Outpouring Convention 2026

The Power House International is holding a three-day Outpouring Convention of worship, revival, prayer and ministry.   

The theme is Ezekiel 39:29 — “And I will not hide my face anymore from them, when I pour out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, declares the Lord GOD”.

Date:  Friday, August 14, to Sunday, August 16, 2026

Location:  The Power House International, Unit 22, Oldenway Business Park, Ballybrit, Galway - H91 958A

Convenor:  Rev. David Richman, working with Dr Francis Wale Oke of the Calvary Grace College of Bishops

Guest speakers / ministers: Bishop and Mama Francis Wale Oke (Nigeria) Felix ‘Remi’ Adejumo (Nigeria), Segun Lana (North America), Bimbo Animashaun (Nigeria), Nick Park (Ireland), Pastor John Ahern (Ireland) and Olumuyiwa Ojo (North America).

Programme 

• 6:30pm Friday:  Worship and Revival Service 
• 1.30pm Saturday:  Episcopal Ordination 
• 11am Sunday:  a Thanksgiving Celebration

Admission is free. 

Register to attend at https://www.thepowerhouseinternational.org/events/outpouring-2026

"How to Build a Church" - craft workshops

St Nicholas Collegiate Church are hosting a series of workshops,  as part of National Heritage Week

These look at the craft-skills needed to build and maintain medieval church-buildings and include woodworking, stone carving, iron forging, textile design, and stained glass creation.

One session (Woodcarving on 17th August: spatula carving) will be free.    Others are charged at commercial rates.

See details and book tickets on their website:  www.stnicholas.ie/events - numbers are limited and bookings are needed for all sessions.

 

Lady Day Mass in Athenry

A gathering of hope, healing and community on the feast of the Assumption  (15 August 2026).

Meet in Market Square at 2:15pm  for the 1.3km walk to Lady's Well, Kingsland, South Athenry

National Novena to Our Lady of Knock, 2026

 The 2026 National Novena to Our Lady of Knock is being held from 13 - 21 August.

The theme is "Sheltered in God's Love"

Daily programme

• A guided tour at 11am, beginning at the Information Centre
• Workshops with guest speaker at 12.45pm in the Prayer Centre
• Anointing of the Sick at 2.30pm
• Ceremony in the Basilica at 3pm and 8pm
• Rosary procession after the afternoon ceremony
• Candlelight procession after the evening ceremony
• ‘An Acre of Shelter’ Celebrating 50 years of Knock Basilica - a temporary exhibition at Knock Museum

Themed Guided Tours will focus on a number of themes including behind the scenes tours of Knock Basilica, Artworks at Knock Shrine and the Apparition Witnesses.

Guest Speakers

• Thursday 13th: Mary Kenny (broadcaster and author) - Faith in Full View
• Friday 14th: ‘Aidan Gallagher -  Cenacolo Community, an international Catholic community founded to help people rediscover hope, purpose, and freedom through a life of prayer, friendship, and shared work. 
• Saturday15th: 
  3pm  Bishop Niall Coll, Bishop of Raphoe - Our Lady, Quiet Shelter of God's Love
  8pm Niamh Mc Cann - Beyond the Rainbow
• Sunday 16th
  3pm Bishop Kevin Doran, Achonry and Elphin  - Rebuilding the City of God  - Pope Leo XIV and the New Technology
  8pm  Dr Sandra Cullen, Associate Professor of Religious Education at Dublin City University - Faith in the Era of AI
• Monday17th: Sheila Murphy, Mayo County Council Biodiversity Officer - From Mass to Meadow, living our faith outdoors
• Tuesday, August 18th: Mario Nunis - Faith in my Pocket
• Wednesday, August 19th: David Wells - Enjoy your Life - Making it Happen
• Thursday, August 20th: Deacon Mark Paine, Archdiocese of Birmingham, primary education and special needs educator
• Friday. August 21st
  3pm Fr Paul F. Murphy  - Defence Chaplain
  8pm  Fr. Richard Gibbons l

Daily Workshops

• Thursday August 13th: ‘Come Away To A Quiet Place’ - Knock Shrine Prayer Guidance Team
• Friday, August 14th: ‘Hope House: Where recovery begins’ - Sr Dolores Duggan and Sr Attracta Canny
• Saturday, August 15th: ‘CJ’S Rainbow: Never Stop Living’ - Niamh Mc Cann
• Sunday, August 16th: ‘Who will show us the way?’ (Ps. 4:6) - Sandra Cullen
• Monday, August 17th: ‘Church Return to Nature’ - Sheila Murphy
• Tuesday, August 18th: ‘Youth Ministry in Action’ - Knock Youth Ministry Team
• Wednesday, August 19th: Do not give up meeting together! Rethinking the meetings we hold. - David Wells
• Thursday, August 20th: ‘A Church for Everyone: Building a Community of Welcome - Deacon Mark Paine
• Friday. August 21st: ‘Sheltered in God’s Love’ - Knock Shrine Prayer Guidance Team

One-day events

Witness Walk - Friday 21st, 6:45pm - 7:45pm

From the Chapel of Reconciliation to the Apparition Chapel

Family Day:  Sunday, August 16th 2026, 11am to 3pm
Begins with the Blessing of Families in the Parish Church, followed by of activities for children and adults across the Shrine grounds.

Byzantine icon course August 2026

 A Byzantine Icon course is being held in Galway city this August.

Date:  21-29 August 2026

Venue:  Croi Nua Spirituality Centre, Taylors Hill - H91WY2A

Tutor Mihai Cucu  (https://mihaicucu78.wordpress.com/)

For more information email  mihaicucu78@gmail.com  or whatsapp 0870903568

Medjugorie peace Mass

A Medugorje Peace Mass is being held:

Date:   Thursday 29 July, 2026, at 8pm

Venue:   St John the Apostle church in Knocknacarra 
                      (see Catholic churches in Galway city for Eircode and parish links)

Firstborn Annual prayer summit

Faith Christian Fellowship Ministry, who are a Pentecostal church based in the East of Galkway city, are holding a Firstborn Annual Prayer Summit 2026, led by Mrs. Pastor Gloria Ovie, ministering alongside Pastor Dr. Larry Ovie.

Titled “Born to Excel” (Proverbs 22:29 ), this weekend-event will challenge every participant to break free from generational limitations, overcome life’s hidden battles, and step confidently into God’s ordained destiny.

Date / time

• Friday, 24 July, 6pm
• Saturday, 25 July - 12-Hour Online Chain Prayer 
• Sunday, 26 July - 10:30am Anointing & Breakthrough Service

Venue:  Faith Arena, Maragoni House, Ballybrit, Galway, H91 KWC8

Enquiries:  phone +353 89 983 9493 or see www.fcfgalway.com

Cemetery Masses 2026

 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

Bohermore (Galway city east) - Sunday 16 August at 11am - with Benediction at 4:30pm

Claregalway:  Monday 1 June, 7:30pm

Kilcamin (Maree) Friday 7th August, 7:30pm

Oranmore Village:  Monday 3 August, 7pm

Rahoon (Galway city west) - Sunday 13 September at12-noon

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 

Jubilee pilgrimage to Ennis Franciscan priory

A Jubilee Pilgrimage from Galway to the Ennis Franciscan friary is proposed.

Date:  Saturday 25 July 2026

Departing from Galway Cathedral, and visiting Ennis Friary and Poor Clare convent, the medieval friary museum, Ennis Cathedral, Clare County Museum.

Cost:  €20 for the bus - plus entry fees and lunch as chosen.

Book at Galway friary, or phone Marie  (086-812 2201)   Brian  (087 273 7503   )  or   Ben  (087 635 2747)   ).

Rosary Procession for Life - July 2026

The Galway branch of 40 Days for Life are hosting a rosary procession.

Date: Saturday 25th July 2.30pm

Starting from: Forster Street, beside St. Patrick's Church

Guest speaker is Bernadette Smyth of Precious Life.

Priory Institute summer school 2026

The Prioriy Insititue's 2026 Summer School is titled "Man and Woman He Created Them", and is about themes in Pope John Paul II’s teaching on the “Theology of the Body”.

The school 100% online, and is made up four filmed lectures and one live video conference, all by Rev Dr Alan O’Sullivan OP. 

One video will be released each day from on Monday August 10.  Topcs:

• 10 August Lecture 1: The Pursuit of Love: Earlier Writings of Karol Wojtyla
• 11 August Lecture 2: Theology of the Body: Masterwork of St John Paul II
• 12 August Lecture 3: Theology of the Body: The Masterwork II
• 13 August Lecture 4: Man and Woman in the Image of God
• 17 August 7.30pm: Live Discussion of Presentations

Participants can watch the lectures whenever suits them, and revisit lectures they have already viewed. 

At 7.30pm on Monday 17 August there will be a final live Zoom discussion.

The cost to take part is €85, or  €65 for current students or unwaged pepole.

Enrol at:  

https://prioryinstitute.com/events/2026-online-summer-school-man-and-woman-he-created-them

Healing mass in Headford, July 2026

A Healing Mass is being held in Headford church (H91 C9W8).

Date:  Friday 24 July, 2026 7pm.

It will be followed by a general blessing with a first-class relic.

50 year anniversary of Knock Basilica

Knock Shire is holding a celebration to mark 50 years since the opening of their Basilica.

Date:  Saturday 18 July, 2026

The day will include

• A morning gathering in St John's centre, 10:30am - 1pm:  showing a commemorative film and interview with Fr Richard Gibbons and Tommy Maren.
• Guided tours of the basilica at 10am, 10:30am and 1pm.
• Anointing of the sick at 2:30pm
• Mass of Thanksgiving at 3pm.

RCIA season 2026/27 - programme for people who want to become a Catholic

The Galway and Clonfert diocese formation centre is offering an RCIA programme for adults who are interested in joining the Catholic church, starting in Autumn 2026.

RCIA stands for "Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults" - and this sometimes called Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).

The programme has four steps:

• Inquiry - asking initial questions
• Catechumenate - deep study of Catholic teaching, the Bible and and church traditions.
• Purification and Enlightenment - deep prayer and reflection, usually during Lent - which ends with Baptism, Confirmation and reception into the church
• Mystagogy - a time after Easter when new church members think about what has happened, and fit into a local parish or other community.

You can find out more on their website.

For more information:

• Contact your local priest (see our list of churches if you aren't sure where to find them)
• Email   rcia@anghailil.ie
• Phone 091 563 566  or  091 841 560

Q&A about religious life with the Poor Clares - July 2026

The Poor Clare sisters are running an online questions-and-answers session for women aged 18-35 who may be wondering if they have a vocation to religious.

Date:   Wednesday 22 July, 2026

Time:   7 - 8:30pm

For information, email events@poorclares.ie

Abide In His Love - Women's Conference

The Abide in His Love Women's Conference 2026 is on:  

• From 5:30pm, Friday, November 20
• To 2pm, Sunday, November 22 

The Great Northern Hotel Bundoran, County Donegal.

This event "brings together women aged 18+ from across Ireland to explore and celebrate the beauty and gift of their feminine identity in Christ. The program includes:

• Speakers, including
  
  • Sarah Swafford - from the USA, founder of Emotional Virtue Ministries, international speaker and contributor to Ascension’s Chosen. She
  • Bishop Fintan Gavin (Cork and Ross), celebrateing Holy Mass on Sunday, 22 November, the Feast of Christ the King.
  • Fr. Barry Braum,
  • the Nashville Dominican Sisters,
  • Fr. Mark Wharton,
  • Danielle Noonan,
  • Fr. Oisin Martin,
  • Fr. David Nugent.

• Spiritual Events: Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, healing services, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
• Fellowship.

It is organised by speaker Angela McMorrow, alongside Franciscan Friar of the resurrection  Father Joseph Mary Deane, CFR

Book on Eventbrite:   tickets   €70 + Eventbtite fees, or €50 for students.

 

One year Certificate course: Religious Education for Primary School children

This is a one-year part-time, certificate-level course for people who are providing religious education to primary-school aged children.

Originally the course was for:

• Qualified primary school teachers;
• Qualified post-primary school teachers who wish to transfer to primary school teaching.

and the description says it "aims to contribute to the theological and pedagogical development of qualified primary school teachers and other teachers of children of primary school age and to equip them with the necessary knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes to teach Religious Education within Irish primary schools and for sacramental preparation."    

However as changing models of church and school are being adopted, the course  may also be open to parents, sacramental preparation teams and parish catechists with a specific interest in the area of primary religious education.

 The course is mainly on-line, with two days of face-to-face lectures in the year.  Examinations may also be face-to-face.

More information is available from  https://www.atu.ie/courses/certificate-religious-education-for-primary-school.

St Benedict Week events at Kylemore Abbey

Kylemore Abbey is hosting a number special events from July 11 to July 19 to celebrate St. Benedict Week.

Saturday, July 11: 

Mass for the Feast Day of St. Benedict will include the blessing of St. Benedict medals.

Sunday, July 12, 4PM: 

Brother Colmán Ó Clabaigh, a medievalist from Glenstal Abbey speaks on Women in the Wall: The Anchorites and Recluses of Medieval Ireland.” Register to attend this presentation at Eventbrite.

Monday, July 13: Oblate Day:

• Enquiry sessions at 11:00 and 3:00 for people interested in exploring the vocation of being a Benedictine Oblate.  More information about this here.
• Mass at 12:15 will welcome a new Oblate into the community.

Wednesday, July 15

USA-based Metropolitan Flute Orchestra performs in Ostyn Hall at 3:00 PM.

Talk by the The Knights of Saint Michael the Archangel

The Holy Family Prayer Group in Moycullen are hosing a talk by the The Knights of Saint Michael the Archangel.

Attendees will receive a St Michael sword, the opportunity to become a Knights of Saint Michael the Archangel, and a blessing with the relics of St John Paul II and St Faustina.

Date:  Sunday 12 July 2026

2pm - talk about Saint Michael the Archangel

3pm - Divine Mercy Chaplet and talk about St Faustina

5pm  - Mass celebrated by Fr Martin Whelan

Venue:   Moycullen - H91F38E

Contact:   Don  phone 085 724 7188

Reek Sunday pilgrimage, 2006

The annual national pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick (known as "Reek Sunday")  is on  Sunday 26 July 2026.

Mass will be celebrated at the summit hourly between 8am and 2pm.

Confessions will be available between 7:30am and 2pm.

See Westport parish's website for more details.

Book launch: Challenge Courage and Call

The book Challenge Courage and Call:  The Word of God and Priestly Ministry by Archbishop Emeritus Michael Neary is being launched.

Host:  Archbishop Francis Duffy, Tuam / Killala

Date:  Saturday 11 July,  11:30am

Venue:  Knock Bookshop

The book can be ordered from ACN Church Resources

Logos scripture summer school, 2026

Logos scripture summer school is a four-day intensive study opportunity presented by Dominican friar and scripture scholar, Fr Terence Crotty OP.

It aims to give students the opportunity to "learn about the stories of genius found in the Bible, to savour the brilliance of both God and the human authors and so to understand and love the Scripture all the more."

Date:    

Course 1:   Friday 3  - Tuesday 7 July, 2026.    Old Testament Heros

Course 2:   Friday 17 - Tuesday 21 July 2026.   St John the Evangelist 

Location:   Our Lady of Silence Cistercian Abbey, Roscrea, Co Tipperary

Cost:     Enquire at enrolment

Presented by Fr Terence Crotty OP this is an opportunity over four intensive days to learn about the stories of genius found in the Bible, to savour the brilliance of both God and the human authors and so to understand and love the Scripture all the more.

Forming the Catholic Imagination - retreat for university students

An An Intellectual Retreat for current university students is being organised by the Thomistic Institute in Ireland.

Date:    12-noon on July 18 to 1:30pm on July 20, 2026 

Venue:  Glencomeragh House Retreat Centre,  Clonmel, Co. Tipperary E91H584

Cost:     Meals and housing will be free for accepted applicants. 

              Limited travel scholarships are available upon request.

The programme will include talks with theologians and scholars, praying the Liturgy of the Hours, attend Mass, personal prayer, and meals and times of fraternity with the Dominican friars and other students.

Speakers:    

• Fr Stephen Fields SJ
• Fr. Chris Vincent Gault OP,    
• Fr. Alan O’ Sullivan OP
• Fr. Irenaeus Dunlevy, OP

Apply to attend on their website.

Youth 2000 Summer Festival

The Youth 2000 Ireland Summer Festival is being held at Dominican College, Newbridge, Co Kildare.

Date:  13th to 16th August!

For:  Young people ages 16-35

Cost:  Donation only, and free buses are available from various locations   (Galway pickup is Oranmore Town Centre, or Oranmore Railway Station)
Suggested donation is €80, but we ask attendees to only give what they can afford. People who are in a position to donate to cover the cost for those who cannot will make a huge difference for the young people who could not otherwise attend.

The programme includes  "great activities each day as well as excellent speakers, inspiring talks and fantastic workshops ... lots of time for prayer and time to chill out, meet new people and experience the best of what it means to be young and Catholic today"

This is a live-in event:  you need to take a sleeping bag as well as the usual necessities for an overnight.

Attendees must register in advance on their website - and show an original photo ID when you arrive.

Patristic Summer School with icon painting

A patristic summer school, with icon painting is being organised by the St Ephrem Academic Centre for Oriental and Occidental Studies (STEP)  in co-operation with  ITI Catholic University,  Trumau (Austria).

Date:   6-11 July 2026

Venue:   Newman Insittue, Ballina, Co Mayo

Fee: €100 for the morning sessions only

Leaders: Pd. Dr. Fr. Ephram G. Lomidze and Prof. Dr. Michaela C. Hastetter.

The programme incudes readings from the the church-fathers in the morning, and icon painting in the afternoon.

Registrations by email to     info@step_wien.au

Fr Bill retreat in Bundoran, Sept 2026

A 5-day silent faith-renewal and healing Fr Bill Retreat, given by Fr Anthony Saji VC,  is being held:

Date:  Mon 28 Sept to Friday 2 October 2026

Venue:   Allingham Arms Hotel, Bundoran, Co Donegal.

People of all ages, and from all walks of life are invited.  Priests and religious are warmly welcomed.

For more information, call

• Róisín +353 (0)86 893 7399, or
• Maeve +353 (0) 866 6199