Latest news with #PentecostSunday
Irish Independent
a day ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Around the Districts: Ballyhea, Boherbue, Meelin, Rockchapel and Western Duhallow
Church news Mass Times – Thursday, June 5, 10 a.m.; Friday, June 6, 10 a.m.; Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m. and 7.30 p.m.; Sunday, June 8, 8.30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament will take place on Thursday after 10 a.m. Mass. Holy Communion – Only those receiving Holy Communion should approach the Altar and only on a seat-by-seat basis. Anniversary Masses – Booked Anniversary Masses are accepted on the understanding that Funeral Masses and month's mind Masses take precedence. Month of June – The month of June dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Feastdays for the coming week – Thursday, June 5, St Boniface, bishop and martyr; Friday, June 6, St Norbert, bishop; Saturday, June 7, St Colman, bishop; Sunday, June 8, Pentecost Sunday. New Crucifix – The parish has acquired a large out-door Crucifix from the Redemptorist Monastery in Esker, Co. Galway. To defray the purchase and transport costs a subscription list is now open for anyone who would like to support this initiative. Subscriptions may be left into the sacristy at any time. Collectors for June – 8.30 a.m. Mass: Paudie Morrissey. 11 a.m. Mass: Tadgh Mortell. Readers – Saturday, June 7: Ger. O'Shea. Sunday, June 8: Audrey Morrissey. Saturday, June 14: Louisa Carroll. Sunday, June 15: Mary Byrne. Church Altar Flower Arrangers – Saturday, June 7, and Saturday, June 14: Bernie Leahy. Irish Catholic Newspaper/Sacred Heart Messenger – The Irish Catholic newspaper and the Sacred Heart Messenger are available in the Porch for purchase. Irish Catholic €3, Sacred Heart Messenger €2. Pilgrimage to Medjugorje – Leaving Cork on August 20 to September 4. Early booking offers available. Money can be paid in instalments to spread out the cost. For more information, please contact Mary Cott, Group Leader 086 1220850. Church gate collections – No church gate collection taken up at St Mary's Church, Ballyhea is endorsed by the parish. Any group or organisation intending to collect outside the church gates are asked to present copies of their permits in the sacristy, together with copies of letters of authorisation of those collecting on their behalf. This should be done before the collection commences. Parent and Toddler Group The parent and Toddler Group in Ballyhea is now meeting Friday mornings from 10 a.m. to midday in the Parish Hall. Coffee and tea is provided. €3 donation please. Ballyhea National School enrolment. Application forms (Admission notice) for September 2025 are available on the School Website ( or by calling to the office at Ballyhea NS Completed forms to be returned as soon as possible. Prospective parents may contact the school at 083 1475817 for further information or to facilitate a school visit. GAA club news Lotto – Get your tickets before 5 p.m. on Saturday from Costcutters Ballyhea, Corbett Court, The Idle Hour or from any of the ticket sellers or they can be purchased online at Thank you for your continued support. The first three numbers of the National Lottery Main Draw will be the jackpot numbers. If a number higher than 42 is drawn in the first three, the draw will continue with the next number drawn under 42. The club appreciates the support of lottery players and supporters. Groundskeeper Position – A part-time position is available as Groundskeeper for 19.5 hours per week at Ballyhea GAA Must qualify for Community Employment. Please contact Kathleen at 086 836 97 64 for further details. Club membership – Membership fees for 2025 are currently being taken. Anyone wishing to pay online can do so by going to and selecting Ballyhea Club. Memberhip can also be paid to any committee member. All players must have membership paid before the commencement of all competitions. Membership fees for 2025: Adult €75, Adult Player €100, Juvenile player/student €50, Family €150, OAP/Unwaged €30. Ballyhea in Black and White – 'Ballyhea in Black and White' is a collection of memories from local photographer Michael McGrath and photos that have been collected. It features some great GAA and camogie memories from down through the years. Books can be purchased at Costcutters shop in Ballyhea for €20. Online Shop – The club's online shop is proving to be very popular. All the latest club gear can be purchased from the O'Neill's website. Check it out at BCommunity Alert Ballyhea Community Alert has successfully set up a Text Alert Network to immediately alert our community when an incident occurs. Prompt information to and from Gardaí deters criminal activity. If you are interested in becoming a member of our Text Alert Network please phone any of the following people for information and sign up details – Phil Ryan 087 2937465, Pat Daly 086 1220114, James Horgan 087 2572271, Willie Meaney 087 1936842, Con Walsh 086 8570355. The fee for this service is €10 annually. BOHERBUE Retirement gift A committee has been formed to make arrangements to recognise the upcoming retirement of our Parish Priest Rev Fr Jim Kennelly. Details of events will be communicated over the coming weeks to allow everyone in the Parish the opportunity to wish Fr Jim the best in his deserved retirement. In addition to these events the committee has also arranged to set up an account for his retirement gift. Parishioners from both Boherbue and Kiskeam areas and groups may wish to arrange their own personal gifts or to use this account according to their own preferences. The account details are as follows. Account name: Fr Kennelly Retirement Fund. Location: Newmarket Credit Union. IBAN: IE38NEEU99224810181853 The closing date is Friday July 11th. Please feel free to share these details within any organisation or clubs you may be involved in. The Committee also intend to insure that any costs associated with any of the celebrations are kept to a minimum and all details will be shared with the community at a future date. Knock pilgrimage The annual Boherbue/Kiskeam pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Wednesday June 25th. Details from Philomena on 029 76116 or 087 7500151or Maura on 029 76217. Thank You The Boherbue Girl Guides and Araglen Desmonds Bui Ladies football Mother's and Others group wish to sincerely thank all who supported their recent football blitz in aid of the Guides upcoming International Camp at Clongowes in August. Thanks to the teams who took part, those who supported the raffle, the sponsors or those who helped in anyway to make it a success. Nevin Cup Boherbue Nevin Cup squad scored a 5-19 to 2-7 win over St. John's on Friday evening last. The game attracted a big following to the Gneeves venue where the home side were on top throughout. They opened the scoring with four points which was followed by Cathal Ducey goal in the 11th minute and from there on it was clear there was only going to be one winner. Further goals from Adrian Murphy, who also netted a penalty in the second half, and Sean Og Sheehan plus a flurry of points left the half time score at 3-11 to 1-4. From the restart the game followed along the same pattern with Boher's final goal coming from the boot of Patrick Daly. Team: Donal Murphy; Bertie Buckley, Liam Daly, Padraig Aherne; Diarmuid Murphy, Niall Murphy, Darragh Tompkins; CJ O'Sullivan, Patk Daly; Sean Og Sheehan, Adrian Murphy, Timothy Murphy; Brian Herlihy, Dan Sheehan, Cathal Ducey. Subs: Richard Moynihan, Hugh Patrick O'Connor, Paul Cremin, Tim Murphy, Mike Murphy, Dermot Hickey. Cemetery Mass The annual Mass in Boherbue Cemetery takes place on this Friday night June 6th at 7.30pm. Lotto The numbers were 19, 24, 28, 29. Lucky Dip: €50 Eileen Mc Sweeney, Islandave; €20 each Fr Jim Kennelly PP; Jamie and Finn Lismire; Ml O'Sullivan, East End. On line John Aherne. Seller Tony Ankettell. MEELIN Cliona Hagan at Quinlans Quinlans Beer Garden presents Cliona Hagan in concert on Sunday 15th June. First up will be Glen Rambler from 4pm–6pm, followed by Cliona Hagan from 6pm-8pm. Tickets €20. Tel 087 7670755. ROCKCHAPEL Rockchapel Gathering Weekend The Rockchapel Gathering Weekend will take place from June 6th to 8th, promising a packed programme of entertainment for all ages: Friday, June 6th: The weekend opens with a concert at Bruach na Carraige at 8pm, featuring acclaimed Fermanagh band Tully, with support from Rockchapel's own McAuliffe Family. Saturday, June 7th: The ever-popular Community Cuppa returns, with music from Jim Kiely and Friends, and magic for the kids. Afternoon events include a kids' music session in Murphy's Bar hosted by John McNulty and a singing session in Paddy Molly's Bar hosted by Eibhlín and Liam Broderick. The day culminates in the Three Counties Challenge Variety Show in Rockchapel Community Centre. Sunday, June 8th: Festivities begin with a traditional Trad Mass, followed by a lively Craft Fair on the Church grounds. Family fun abounds with an Animal Roadshow, face painting, art corner, kids' tractor run, and more. Food and refreshments will be available all day. The weekend will close with a free outdoor concert, starting with Up in Smoke (3.30 to 5.30pm), followed by The Rising (6pm-8pm), and DJ Donal keeping the party going into the night. Pub sessions will also take place nightly, with all musicians welcome to join. This year's Rockchapel Gathering promises to be the biggest and most entertaining yet. For updates, visit the official Rockchapel Gathering Weekend website or follow on social media. WESTERN DUHALLOW Cullen Feis On this Sunday June 8th the village of Cullen will celebrate its annual Feis Laitiarain, one of the oldest annual events anywhere in the country. Starting at 12 noon with competitions in Singing, Music including Bands, Dancing etc. The age groups are under 8, 8 to 10yrs, 10 to 12, 12 to 14 and over 14. There will also be the annual sports which too attract a lot of competitors, novelty events and many extra items that create a Carnival atmosphere. Tea, coffee etc will also be available. The award winning local Pipe Band too will give a recital. Further details from 086 2173796 or 087 2316298. Cemetery Masses Knocknagree: Friday, June 6th 8pm. Boherbue: Friday, June 6th 7.30pm. Kiskeam: Monday, June 9th 7.30pm. Gneeveguilla: Monday, June 9th 8pm. St Mary's, Millstreet: Monday, June 9th 7.30pm. Drishane: Tueday, June 10th 7.30pm. Nohoval: Wednesday, June 11th 8pm. Ballydesmond: Sunday, June 29th. Cullen: Thursday, July 3rd 7.30pm. Cullen: Old Cemetery Thursday, 24th 7.30pm. Invitation On Sunday June 22nd the 11am Mass in the Church of the Sacred Heart will be the Retirement Mass from the Kiskeam side of the Parish for Fr Jim Kennelly PP. Everyone welcome. Kiskeam Lotto The numbers were 7, 18, 20, 25. Lucky Dip €50 Vincent Guiney, Knocknanough. €20 each Francis O'Keeffe, Knockeenadillane; Jerome Casey, Drominargle, Boherbue; Regina Sheehan, online Seller Christy O'Keeffe.
Irish Independent
30-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Around the Districts: Ballyhea, Buttevant and Kilbrin
Mass Times – Friday, May 30, 10 a.m.; Saturday the 31st 10.000 a.m. and 7.30 p.m.; Sunday, June 1, 8.30 a.m. and 11 a.m.; Monday, June 2, midday; Tuesday, June 3, midday; Wednesday, June 4, midday (Latin); Thursday, June 5, 10 a.m.; Friday, June 6, 10 a.m.; Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m. and 7.30 p.m.; Sunday, June 8, 8.30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament will take place on Thursday after 10 a.m. Mass. Month of June – The month of June dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Feastdays for the coming week – Monday, June 2, St Marcellinu's and Peter martyrs; Tuesday, June 3, St Kevin, abbot; Wednesday, June 4, Ss. Charles Lwanga and Companions, martyrs; Thursday, June 5, St Boniface, bishop and martyr; Friday, June 6, St Norbert, bishop; Saturday, June 7, St Colman, bishop; Sunday, June 8, Pentecost Sunday. White Fathers – Fr Diarmuid Sheehan of the White Fathers wishes to thank the parish for its generous support during his visit last week. Collectors for June – 8.30 a.m. Mass: Paudie Morrissey. 11 a.m. Mass: Tadgh Mortell. Readers – Saturday, May 31: Elizabeth Ryan. Sunday, June 1: Sarah Barrett. Saturday, June 7: Ger. O'Shea. Sunday, June 8: Audrey Morrissey. Saturday, June 14: Louisa Carroll. Sunday, June 15: Mary Byrne. Church Altar Flower Arrangers – Saturday, May 31: Gretta Donegan Kenny. Saturday, June 7, and Saturday, June 14: Bernie Leahy. New Crucifix – The parish has acquired a large out-door Crucifix from the Redemptorist Monastery in Esker, Co. Galway. To defray the purchase and transport costs a subscription list is now open for anyone who would like to support this initiative. Subscriptions may be left into the sacristy at any time. Pilgrimage to Medjugorje – Leaving Cork on August 20 to September 4. Early booking offers available. Money can be paid in instalments to spread out the cost. For more information, please contact Mary Cott, Group Leader 086 1220850. Blessed Well Mass Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, May 21, at 7.30 p.m. in Ballyhea Blessed Well by Monsignor O'Brien. In attendance were the First Holy Communion Children. It was a lovely evening and the weather was glorious. Ballyhea Parish Choir were also in attendance and a very good crowd turned out. Parent and Toddler Group The parent and Toddler Group in Ballyhea is now meeting Friday mornings from 10 a.m. to midday in the Parish Hall. Coffee and tea is provided. €3 donation please. Ballyhea National School enrolment. Application forms (Admission notice) for September 2025 are available on the School Website ( or by calling to the office at Ballyhea NS Completed forms to be returned as soon as possible. Prospective parents may contact the school at 083 1475817 for further information or to facilitate a school visit. GAA club news Lotto – The numbers drawn on May 24 were 11, 12, 42. There was no winner of the jackpot of €3,100. Lucky tips winners: €30 Bernie Crowley c/o Bernie Crowley, €30 Trevor O'Sullivan c/o Online lotto €30 John Coleman c/o Costcutter Ballyhea. Next draw is on Saturday, May 31, for a jackpot of €3,200. Get your tickets before 5 p.m. on Saturday from Costcutters Ballyhea, Corbett Court, The Idle Hour or from any of the ticket sellers or they can be purchased online at Thank you for your continued support. Groundskeeper Position – A part-time position is available as Groundskeeper for 19.5 hours per week at Ballyhea GAA Must qualify for Community Employment. Please contact Kathleen at 086 836 97 64 for further details. Club membership – Membership fees for 2025 are currently being taken. Anyone wishing to pay online can do so by going to and selecting Ballyhea Club. Memberhip can also be paid to any committee member. All players must have membership paid before the commencement of all competitions. Membership fees for 2025: Adult €75, Adult Player €100, Juvenile player/student €50, Family €150, OAP/Unwaged €30. Community Alert Ballyhea Community Alert has successfully set up a Text Alert Network to immediately alert our community when an incident occurs. Prompt information to and from Gardaí deters criminal activity. If you are interested in becoming a member of our Text Alert Network please phone any of the following people for information and sign up details – Phil Ryan 087 2937465, Pat Daly 086 1220114, James Horgan 087 2572271, Willie Meaney 087 1936842, Con Walsh 086 8570355. The fee for this service is €10 annually. BUTTEVANT North Cork Vintage Club The North Cork Vintage and Classic Car Club, held a Vintage,and Classic Car Runon Sunday last, May 25th in the North Cork and Limerick area, with the headquarters in Buttevant. There was a very big turnout, of all makes and models of vehicles on the run, which were also available, to be seen, on their return from the run. The organising committee were more than delighted and appreciative of all who supported their latest venture. The committee wishes to thank all vehicle owners, and drivers who attended and supported, the event, the proceeds from which will benefit local charities. Your support is greatly appreciated. Heritage Group Buttevant Heritage Group are celebrating Irish Walled Town Network Day, on July 5th, and have organised a programme of events to coincide with this occasion. Anybody who may wish to exhibit on this day should contact Francis Trimm at the Post office. There will be numerous events taking place in the playground including medieval combat enactment, animal exhibits, face painting and many other items. All events will take place within the 'Green Area' under the watchful eye of Fionn Mac Cumhail's sculpture which was sculptured by local artist Michael Culloty. Your support will be greatly appreciated as a programme to suit all tastes will take place. Saturday Vigil Mass Saturday Vigil Mass for the month of May will take place in Lisgriffin Church. Lisgriffin Church Lisgriffin Church, is to undergo renovations, including interior painting, and exterior power-washing, and treatment, in the Autumn. A sloped pathway, at the church entrance, is also on the agenda. Extra street lighting, is to be provided, in the vicinity of the Church area. Corpus Christi Corpus Christi procession will take place on Saturday June 14th to Buttevant G.A.A., grounds, where benediction will take place. The route will also take in Military Road, and Barrack Place. '40 Years On' Cahirmee Singers have long been established in Buttevant and have performed far and wide and are much acclaimed for their choice of song and music showcasing their talents to many appreciative audiences who are loud in their praise of this talented group of performers. To celebrate their 'fortieth anniversary' the group will hold a celebratory concert on Saturday May 24th in Saint Marys' Church Buttevant (by kind permission of Fr Baker P.P. There will be several guest acts on the night with the group also performing. Tickets will be pre-sold and can be purchased from Mary Guiney (0879729600) and/or Mary Shinnick (086 7936318) and also at Centra Buttevant. Bingo The weekly bingo session continues to be held on Monday night in the local G.A.A. where a substantial monetary jackpot can be won the first together with other numerous games associated with bingo sessions. Games get under way from 8p.m. Running Club Buttevant running training continues on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7.15p.m. in the G.A.A. club grounds. Over-18-years is required and hi-vis gear is also compulsory. Lotto The locally promoted lotto draw continues tobe held on Thursday night in Buttevant Soccer Club Pavillion where a monetary jackpot of €5700 can be won or shared on the choice of four lucky numbers to match the four lucky numbers drawn on draw night. Draw cards can be purchased locally from club members and some appointed local retail outlets. Your support is greatly appreciated. Walking Club Buttevant Walking Club continue their weekly sessions on Monday nights from 7p.m. Assembly point is at Scoil Mhuire na Trocaire. Cul Camp Buttevant G.A.A. club is holding their annual Cul Camp from July 7th to July 11th inclusive again this year in their local grounds. KILBRIN Kilbrin GAA Duhallow Hurling League Semi Final: Our hurlers play Banteer in the Supervalu Hurling league semi final next Monday night, June 2nd at 6:30pm in Rathcoole. Please support the lads. Keep an eye out on Club Zap, our social media pages and club texts for updates. Club Zap: Kilbrin GAA have partnered with ClubZap, a leading club management platform that helps streamline communication, payments, and updates all in one place. With ClubZap, our members can stay up to date with fixtures, results, news, and events while also making membership payments and booking fundraising events seamlessly. This partnership will enhance how we connect with players, coaches, and supporters, making club life easier and more efficient for everyone. Download the ClubZap app from the App Store on iPhone or the Google Play Store on Android, create an account and search for Kilbrin GAA and follow us. Congratulations: Well done and congratulations to Colaiste Treasa Kanturk who won the under 14 football county final last Tuesday, well done to all our local lads involved. Scoreboard training: We are looking for volunteers to operate our new electronic scoreboard for match days. If you are interested in getting trained up, please contact us on 089 974 0093, through one of the club's officers or via our social media pages. Club updates: If you would like to be added to our GAA group texts where you will receive updates on all things Kilbrin GAA, please let one of our club members know or contact us on 089 974 0093 or through our social media pages. Walkway: The evenings are getting brighter so get out and utilise this brilliant community facility. The lights will come on at dusk and turn off at 9:30pm 7 days a week. Club Lotto: There was no winner of our recent jackpot. The numbers drawn were 6, 14, 21 & 26. Our lucky dip winners were: Paudie O' Callaghan, Conor Breen, Nora O' Connor, Denis Scully & Caroline Lehane. Our next lotto jackpot is €6,200 and takes place on May 28th. You can play our lotto on our club website here: Club shop: Kilbrin GAA have partnered with Azzurri Sports and have opened a club shop with them. Check out their website for a range of leisure and training gear We also have a club shop with O' Neills who have a range of various leisurewear and training gear. Check them out here: Social media: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and X (formally Twitter) and help grow our page @KibrinGAAClub. We keep you up to date with match fixtures, results, club projects and local ongoings in the GAA club. You can contact us directly through all of these outlets. Badminton news Anna Lucey O'Sullivan secures another All Ireland title with Club Carrigaline winning the All Ireland C Club Badminton final V Navan in Baldoyle on Saturday. Anna played both singles and mixed and they won all games well to secure the title. Well done Anna Taekwon-do news Kanturk taekwon-do academy held their first Chon-Ji friendship tournament at scoil Mhuire Kanturk on Sunday 25th May. Kilbrin winners on the day were Fiadh Dennehy winning gold in her pattern and sparring. Conor O'Riordan winning gold in sparring and bronze in his pattern. Bingo Bingo is held every Monday night in the Kilbrin Social Club at 8.30 sharp. Tea, coffee, sweets and treats and bar refreshments available. A Lovely warm comfortable environment to be in for these Spring evenings. Jackpot is €1,600 in 51 calls. Thank you to all that support week in and week out. It is much appreciated. Pickleball Pickleball continues every Thursday from 8pm in the Social Club Hall. We always welcome current and new members to this fun and exciting new sport! Squash Did you know Kilbrin sports and social is host to one of North Cork's last remaining active squash courts. Founded in 1980, this club had upwards of 50 members back in 2009 with huge juvenile interest leading to them competitive games & success. For further information contact: Brendan Barrett at 0872789501 or kilbrinsquashclub@ or the community page here. Kilbrin Village Hub Is your son or daughter looking for a quiet place to study for their upcoming Leaving Cert, consider using the hub! Book your day for study or remote office working at We have 2 remote work stations with 500mb fibre broadband, tea/coffee facilities, fridge, free parking. Student rates available. Contact Bas on (087) 1805511 for further details or kilbrincc@ For any correspondence or information to be put on the Kilbrin notes, please contact Bas (087) 1805511 or Noel (086) 6001873.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why does the UK have 2 bank holidays in May? The history behind them
The UK has a handful of bank holidays scheduled each year and on occasion, we sometimes get an extra one thrown in. Whether you work on bank holidays or enjoy a long weekend, you might wonder why there are two bank holidays taking place in May. Here's what we know about the two upcoming bank holidays and why they get a spot on the UK calendar each year. In May, the two bank holidays take place in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland but some bank holidays are different in each country. If you've wondered what the history behind the two bank holidays is, look no further. May Day, also known as early May bank holiday, takes place on Monday, May 6 this year while the spring bank holiday will be on Monday, May 26. The BBC explains: 'The most famous example is the first May bank holiday, commonly known as May Day. 'It's the one traditionally associated with people dancing with ribbons around a Maypole on a village green and crowning a young girl as a May Queen. 'May Day normally takes place on the first Monday in May.' Professor Julie-Marie Strange, a historian at Durham University, told the BBC: 'May Day in Britain springs from much older seasonal customs associated with the agricultural economy.' May has always been a busy month for farmers and the May Day bank holiday was a chance for them to relax before the busy times ahead. While the first Monday of May is May Day, the final Monday in May is the spring bank holiday. The Economic Times said: 'Initially, the spring bank holiday began as the Monday after Pentecost. It is also known as Whitsun or Whit Monday in the United Kingdom. 'It is the enactment of 'The Banking and Financial Dealings Act of 1971' that shifted this holiday to the last Monday of May. This was done after a trial period of this arrangement from 1965-1970.' It added: 'Whit Monday falls the day after Pentecost Sunday, a significant event in the Christian calendar. 'Pentecost Sunday occurs 50 days after Easter and is determined by the lunar calendar. 'It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles following the death of Jesus, which led to the first sermon and marked the birth of the Christian Church. Recommended reading: Will the UK get an extra bank holiday for VE Day's 80th anniversary? Will Royal Mail post my letters and parcels on a bank holiday? Full list of UK Bank Holidays for 2025 'This day is celebrated by Christians of Catholic, Protestant, and Lutheran faiths with special church services.' Whit Monday is celebrated 'in many historically Christian countries in Europe, including Belgium, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland.' This year, we still have a few bank holidays left, including early May (May 5), spring (May 26), summer (August 25), Christmas Day (December 25) and Boxing Day (December 26).
Glasgow Times
05-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Why does the UK have 2 bank holidays in May every year?
Whether you work on bank holidays or enjoy a long weekend, you might wonder why there are two bank holidays taking place in May. Here's what we know about the two upcoming bank holidays and why they get a spot on the UK calendar each year. Why do we have two bank holidays in the UK in May? In May, the two bank holidays take place in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland but some bank holidays are different in each country. If you've wondered what the history behind the two bank holidays is, look no further. May Day, also known as early May bank holiday, takes place on Monday, May 6 this year while the spring bank holiday will be on Monday, May 26. The BBC explains: 'The most famous example is the first May bank holiday, commonly known as May Day. 'It's the one traditionally associated with people dancing with ribbons around a Maypole on a village green and crowning a young girl as a May Queen. 'May Day normally takes place on the first Monday in May.' Professor Julie-Marie Strange, a historian at Durham University, told the BBC: 'May Day in Britain springs from much older seasonal customs associated with the agricultural economy.' May has always been a busy month for farmers and the May Day bank holiday was a chance for them to relax before the busy times ahead. While the first Monday of May is May Day, the final Monday in May is the spring bank holiday. The Economic Times said: 'Initially, the spring bank holiday began as the Monday after Pentecost. It is also known as Whitsun or Whit Monday in the United Kingdom. 'It is the enactment of 'The Banking and Financial Dealings Act of 1971' that shifted this holiday to the last Monday of May. This was done after a trial period of this arrangement from 1965-1970.' It added: 'Whit Monday falls the day after Pentecost Sunday, a significant event in the Christian calendar. 'Pentecost Sunday occurs 50 days after Easter and is determined by the lunar calendar. 'It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles following the death of Jesus, which led to the first sermon and marked the birth of the Christian Church. Recommended reading: 'This day is celebrated by Christians of Catholic, Protestant, and Lutheran faiths with special church services.' Whit Monday is celebrated 'in many historically Christian countries in Europe, including Belgium, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland.' What bank holidays are there left in 2025? This year, we still have a few bank holidays left, including early May (May 5), spring (May 26), summer (August 25), Christmas Day (December 25) and Boxing Day (December 26).
RTÉ News
26-04-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Private meeting brings defining image from Rome
Given there were so many leaders gathered in the Vatican today, it's understandable that it was an opportunity for discussions. As world leaders arrived in St Peter's Square, it was confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had met with US President Donald Trump prior to the funeral. A picture confirming this was then released while the ceremony was underway. It is a powerful image of the two men in the vast basilica with two chairs pulled up, intensity in their faces. A second picture, also captured before the funeral, shows French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky speaking. Arguably, the pictures which were released during the funeral mass became the story of the day. What would the "bridge-builder" Pope Francis have thought about it all? Given his continuous calls for peace coupled with his humility, there's little doubt that he would have welcomed the engagement. If it overshadowed the final celebration of his life in terms of news, it did not impact the crowd of 200,000 people who came to say farewell. And it was the people that mattered most to Francis. Rome and Vatican City are returning to normal following the funeral this morning. Many world leaders have already left, some barriers have been removed and people have left the area of St Peter's. Easter celebrations will continue until Pentecost Sunday, as is tradition within the Catholic Church. So too will the speculation around the pope's successor, which is the next phase in the current process.
