A Catholic Guide to Ireland, The “Emerald Isle”
Many know the story of Saint Patrick, a man taken from England by Irish pirates, made a slave, then escaping to his home country where he became a priest and then chose to return back to Ireland. He is credited with helping convert the country to Christianity.
The influence Ireland has had around the world on the Catholic faith has been very significant. In fact much of our Catholic identity was preserved in the monasteries of Ireland through the middle ages. Ireland has since been known for its steadfast faith and troubled history. Although many left Ireland due to political oppression and lack of opportunity, the major motivation of emigration eventually becamethe Irish Potato Famine.
The Irish Potato Famine:
Perhaps the most notable time in Irish history was The Irish Potato Famine….also known as the Great Hunger or, simply, The Famine, was a period of mass starvation and disease in Ireland from 1845 to 1852. Potatoes had been a staple for most of the population, and when disease devastated the crops, leaving them rotting in the fields, it constituted a major historical social crisis that had a significant impact on Irish society. This was further aggravated by the political system which had most farmers as tenants rather than land owners. It triggered an even greater loss of population than before: many millions more emigrated to the U.S., Canada and other countries….. so many people left that the Ireland lost about half of its population during this period.
As a result of this mass outflow of people, many people in the U.S. and Canada have a connection to Ireland, since almost one quarter of the population emigrated to the U.S. and Canada.
Ireland is a beautiful country filled with beautiful people and many Catholic shrines. Although there was an economic boom in the past few years (with its accompanying loss of spirituality), it has always been a country steeped in Catholic tradition.
There are two Irelands:
Northern Ireland, part of Great Britain and home, until recently, of a certain amount of unrest. It is now relatively peaceful.
And then there is the independent Republic of Ireland in the south.
Catholic places of interest in the Republic of Ireland
Attymass, Ballina (County Mayo): Father Patrick Peyton Memorial Centre
Ballintubber (County Mayo): Ballintubber Abbey
Cashel (County Tipperary): The Rock of Cashel
Clonmacnois: Ancient Monastic Settlement
Croagh Patrick (County Mayo): Ireland’s Holy Mountain
Drogheda (County Louth): Shrine of St. Oliver Plunkett
Dublin (County Dublin): Many Shrines & Places of Interest
Glendalough (County Wicklow): Monastic Settlement of Saint Kevin
Goughanne Barra (County Cork): Saint Finn Barr’s Oratory
Knock (County Mayo): Our Lady of Knock Shrine
Lough Derg (County Donegal): Saint Patrick’s Purgatory
Mount Melleray Abbey (County Waterford): Cistercian Abbey & Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes (repoted apparitions of Our Lady)
Skellig Michael (County Kerry): ancient Monastery
Order this great Rosary made from Connemara Marble (made in Ireland)
And if you are traveling to Western Ireland, here is one
of our favorite towns in which to base your trip: Westport