Irish Pilgrimages for the people of Ireland have always been of great importance. People have been visiting some of the sites we mention dating back to pre-Christian times. Clonmacnoise Clonmacnoise, Co. Offaly This location is steeped in history. Many people lived on this spot and now hints of the busy monastic settlement it once was. […]
Iconography Many kinds of religious art can be found in Ireland. The ancient and beautiful art form of iconography is not as old as many of the Celtic art Ireland is known for but in 1992, a group of people in Dublin started the Irish Association of Iconographers. That association continues to grow. It’s not […]
The Liturgical Calendar, for Roman Catholics, starts on the first Sunday in Advent and documents religious life by event instead of by date. This is a description published by the Irish Diocese. Advent The year for the Roman Catholic Church begins with the first Sunday in Advent. This is calculated by counting back four Sundays […]
Confirmation is connected to Confirmation. In Confirmation, we are welcomed as Christians into the church and made strong by receiving the Holy Spirit at Confirmation. The Apostles were very fearful, hiding out, until the Holy Spirit came to them at Pentecost. This gave them the strength they needed after Jesus died. Confirmation, the Eucharist, and […]
The Sacrament, First Communion marks becoming a fully participating member of the church. People, usually children, are put through a formal religious educational program in preparation of receiving the host. In the Catholic Church, children are usually given their first communion around the ages of seven or eight. About the Eucharist Holy Communion is also […]
Irish Baptism Traditions are steeped in history and have special meaning for the family of the new baby. Baptism is the introduction of a new child into the Church community. Some traditions in Ireland call for the Christening garment to be made of pure Irish linen. Other traditions are the prayers or blessings spoken over […]
Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation are seen as milestones in a Christian person’s life in Ireland. In this section, we discuss these sacraments in the Catholic church and other denominations. We also offer views of modern-day agnostic rites of passage and welcome stories from our readers that we share on our site. For our […]
Those in Ireland, who traditionally observe religious holidays, do so with great reverence at this time of year. As with other holidays, the people of Ireland vigorously clean and whitewash their homes. This time of year is traditionally known as the time to shop for new clothes. Easter marks a new season, a time of […]
Those that did not attend Midnight Mass will join others in the early morning Mass on Christmas Day. At home, presents are opened and admired in the morning. In some families, it is a common practice to call on the elderly members of the family and wish them Nollaig Shona Dhuit, which is Merry Christmas […]
The Christmas holiday is celebrated all over the world. The manner of celebrating is basically the same, yet each culture’s unique touches gives the season its own special flavor. In Ireland, the Christmas season is a long one with great attention paid to the religious aspect of the holiday. It begins with Advent, four weeks […]
