Pope Francis had to note the many protests that followed along his parade route in Dublin. Outside Dublin Castle a group held a banner that read, “We Will Never Forget,”’ and chanted “Keep our children safe.”
Rhona Tarrant
Rhona Tarrant is America's Dublin correspondent.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Ireland’s first openly gay prime minister is no liberal hero
The international press lauded the election of an openly gay son of an Indian immigrant as a sign of how progressive our tiny little island had become.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
A maternity hospital provokes a row over church role in Irish health care
The fact that the government handed ownership of a new $330 million state hospital to a religious order has led to a national debate over the continued involvement of the Catholic Church in Ireland’s health care system.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
As political landscape shifts, bitter divisions resurface in Northern Ireland
For the first time since the partition of Ireland, Unionists are not in a majority in Stormont, where Northern Ireland’s parliament meets.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Archbishop Martin reflects on a different Northern Ireland as bishops visit Rome
“The church is in a different space,” says Archbishop Martin. “We must be more invitational, using a ministry of presence, gently explaining the message of the church and inviting people in.”
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Irish activists seize an abandoned Dublin office on behalf of the city’s homeless
The illegal occupation came at the end of a year during which Ireland has seen record numbers forced onto the streets.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Signs Of the Times
Why abortion laws could change in Ireland.
The call to liberalize Ireland’s abortion laws has created significant political pressure.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
At Citizens Assembly, Ireland’s abortion laws come back into focus
The assembly will be examining what is widely referred to as the Eighth Amendment, which gives effect to Ireland’s ban on abortion.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Signs Of the Times
Gang violence in Ireland has a new, deadly directive
Once over money and territory, violence in the country has taken a more destructive turn.
Posted inDispatches
Archbishop Martin explains his decision to withdraw Dublin seminarians from Maynooth
The Archbishop of Dublin taking to the national airwaves to address “Grindr, which is a gay dating site,” managed to jolt the listening public in Ireland.