let…
Grace Fitzgerald Grace Fitzgerald describes a school pilgrimage up Croagh Patrick Last month 60 fourth year students from Laurel Hill Secondary School in Limerick, ventured over to Mayo to undertake one of Ireland’s highest mountain, Croagh Patrick. Tensions were high when we first spotted our initial glimpse of our hike to come, especially when the…
Sr Mary Threadgold RSC Sr Mary Threadgold RSC explores ways of coping with the challenges in later life As a child, the love of my life was my grandfather. From infancy, along with my father and brother, I had lived with extended family which included grandparents, uncles and an aunt. My mother had died shortly…
Mags Gargan
Colm Fitzpatrick