Posts tagged Ireland
Why Ireland Remains The ‘Land Of Uncanonized Saints And Scholars’

(ANALYSIS) Ireland is sometimes dubbed the “land of saints and scholars.” A Google search reveals a fair number of Irish scholars, but there really haven't been that many Irish saints, at least not since the advent of papal canonization. In fact, when St. Oliver Plunkett — the final known Catholic martyr to die under English persecution — was canonized in 1975, he became the first new Irish saint since 1225. That's a gap of three-fourths of a millennium.

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Churches Across Ireland Using Music To Engage With Young People

The sounds of music are everywhere these days in Dublin’s churches. While rates of religious affiliation are rapidly dropping in Ireland, the music continues. Church leaders believe that music can touch young people and keep them open to exploring faith. Music is also a focus of Catholic efforts to reach the youth.

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In Post-Catholic Ireland, The Emergence Of A New Kind Of Clergy

Ireland — once a bastion of Catholicism — has become a more secular, pluralistic nation. In the 2022 census, 14% of respondents reported having no religion, according to the Central Statistics Office of Ireland. That’s a rise of nearly 100,000 people since the 2016 census. With more Irish people moving away from organized religion, nonreligious weddings, have become increasingly common.

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A Popeless Cause: Why Hasn’t There Ever Been An Irish Pontiff?

(ANALYSIS) Remember that time Ireland had a pope? You probably don't. Because it never happened. Despite Ireland's rich monastic and missionary traditions — along with its hard-fought struggle to maintain the Catholic religion — there has never been an Irish pope. Italy, of course, has had hundreds of popes. France has had 15 and the Germans half a dozen.

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5 Houses Of Worship To Explore When Visiting Ireland

(TRAVEL) Ireland is a country that offers tourists a captivating blend of stunning landscapes and a rich history, making it an incredibly fun place to visit. The Emerald Isle’s many churches — some 4,000 in all — offers a captivating journey through Ireland's rich religious heritage dating back centuries. In time for St. Patrick’s Day, here are five Catholic houses of worship that stand out.

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‘The Banshees Of Inisherin’ Asks The Question: Does God Care About Miniature Donkeys?

(REVIEW) Ever get the sinking feeling that your friends don’t like you? That every time you talk, they’re just wishing you’d shut up — that they’re even timing how long you talk? Or worse: have you always thought you had a friend until, one day, they just told you they didn’t like you anymore? That horrifying premise is the driving force behind Martin McDonagh’s heartbreakingly bloody friendship breakup “The Banshees of Inisherin.”

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5 Things You Didn't Know About the Feast of St. Patrick

St. Patrick’s Day is once again upon us. Most think they know what the holiday is all about — like the need to wear green so we do not get pinched. But there’s so much more to this very important holiday for millions of people in Ireland and around the world.

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‘I am Patrick’ shatters myths to highlight the true ministry of Ireland’s beloved saint

(REVIEW) Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated with beer and parades, often neglecting the true meaning of the day. For Ireland and its largely Catholic population, Patrick is their patron saint. He is a man many people think they know. This new docudrama tries to get to the true story of a man who converted an entire country to Christianity.

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Pilgrimage to Ireland: The Book of Kells at Trinity College

Trinity College in Dublin, to be exact, holds many a wondrous treasure for the insatiable scholar and fewer curiosities for the vaguely obligated tourist. For me, it held one of the crown jewels of literature, The Book of Kells.

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