Franciscan youth summer pilgrimage to Assisi

Galway-city based Franciscan brothers Ronan and Jacopo are offering young people (age 18-33) an opportunity to joint them walking in the footsteps of St Francis of Assisi in Umbria , staying in a different Franciscan Friary each night along the way.

This includes  a Franciscan youth meeting on 3 August which Pope Leo will attend.

Dates:  29 July - 7 August 2026

Cost €350 for accommodation and food - flights are not included.
 

May devotion to Our Lady of Clonfert, 2026

The programme for May devotions at the shrine of our Lady of Clonfert has been announced.

Programme summary:

• Opening Mass on Friday 1st May at 7.30pm, 
• Monday to Saturday - Mass at 7.30pm 
• Sundays at 10am and 6.30pm., 6pm to 7.15pm 
• Rosary daily at 10pm, 
• Fridays from 8 May:  Mass at 12 noon 
• Closing pilgrimage walk at 2:30pm and Mass at 6:30pm on May 31st.

The church is open for private prayer from 7am - 11pm each day.

Confessions are available 6 to 7:15pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Webcam of the church available here:   https://www.churchservices.tv/clonfert

For queries or to book Mass-intentions , phone 090 967 5113 or email  stBrensEyecourt@clonfertgalway.ie.     During May, the parish office is open Monday - Friday, 10am to 2pm.

Scroll down to see full details of the programme as at 24 April.

Further details are available on this website.

See Catholic churches in east Galway for location details of the shrine.

Programme details - 1 to 9 May 2026

Programme details - 10 to 16 May 2026

Programme details - 17 to 24 May 2026

Programme details - 25 to 31 May 2026

Young adult leadership programme at Knock

Applications are now open for the Youth Leadership Programme, which begins in September 2026 at Knock Shrine.

This a development programme for anyone interested in, or currently involved in, leading youth ministry initiatives in a parish.  It is delivered in partnership with Youth Link and Redemptorist Youth Ministry, and accredited by Queen’s University.

It aims to give participants with skills, knowledge, and confidence to walk with young people as they explore their faith.

For  enquiries, contact Mairead at Knock Youth Ministry team at 094 93 75321 or email youthministry@knockshrine.ie

Relics of St Thérese of Lisieux and Sts Louís and Zelie Martín in Loughrea, 2026

The relics of St Thérese of Lisieux and Sts Louís and Zelie Martín (her parents)  will be in St. Brendan's Cathedral Loughrea, Galway on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April 2026.

On Saturday, veneration starts with 11am Mass and continues until after 8pm Mass. 

On Sunday, veneration starts w with 10am Mass and continues until after 12pm Mass. 

The relics will  leave the Cathedral at 3.30pm.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Diocesian priesthood information afternoon

An information-afternoon for men who may be interested in becoming a Catholic priest is being held on Sunday 10 May 2026.

For more information, phone Fr Ian O'Neil on 087 204 8497   or email priesthood@clonfertgalway.ie

Healing Mass in Headford

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

Friday 24 April, 7pm.

It will be followed by a blessing with the Holy Oil of St Charbel and first-class relic.

Easter Adoration and evening prayer with the Poor Clares

The Poor Clare sisters in Galway city are inviting people to join them for evening Adoration and Prayer, for the Sundays in the Easter season.

Starting Sunday 12 April, 2026.

Adoration from 5pm

Evening prayer at 5:30pm

Monastery Chapel, Nun's Island - H91 CAV2

Catholic Mothers Connaught retreat

Catholic Mothers Ireland are running a retreat day, including spiritual restoration, inspiring talks, Holy Mass, prayers and confession, in Connaught.

Date/time:  Saturday, 9 May, 10am to 6pm 

Location:   Fr Peyton Centre, Attymas, Ballina, Co Mayo

Cost €50, includes refreshments and lunch.

Speakers include:

• Br Ronan Sharpley OFM, 
• Fr Valerian Castlelino CSC
• A representative from Children's Rosary Ireland

Catholic Mother's Ireland is a Northern-Ireland registered charity, founded in 2015, which aims to support and encourage women in their demanding roles as wives and mothers as well as growing in their faith through sharing their experiences.  The Annual Theme for all their retreats this year is: Faith, Simplicity, Love and A Mother’s path to Holiness. 

Pray for peace with Pope Leo - 11 April 2026

On Saturday, 11th April at 5pm (Irish time), Pope Leo XIV will lead a Rosary and Vigil for Peace in St Peter’s Basilica, inviting all Christians to unite in prayer for our wounded world.

You are invited to join in -  from home, or wherever you might be.

Faith and Fun summer camp for youth

An annual residential Camp Veritas Faith & Fun Camp takes place this year in Clongowes Wood College, Clane, Co. Kildare from 23–28 June, 2026. 

This is a one week sleep-away pilgrimage, serving up to 200 young people between the ages of 12 and 17 years, supported by up to 100 volunteers.  It is a ‘play and pray’ experience, with a full immersion in the Catholic Faith through sacraments and fun activities.   

The organisation which runs Camp Veritas is an American-based charity (founded by a family in 2008), and has a primary focus on Eucharistic-centered worship and evangelization; orthodox teaching in line with the Catechism of the Catholic Church and teachings of the Magisterium; and interaction with clergy and religious. 

A bus has been organised from the West of Ireland, with pick-up points of Westport, Castlebar, Claremorris, Tuam and Athenry. 

To find out more or to book your place parents should contact Fr Mark 093 24250 or email frmarkquinn@tuamparish.com

See the Camp Veritas website for further details.

Centering Prayer one day retreat at Kylemore Abbey

The Benedictine Nuns at Kylemore Abbey in Connemara are hosting aa Centering Prayer Day Retreat on Saturday 25 April 2026.

Centering Prayer is a method of prayer that strives to develop a relationship with God, beyond words, thoughts and emotion.   Through this silent prayer, retreatants will strive to consent to God’s presence and action in their lives.

Participants will also have opportunities to pray the Office with the Benedictine Nuns in their Monastic Church and to participate in the Eucharist.

Facilitated by Caroline Field, OblSB, and Sister Josephine Yator, OSB

No charge; donations accepted.

Register by emailing  retreats@kylemoreabbey.ie or phone +353 (0)95 52098

Men of St Joseph, meeting in Tuam, April 2026

 The next meeting of Men of St Joseph is:

• On 19 April 2026
• At 7pm
• In  Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Tuam

Guest speaker is Fr Chris Hayden

For enquires, contact frmarkquinn@tuamparish.com

What is Men of St Joseph?   

It is an international lay-association, .. of Christian men, united under the Catholic Church, who meet weekly to pray together and encourage each other to be the spiritual leaders of their families. The purpose of the Men of St. Joseph is to instill holiness in men and facilitate spiritual leadership in family and community life.

(https://www.menofstjoseph.com/about-us/)

Divine Mercy Sunday devotions at Galway Cathedral

On Divine Mercy Sunday, 12 April 2026, devotions at Galway Cathedral start at 2pm, with Mass being celebrated at 3pm.

Confessions will not be available on the day.

For more details, see https://www.galwaycathedral.ie/news/divine-mercy-sunday-2026

Formation / community opportunity for young people at the Irish College, Rome

The Pontifical Irish College is a third-level institute, located in Rome, which provides education and formation to priest, seminarians and lay people.   It was originally a seminary, but now has a braoder focus.

The College is now accepting applications from lay young people of faith in Ireland aged between 18-30, who would like to join a programme in the 2026/27 academic year which involves:

• Living in a former convent building at the college, and 
• Taking part in structured formation encompassing spiritual, intellectual, human and pastoral development.

See https://irishcollege.org/lay/  for more details.

Divine Mercy Novena, Renmore

A lay-led, nine-day Novena of Prayer to the Divine Mercy will be prayed in Saint Patrick's Garrison Church, Renmore.

Prayers will be at 9am every morning from Good Friday (3 April) until 12th April (10:30am on Easter Sunday), for about 15 minutes each day. Anyone is welcome to attend.

The devotions on Divine Mercy Sunday will be prayed at Galway Cathedral.

Divine Mercy Sunday devotions in Athenry

St Mary’s Athenry are hosting Sunday afternoon devotions on Divine Mercy Sunday, which is on the Sunday after Easter

 Athenry Church

12 April 2026, from 2pm.

The afternoon includes:

• Guided Holy Hour with singing/music  (confession will be available)
• Devotional prayer
• Mass

Sung Lauds for Holy Week

The Franciscans in Galway city have invited to people to join them for sung Lauds (ie morning prayer of the church), in the Abbey with the brothers, over the three days of the Easter Triduum.

Thursday 2nd, Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th April, 2026.

10:30am  in the Abbey, St Francis Street (H91 C53K).

Seminar: The Power of Kindness in Dealing with Stress and Anxiety

A workshop about the importance of kindness to self and others in taking care of one’s mental health, including simple strategies and practices to help become more fulfilled and less stressed in day-to-day life. 

Facilitated by teacher, chaplain and accredited life and wellness coach, Lizzie Harrison.

Location:  Croi Nua Spirituality Centre, Rosary Lane, Taylor’s Hill, Galway (H91WY2A)

Saturday 18th April, 2026,   10.00am – 2.00pm

Price:   €30

Book  by emailing   croinuacentre@gmail.com

Lourdes Pilgrimage staff opportunities for young adults

There are opportunities for Young Adults (ages of 18 and 25) to join the the Clonfert, Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora diocesian pilgrimage to Lourdes as a member of the pilgrimage staff.

Dates:   29 June to 4 July, 2026. 

The role involves assisting pilgrims who otherwise would not be able to travel. 

For further information, staff rates and booking forms contact Darina:  phone 085 2288 043 or dmccarthy@clonfertgalway.ie - or speak to your parish priest.

Medjugorje Group Pilgrimage, 2026

 A group pilgrimage between the west-of-Ireland and Medjugorje is being run from 14-21 October 2026.

The Spiritual Directors are Fr Frank O'Grady, Fr Michael Iflora, Fr Jijo Ashariparmbil, Fr Innocent Sunu and Fr Matthew Farrell.

The intended programme is shown on the Marian Pilgrimages website.

Price is €915.   A deposit of €200 is required to secure a booking.   The package includes:

• Flight from Knock to Mostar-Medjugorje.
• Return flight from Split to knock
• 15kg check-in luggage plus carry on per person
• Return transfers to Medjugorje accompanied by a guide
• Full religious program operated by Marian Pilgrimages 
• Full assistance of Marian Pilgrimages guides and representatives throughout the pilgrimage
• Sightseeing and admissions fees as per itinerary
• Mass daily & Spiritual activities (English at 10:00am & Croatian at 6:00pm)
• Accommodation in Exclusive Marian Pilgrimages houses close to St. James' Church
• Daily breakfast and evening meal
• Free Wifi in Guest Houses.

It does not include pilgrimage insurance, single rooms (available for €170 extra) or lunches

For more information, phone Yvonne Igoe 087 417 0959.