Press Releases17 Feb 2025

Pancakes and Prayer for Lent!

Young people encouraged to raise money for South Sudan schools

Bishops’ Appeal and the Church of Ireland Youth Department (CIYD) have teamed up to encourage all Church of Ireland youth groups / youth clubs / schools to take part in Pancakes and Prayer, a special initiative for Lent 2025, focussing on several schools in South Sudan within the Dioceses of Ibba and Maridi. The schools are all part of the Fields of Life Thrive Programme which helps every child to say: “I am educated, I am fed, I am safe and I am loved.”

Press Releases14 Feb 2025

Appointment of Dean of Down

The Rt Revd David McClay, Bishop of Down and Dromore, has appointed the Revd Henry Blair as Dean of Down. Henry will be instituted as rector of the Lecale Area Mission Partnership (LAMP) on Wednesday 26 February and installed as Dean in Down Cathedral on Sunday 2 March.

Press Releases13 Feb 2025

Webinar on Anti–Racist Work in Our Dioceses and Parishes

The Primate’s Reference Group on Ethnic Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Justice invites you to join us for a webinar discussion on using the Irish Council of Churches’ toolkit for anti–racist work in our dioceses and parishes.

Press Releases06 Feb 2025

Belfast Welcomed Dr. Lorna Gold: A Celebration of Faith, Climate Action and Community

From 1st–3rd February 2025, over three days of inspiring conversations, heartfelt reflections and a renewed call to action, Belfast played host to Dr. Lorna Gold in her first official engagements as the new Executive Director of the Laudato Sì Movement. Her visit, at the invitation of the 4 Corners Festival, brought together faith leaders, climate advocates and community members, all united by a shared commitment to caring for our common home.

Press Releases05 Feb 2025

Ecumenical hospitality: Holy Trinity Westport temporarily relocates to St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church at their kind invitation

Sunday 2 Feb 2025 was an ecumenically significant and moving day for Westport Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic communities alike, when for the first time and memorably, the congregation of Holy Trinity Church of Ireland Church celebrated Holy Communion in St. Mary’s Church on the Mall.

Press Releases05 Feb 2025

St Brigid’s Cathedral Kildare Celebrates Patronal Festival

In honour of St. Brigid’s Day, a special setting of the Birr Mass was performed in St. Brigid’s cathedral, Kildare as part of the cathedral’s Patronal Festival last Sunday. Written by Birr Choral Society member Peter Whyte to mark 50 years of the Choral Society, the Birr Mass is dedicated to the Society and its director, Michael Hanna, and scored for four–part choir, organ, trumpet and clarinet.

Press Releases05 Feb 2025

A Reflection on St Brigid

St Brigid of Kildare lived from 450–524 AD and is one of the great triad of Irish saints, alongside St Patrick and St Columba/Colmcille. The trio are celebrated as the key figures who spread Christianity throughout Ireland in the fifth and sixth centuries. The remains of all three are said to be buried together at Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, Co Down.

Press Releases05 Feb 2025

Belfast Cathedral Appeal Supports 108 Charities

Representatives of 108 local charities received a share of the £200,000 raised by the 2024 Black Santa Appeal when they gathered in Belfast Cathedral on February 2 for the annual Good Samaritans Service.

Press Releases31 Jan 2025

The Effects of Storm Éowyn

As many counties were left reeling from the effects of Storm Éowyn last Friday, the reality of damage to property and infrastructure only became clear over the weekend. Some of the worst affected areas were along the western and north–western coasts, and the midlands. In many areas, the lack of running water and electricity has hampered clean–up operations, with many homes and businesses facing long delays for repairs.

Press Releases30 Jan 2025

Book your place for the Marriage Council Couples Retreat