Confession at Shannon shopping centre was an initiative introduced "in response to the call from Pope Francis to go to the marketplace, and that was what we did - bring the church out to the people” - Fr Arnold Rosney.

Bishop Fintan Monahan of Killaloe expresses concern in a statement on Wednesday that “we are living more-and-more in a two-tier Ireland - with the regions losing out”.

“The weather was good and the water was calm. It was a lovely place to be.”

The season of Lent is meant to help us to clarify our Christian vision and, above all, to bring our lives into conformity with the life of Jesus Christ.

“The well-being of local communities and of refugees alike requires that the provision of facilities for those who have lost everything must be carefully planned.”

‘Mercy in the Square, Mercy in Manor’ initiative will see priests engage with the people of Tralee for a blessing, confession, prayer or a chat.

Twenty priests hear confessions for five hours at shopping mall in Shannon at the start of the Year of Mercy.

Tree given to diocese of Killaloe by St John Paul II in 1979 has been cut down and its wood will be used by students from St Caimin’s to create a piece of sculpture.

The 6th annual Gospel Rising Music Festival will see choirs from Ireland and beyond perform in Ennis from 8 - 10 May 2015.