Month: March 2023

Sidelights on the Skelligs I

An excerpt from Patrick Weston Joyce, English as We Speak it in Ireland (London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1910), pages 324-325.   In his essay on the “Skellig Lists” in Irish folk life contributor Shane Lehane overlooks this interesting and important notice of the custom by the Victorian scholar of all things Irish, Patrick Weston…

In Brief

Petition for release of Nicaraguan bishop given to embassy in Mexico The Actívate and Solidart platforms have delivered a petition with 11,000 signatures to the Nicaraguan embassy in Mexico City condemning the human rights violations committed by dictator President Daniel Ortega and demanding the release of the Bishop of Matagalpa, Rolando Álvarez. Members of both…

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A solemn service marks one year of war in Ukraine

February 24 saw the one year anniversary of the outbreak of war in Ukraine, and both Ukrainian and Irish communities gathered in Donneycarney parish to mark the occasion. Speaking to The Irish Catholic newspaper, Chaplain to the Ukrainian Community in Ireland Fr Vasyl Kornitsky said that the one year anniversary was a “very anxious day”…

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Sidelights on the Skelligs II

“Who founded Skellig monastery?” remains a moot question, as the lawyers say. The relevant contributors to this book have to admit that though the name of St Fíonán is associated with the early centuries of Skellig’s human history, who truly founded the monastery is an obscure issue. But it may be that light on this…

An invitation to walk with Christ…

The Holy Land is once again buzzing with pilgrims from all over the world, including many from Ireland, writes Michael Kelly Whether through the eyes of faith or as a tourist, the Holy Land is an unforgettable destination. It is an intoxicating mix of culture, religion, history, architecture, sun-soaked beaches and world-class cuisine. Sunday February…

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Is the synod a con job?

Dear Editor, I have only recently become familiar, via a conversation with one of my granddaughters, with the concept of gaslighting. Gaslighting is characterised as a form of psychological manipulation in which a dominant party attempts to sow self-doubt and confusion in the mind of someone else. Typically, gaslighters are seeking to gain power and…

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Irish absence was strange given important anniversary

The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) celebrated its 75th  birthday last month with its NCH concert repeated the following evening in Waterford’s SETU Arena. The events were not without administrative difficulties when original conductor Jonathon Heyward, falling victim to Covid-19, was forced to withdraw. However, stepping in at short notice, his replacement, dynamic Chinese Lio Kuokman,…

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In Short

Prayers for peace needed this Lent – Archbishop Martin Prayers, charity and sacrifice for peace and refugees are needed this Lent, Archbishop Eamon Martin said on Ash Wednesday, February 22. The world has experienced death and suffering on a large scale in the last year, the Primate of All-Ireland said in a statement. “I encourage…

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