The 2026 annual Mass for Mervue Pioneer Centre is on Friday 12 June, 2026, at 8pm
Venue: Back room of Mervue Church.
All Pioneers from the Galway region are invited to attend.
Members who qualify for a membership pin (10, 25, 50 or 60 years), please phone 087 214 1070, before 7 June.
Join in praying for peace with Pope Leo.
See the livestream here:
https://www.nationalshrine.org/Mass/
(other links TBA)
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| Image adapted from Gabriel Philadelpho/Wikimedia Commons, CCby4.o |
Dates and times for 2026 summer-seas Cemetery Masses have started to be announced.
More details will be added to this post as they become available.
Ballinacourty (Clarinbridge): Friday 31 July, 7:30pm
Claregalway: Monday 1 June, 7:30pm
Oranmore Village: Monday 3 August, 7pm
Kilcamin (Maree) Friday 7th August, 7:30pm
Cemetery Masses or Blessing of the Graves is an annual tradition in Ireland.
One day every year, a priest visits each cemetery and says an outdoor Mass in memory of all the people who have been buried there. In large graveyards, this usually happens on Sunday - so the day becomes known as Cemetery Sunday. In small cemeteries, it often happens on a weekday.
People prepare for this by cleaning and decorating family graves
Live Jesus! And by His wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5)
A three day silent retreat, based on the life of St Thérèse of Lisieux, sacred scripture and psychology is being held at Knock retreat centre in Mayo.
Dates: 9am 15th June to 10am 19th June 2026.
The retreat will by led by Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales priest, Rev. Fr. Isaac John MSFS, and include spiritual sharing by Rev. Sr. AnnMaria, S.H who is the Evangelisation Chairperson (Director of New Evangelisation) for the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Great Britain.
Contact for bookings is Monica Gahan:
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| Photo from Wikipedia (adapt) |
There are two well-known lakes in Ireland which are called "Lough Derg".
Lough Derg (Shannon) is a large lake on the River Shannon, which is a major boating and tourist destination. It borders counties Clare, Galway, and Tipperary - and is usually the only option Google search gives if you've been searching for things in Galway.
It is not a traditional pilgrimage site, but the Lough Derg Way is a 70km walking route from Limerick City to Dromineer, County Tipperary, which includes some religious sites including St Flannan's Cathedral in Killaloe and Millenium Cross on the summit of Laghtea hill.
Lough Derg (County Donegal) is a smaller lake located near the village of Pettigo in County Donegal in the north-west of Ireland. It is famous as an ancient place of Christian pilgrimage.
Station Island, also known as St. Patrick's Purgatory, is an island in the lough which now is the centre of a major pilgrimage programme.
The traditional pilgrimage is a 3-day experience, which includes prayer and quiet reflection which are heightened by physical challenges including bare feet, staying awake for 24-hour Vigil and fasting (one small meal is provided each day). However there are other options for visiting Station Island, including a one-day retreat which does not require fasting or barefoot walking.
More information about retreats at St Patrick's Purgatory is available on their website.
Galway-based Dominican Fr Conor McDonough is one of the speaker's at this years Ignite Ireland evangelisation conference.
Titled "Embers info flames", the event is being organised by the Irish Dominican friars.
The keynote speaker is American author, theologian, former Presbyterian pastor and now Roman Catholic apologist and teacher at the the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, Dr Scott Hahn.
Other speakers include:
Date: Saturday 23 May 2026,
Time: 9am to 7pm
Location: Dublin Convention Centre
The 2026 Summer Retreat (previously called the Ladies and Men’s retreats) at Glenstal Abbey in County Limerick will be held as two one-day retreats on 24th and 25th of June, 2026.
Each day begins with registration and refreshments at 10am.
The programme includes Mass, Lunch, a Holy Hour with optional confession, and afternoon tea.
Each day ends at 5pm, but participants are welcome to stay to stay for Vespers (ie evening prayer) at 6pm.
Places must be booked in advance - by emailing events@glenstal.ie or phoning 091 621 005.
Cost is $50 per person.
Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ireland
American priest and digital evangelist, Father Mike Schmitz, will host his Parables Tour show in the National Stadium Dublin’s, on 20 July 2026.
This event will present the message of the Gospel in a novel, energetic and engaging style that speaks into lives today.
Young people (age 14+) from parishes, ecclesial movements and youth groups, and especially those who attended the Jubilee of Youth in Rome are invited to attend.
The Irish Bishops’ Council for Evangelisation, Catechetics and Pastoral Renewal, will host a special Mass at 5.00pm on 20 July in Saint Teresa’s Church, Donore Avenue, Dublin, at which Father Schmitz will preach.
Tickets from (from €49.75) Ticketmaster: https://www.ticketmaster.ie/artist/5466199?venueId=198253
The people from the archdiocese of Tuam joining with Waterford and Lismore for an annual pilgrimage to Knock shrine.
Date: Sunday May 3rd 2026
Followed by a Eucharistic Blessing and outdoor Rosary procession (weather permitting)
A bus is leaving Athenry (Arch carpark) at 10:30am on the day.
Bookings, call Assumpta 087 27006061 or Vincent 087 293 9367
