Courtney McGrailOver 1,000 young Catholics descended on Mount St Joseph Abbey, Roscrea in Co. Tipperary at the weekend for the Youth 2000 Summer Festival.
The event, which combines faith, fellowship and craic, has become an annual staple on the Irish religious calendar with buses travelling from all parts of the island.
Organisers were delighted with the success of the event, with Dominican Friar Fr John Harris leading the weekend of prayer and reflection.
Of the 1,100 young people present, 260 were under-16 and 30% were attending the summer youth festival for the first time.
Andrew Ascough, 16, Dublin
I came to the Youth 2000 Festival to get to know my faith a little bit better and to meet with like-minded people. Roscrea is much more special than any other retreat. It’s much livelier, it has a great atmosphere and it’s packed with young people. It’s very inspiring. Afterwards I feel ready to take on the world again.
Fearghail Hosty-Blaney, 16, Armagh
I always have a great time at the youth festival. I’ve met lots of new friends with the same interests and questions about their faith as I have myself. It’s helped me get to know about Church teaching and keeping me on the right path. Knowing there is other young people out there with an interest in their faith has given me a great boost.
Wojciech Barski, 18, Kildare
I volunteered this year as a guardian and as part of the welcoming team. It has been a great experience. You get to put a smile on people’s faces and make them feel comfortable. Roscrea gives me the opportunity to spread my own faith to others. There's a great sense of peace and calmness here.
Olivia McAleese, 18, Louth
I came here to develop my faith, improve my relationship with God and to meet new people. So far it’s been great, it’s like nothing I’ve ever done before but I’m really enjoying it.
Niamh Collins, 18, Galway
This is my fourth retreat with Youth 2000. It’s a great way to experience the love of God. Nobody here judges you, everyone is in the same boat so you can just be yourself. That’s why I love it so much.
Kevin Millan, 33, Cork
I’ve been involved in Youth 2000 for the past five years now. Youth 2000 and their retreats have been an integral part of my development as a person. They help you refocus on the important things and prepare you for different challenges you might face.
Annette O’Donnell, 17, Cork
The atmosphere is incredible. When I first came I didn’t know what to expect or what it was about but everyone has such a sense of joy and peace about them that it’s infectious.
Cathrina As, 21, Limerick
My first retreat four years ago changed my life. I’ve made the best of friends and I come back every year to see them. The talks are amazing and you really feel that you are growing in your faith here.
Arman Jose Galang, 23, Dublin
I have been here before when I was younger and thought I would come back this year to see what it is like from a more mature perspective. It’s been great so far. It’s a personal journey to refresh your faith and seeing the amount of young people is a real change from the typical Mass in Dublin.
China Soribe, 17, Offaly
I have come here to strengthen my faith. It’s a really positive experience, its powerful. I gain a lot of confidence from the retreat and get to meet lots of new people.