Latest news with #StPatrick
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
An ecumencial first on Croagh Patrick for Reek Sunday
People travelled from all over the island to partake in the centuries-old pilgrimage, which took place at Croagh Patrick over the entire weekend. This year's pilgrimage was again blessed by favourable weather conditions, with the surface mostly dry except for some occasional mist near the summit. Mass outside the chapel on the summit took place hourly between 8am and 2pm. Over 3,000 loaves of Holy Communion were distributed on the day. At 10.30am, a Church of Ireland priest led an ecumenical service for the first time in the history of the pilgrimage - which dates back to pagan times before St Patrick's arrival to Mayo in the fifth century. Francis Duffy, Archbishop of Tuam and Killala, was among those present for this year's pilgrimage, which took place as part of the Jubilee Year conceived by the late Pope Francis. The theme for this year's Jubilee was 'Pilgrims of Hope'. Fr John Kenny, Parish Priest of Westport, said this year's reek Sunday pilgrimage was 'unique occasion' as it coincided with both Jubilee Year and World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. This year, those who do the Reek Sunday, Lough Derg and Knock pilgrimages can receive a passport stamp and a memento to signify their completion of three pilgrimages. 'We're following in the footsteps of centuries of people coming up here today,' Fr Kenny told the Irish Independent. 'Since the time of Patrick - and even Patrick was following in the steps of Pagan worshippers - he made this a place of Christian worship. 'People came here to worship the sun and the sky which is shining in and out between the clouds at the moment, harvest time, spring time, planting time. He [St Patrick] came here for 40 days, 40 nights, and he Christianised the mountain, so to speak, making it a place of Christian worship, baptising local people in Aughagower after he came down from the mountain, and ever since his visit it has been a place we honour as Ireland's holy mountain.' ADVERTISEMENT Glen Duff travelled from Termonfeckin in County Louth to the place where he got engaged to his wife, Deborah in 2005. 'I got engaged just exactly where the altar is set up,' the father-of-four told the Irish Independent. Mr Duff, who climbed the mountain in his bare feet, said he found the ascent 'tough enough'. 'I'm not looking forward to going down because I did it before and going down is hard,' he said. A number of people carried Palestinian flags up the mountain while Lety Sanchez and Xiomara Cullen brought a Cuban flag. 'We came to tell the world that we are from Cuba,' explained Ms Sanchez who has been living in Sligo for a number of years. 'We are for Cuba independence, free of communism. Cuba is a communist country, it's a dictatorship and we all have to emigrate looking for a better life. 'We want Cuba to have independence, a better economy, freedom, to have so many things.' Ms Cullen told the Irish Independent: We're Catholics. Apart from asking for the freedom of Cuba. I am asking to get back to Cuba to see my family. We are here to ask for health for our family, for our friends, for everybody." Charlie Brady from Longford, a member of the Legion of Mary, was among those who distributed Miraculous Medals to hundreds of pilgrims at the bottom of Croagh Patrick. 'We need to get back to prayer again and Mass. A whole lot of people stopped going to Mass, we want to get them back on the rosary,' Mr Brady said. Andrew Canavan, a member of Grace Baptist Church in Galway city, distributed leaflets and copies of the New Testament to pilgrims passing the statue of St Patrick at the bottom of the mountain. 'Certainly, we see an acknowledgement of the Lord by people who are climbing this mountain for spiritual reasons,' Mr Canavan told the Irish Independent. 'So what I'm trying to talk to people about is that they can know for sure that they are going to heaven, that is because Christ fully paid for our sin. He paid, in full, my sin debt. So I am forgiven on the basis of his substitutionary debt for me. So, if I can have conversations and encourage people to believe it, it's been great. 'This is my first year,' he added. People have been very friendly, people seem dedicated, it's been great. The weather has been lovely.'
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Anti-vaccine campaigner Dolores Cahill urged to sell her castle to community
Ms Cahill, an anti-vaccine campaigner during the pandemic, bought White's Castle by the River Barrow for €450,000 in 2019 when she was chairperson of the Irish Freedom Party. She had planned to turn the 16th-century castle into a centre for political talks and events. However, she resigned from the party days after hosting a St Patrick's week gathering at the castle for an estimated 75 guests in March 2021 at the height of the Covid lockdown. A garda investigation led to several people being fined for 'non-essential travel'. The tower house needs repairs, with cracks found in the walls and the roof and battlements in need of immediate attention, local councillors have been told. Historian and former councillor Frank Taffe held 'preliminary discussions' with Ms Cahill late last year with a view to her selling the property. 'I made it very clear that it should be in public ownership, either the OPW, Clare County Council or the civic trust,' he said. 'We had agreed that we would have further discussions. 'She was prepared to discuss it, but there was no decision made. There was no indication that she would be able to transfer it or sell it.' Mark Leigh, a Labour Party councillor who helped found the Athy Civic Trust, said the organisation is working towards buying back the castle. 'It would be the wish of the people of Athy, of all the historical societies, and all the community groups that the castle comes back into the ownership of the people of Athy,' he said. Ms Cahill claimed children who wore face masks would have a lower IQ because of a lack of oxygen Land registry documents list Ms Cahill and John O'Brien as the registered owners since January 2020. Before that, it was sold for €1.3m in 2005 and went on sale in 2012 for €195,000. Ms Cahill was a professor at the UCD School of Medicine and chair of the Freedom Party when she began advocating against the government's strict public health guidelines on mask-wearing and social gatherings during the pandemic. She left her role as professor of translational science at the university in 2021 after students protested about her pronouncements on the Covid-19 virus. Ms Cahill claimed children who wore face masks would have a lower IQ because of a lack of oxygen and was fined for holding an anti-lockdown protest in London in 'flagrant breach' of restrictions. She is suing UCD and the university's governing board in the High Court. In a separate case, she issued legal proceedings this month against the Protected Disclosures Commissioner, the Health Products Regulatory Authority and the State. She was recently associated with the Irish Republican Brotherhood, which has listed her online as 'chief justice of the Sovereign Republic of Eire'. She is billed as co-host of the Weekend Truth Festival in Cumbria next month. The event will cover topics such as the campaign against 5G technology and the legal system.
The Journal
3 days ago
- General
- The Journal
8 priests respond to Reek Sunday callout as some opt for earlier climb due to All-Ireland clash
EIGHT PRIESTS HAVE responded to a callout to help administer sacraments at the top of Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday. Reek Sunday, also known as Garland Sunday, falls annually on the last Sunday of July but a change in how the GAA operates its county championships is impacting the celebrations for a second year in-a-row. There was already a shortage of celebrants for the occasion this Sunday. And now some pilgrims are opting to begin the traditional climb of the Mayo mountain earlier so that they avoid a clash with the All-Ireland Football final between Donegal and Kerry at 3.30pm. The pilgrimage sees thousands scale Mayo's Croagh Patrick – some barefoot – to celebrate St Patrick. Masses are held at the summit and the Eucharist and confessions are ministered by priests each hour from morning until late afternoon. Confessions will be available from 7.30am. Earlier this month, Administrator of Westport parish, Father John Kenny, issued a callout for priests who have the capacity to make the journey to join him among other clergymen on Croagh Patrick on 27 July. An ageing clergy has created difficulty in sourcing enough priests able to climb the mountain to attend to the thousands that turn out for the pilgrimage. Weekends are also priests' busiest times and it is difficult to find the numbers. Pilgrims atop the mountain in 2006. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Speaking to The Journal , Fr Kenny said eight priests have put their names forward in advance, but that others will turn up on the day. 'We have a core group to look after the pilgrimage, thank God.' Masses will be celebrated hourly in the old church on the top of Croagh Patrick from 8am to 2pm. In years gone by, Masses on top of the mountain would have been held every half hour. Fr Kenny said the main reason for cutting back is the lack of priests being able to take part. However, he added that the second reason was feedback from pilgrims that they liked 'quiet time' on the summit of the mountain as well. 'This means that it wouldn't be just Mass after Mass after Mass… that was a feeling I had myself.' However, there will also be an ecumenical service at 10.30am at the summit, as well as one at 2.30pm at the foot of the mountain. An ecumenical service brings together members of different Christian denominations. Church of Ireland parishes have been invited to attend both these services. 'That's kind of a new feature,' said Fr Kenny, 'and hopefully that will be a feature going forward on the occasional half hour.' Advertisement Meanwhile, Fr Kenny noted that the pilgrimage once more clashes with the All-Ireland Football final. 'People set their alarms earlier as a result and take part earlier, that's a feature in recent times,' said Fr Kenny. 'They still want to do the pilgrimage, but do it earlier than they would normally because of what's going on in Croke Park in the afternoon.' And as for Fr Kenny himself, he acknowledged that the 'logistics are difficult'. 'When I wasn't looking after the logistics I used to get more out of it, to be honest. 'While I'm in charge of the logistics, it can be difficult, but it's always great to witness the faith and witness the people turning out.' Fr Kenny also expressed hope that the pilgrimage can continue for the long-term and said he is 'sure the Lord will provide'. 'I can't tell the future but the perhaps we will have to be a Church in a new way and the ordained ministry will still be part of that, but we won't have the numbers that we used to.' Advice to pilgrims Nurse Marie Lyons of the Mayo Mountain Rescue Team has spent the last 20 Reek Sundays working in the medical tent on Croagh Patrick. She said many patients on Reek Sunday present to the medical tent because of a slip and urged people to wear the correct footwear. While she said ankle support is optional, she recommends people check the sole of the shoe. 'A rubber sole on a shoe, or preferably a boot, with a good grip is the most suitable.' And no matter your fitness levels and regardless of the weather, she reminded people to bring water. ' Every year scores of people ask us for water from the medical tent,' said Lyons. 'At the risk of sounding mean, bring your own! At least one litre, two if you sweat a lot.' She also recommended people take salty food to replace electrolytes and sugary food to sustain your energy. Meanwhile, Lyons note that some pilgrims are 'offering up the hardship for a specific purpose or intention'. 'People are often consumed with making it to the summit but then find it difficult to descend on overly fatigued legs. 'If you are really struggling with severe fatigue on the ascent, and your legs feel wobbly and flat, please do not continue. 'Stop, have a snack, enjoy the people and the scenery and descend. The mountain will stay put until your next visit.' She also reminded pilgrims that 'hypothermia is a real problem' and to be prepared for all weather conditions. She advised to bring a small rucksack with an extra couple of layers and a rain jacket. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Western Telegraph
19-07-2025
- Western Telegraph
Whitesands Beach named among the best in the world
From Australia to Hawaii, Barbados to the Maldives, Big Travel 7 has come up with a list of the best beaches in the world. Introducing the list, the travel experts said: "From the sun-soaked tropics to the icy edges of the poles, our planet is home to some truly spectacular beaches. Best-rated UK beaches for 2025 - Tripadvisor rankings "Whether you're dreaming of sipping a cocktail under the warm sun or taking a romantic stroll along a pristine shoreline, we've got you covered. "From pearly-white sands that stretch unbroken for kilometres to crystal-clear waters that invite you in for a swim or snorkel, these are the 50 most beautiful beaches in the world." The best beaches in the world The top 50 best beaches in the world, according to Big Travel 7, can be found on the map below: Why Whitesands Beach is among the best in the world Whitesands Beach, located near St David's, ranked 28th in Big Travel 7's list of the world's best. Describing the Pembrokeshire beach as "arguably Wales' best", the experts explained: "This Blue Flag beach is overlooked by the hill of Carn Llidi, while the white sands curve towards the rocky headland of St Davids Head. "A popular but quiet beach due to its size, it is well worth visiting next time you're in Wales, as it is a favourite among both locals and tourists. "The water quality is excellent, perfect for swimming in the summer months as well as snorkelling and scuba diving." This is not the first time Whitesands has been recognised as a top beach. Conde Nast Traveller also ranked it among the UK's best beaches for 2025, in a listicle released earlier this year. Whitesands Beach isn't just highly recommended by experts, but by visitors as well, boasting a 4.2 (out of 5) rating on Tripadvisor from 532 reviews. One person said: "Stunning beach and a great coastal path walk near the beach. Beach is great for families and surfing/ swimming. A great place to visit in summer or winter." Another visitor to the Pembrokeshire beach added: "An absolute gem! Beautiful dog friendly beach with the sound of crashing waves. "Footpath either side fir a view across the bay. Called into the cafe which is also dog friendly for an ice cream, the staff where really friendly and welcoming. "Plenty of parking available however £6 is expensive if you are only there for a short visit." Whitesands Beach comes highly recommended by visitors as well as travel experts. (Image: Tripadvisor) Things to do at Whitesands Beach Whitesands is described as "one of the most popular beaches in Pembrokeshire" by Visit Wales, and is said to be ideal for: Sandcastle building Paddling and swimming Surfing Windsurfering Kayaking Diving Angling Short walks along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path or to the summit of nearby Carn Llidi There are also traces of a 6th-century chapel to St Patrick buried beneath the dunes located behind Whitesand Beach. You may also be able to see some of the local wildlife while visiting the beach, with a variety of sea birds, seals and porpoises often spotted close to the shore, according to Visit Wales. The beach is accessible to wheelchair users. Visit Wales said: "A slipway provides easy access onto the sand and there are beach-friendly wheelchairs available for hire." There are also lifeguards on duty at various points throughout the year (see the Visit Wales website for more details and times). Lifeguards are on duty at Whitesands Beach at various times throughout the year. (Image: Tripadvisor) Is there a cafe at Whitesands Beach? There is a cafe (Whitesands Beach House), shop and surf hire located behind Whitesands Beach. Toilet and changing facilities are also available. There are more shops, cafes and other services in St David's, which is located just two miles from the beach. Is Whitesands Beach dog-friendly? Yes, Whitesands Beach is dog-friendly. However, there are restrictions in place between May and September, which means dogs must be kept on a lead. RECOMMENDED READING: Parking at Whitesands Beach There are parking spaces for around 60 cars above Whitesands Beach. Parking "can be a problem during the height of summer", Visit Wales says, but there is a Celtic Coaster shuttle bus (summer only) available which travels to the beach from The Oriel y Parc car park on the edge of St David's.
Extra.ie
12-07-2025
- Extra.ie
The Weekend Run with Liam Gaskin — A unique Mayo ride and a legend among sports bikes
I started this weekend ride just outside Castlebar in a suburb called Snugborough. The only reason I tell you that is because Snugborough sounds like a great place to live. The road from there to Newport had everything—an almost perfect road surface with lovely twists and bends. Along the 12 kilometres to Newport, I passed rivers, lakes, forests and bogland. Only in Ireland could you enjoy such a variety of landscapes in such a short distance. Newport is set in a wonderful location on the shores of Clew Bay. It has a disused railway viaduct over the Black Oak River, which runs through the town. The Railway viaduct over Black Oak River, Newport. Pic: Supplied I took the road to Westport alongside the Great Western Greenway. Living in Dublin, I'm not a massive fan of cycle tracks, but this one is exceptional. It facilitates walkers, joggers, and cyclists running from Westport to Newport and on to Achill. The great Western Greenway with Croagh Patrick in the distance. Pic: Supplied As a biker, I have nothing but praise for the road from Castlebar through Newport and on to Westport. I don't know if it's because of the Wild Atlantic Way or just that Mayo County Council is great at its job, but as a biker, you couldn't ask for a better road surface or a more scenic biking route. Westport is a picturesque town filled with great bars, coffee shops, and restaurants. If you like a good traditional Irish music session, Westport is the place for you. All day and well into the night, you'll be at a bar with a bandy. The Octagon in Westport with the great man himself on top, St Patrick. Pic: Supplied The only drawback to this lovely town is that it's choc-a-block with traffic. Even on a motorbike, it'll take you 15 to 20 minutes to get through it. I suggest when you get to the centre of the town, stop for a coffee and a slice of cake and watch the world go by. Leaving Westport, take the road to the harbour. As harbours go, this is a good one, with a vast terrace of stone-faced, three-story buildings housing a small Hotel, bars, and restaurants. It is really well laid out and well worth stretching your legs here. I point my sturdy steed towards Croagh Patrick, which dominates the skyline along this stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way. All along this next stretch of the run, you have Clew Bay on your right side and the imposing presence of Croagh Patrick in front. A thought struck me that we don't stop enough to take in the majesty of the country we live in. Croagh Patrick, shrouded in a veil of cloud. Pic: Supplied Tourists from across the globe spend thousands of dollars or euros to come to our shores and experience the unique beauty of this Island we call home. Yet we shoot by rarely stopping to take it all in. Clew Bay is stunning at this time of year; take some time to take it all in! Pic: Supplied My last and final stop was at one of my favourite places in Ireland, Staunton's Pub, literally nestled in the shadow of Croagh Patrick. I don't know quite why I feel very much at home here, but I do. I relax completely in this place. It may be the smell of the bog fire, or the best toasted sandwiches around or the seafood soup or just the friendliness of the staff and locals, but whatever it is, this place feels like home. I highly recommend a visit if you're in the area. T. Staunton, a fine establishment for drinking and dining. Pic: Supplied As always, click this link to the Detecht map for the route of this run. Remember, when you open the map, enlarge it to see the details. This is my last run out for a while, but I will be back with more ride-outs, 10 questions, stories about Irish bikers with huge hearts, and great runs around the World. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but apparently, you can give him the keys to a KTM 1290 Super Duke R and he can learn some for himself. I recently had the chance to take the KTM 1290 Super Duke R for a spin, and I have to say—it was an experience I didn't expect to enjoy as much as I did. This machine is a legend among sports bikes, having been introduced in 2015 and has since become a huge fan favourite. It was an experience I didn't expect to enjoy as much as I did. Pic: KTM This bike is everything you'd expect from KTM: raw power, precision engineering, and a surprisingly comfortable ride. As a laid-back rider myself, I'm not typically drawn to super bikes or sport bikes, but the Super Duke impressed me right from the start. Navigating tight spaces around a housing estate, the handling was sharp and intuitive, making the bike feel lighter than it actually is. Once I hit the motorway, the acceleration was nothing short of exhilarating — smooth, immediate, and utterly confidence-inspiring. Comfort-wise, it exceeded expectations. Even for someone like me — let's say I'm not in my 20s anymore—it was an easy and enjoyable ride. The riding modes (wet, dry, and fast) offer just the right amount of customisation depending on conditions and confidence levels, and the bike responded beautifully in each. Comfort-wise, it exceeded expectations. Even for someone like me — let's say I'm not in my 20s anymore—it was an easy and enjoyable ride. Pic: KTM The bike I rode came with the usual ABS and all the standard features. However, it was fitted with a Tech Pack which enables Track Mode, Quick Shifter, MSR Motor Slip Regulation and Adaptive Brake Light. I threw that in for all you tech-hungry nerds out there. The 1290 Super Duke is a textbook example of KTM's engineering brilliance. It's the machine that helped cement their reputation in the world of performance motorcycles, and even though KTM don't produce them anymore, their reputation is such that used 1290s are in huge demand. The 1290 Super Duke is a textbook example of KTM's engineering brilliance. Pic: KTM Although you can no longer buy a brand-new model, the good news is that 2 Wheels Motorcycles still has a few carefully selected units kicking around —probably waiting for another rider like me who thought he was 'too old for that sort of thing.' As I said to Charles, my main man in 2 Wheels, when I win the lottery, a touch of optimism there, the KTM 1290 will be in my collection, but it will travel on a trailer to Mondello to enjoy it on track days Change your tyres every five years at the latest. Even if you don't ride out much, the rubber will degrade and start to perish. Ride Safe, everyone.
