ONE OF the best-known religious congregations in Ireland began celebrations at the weekend to mark the 150th anniversary of its arrival in Ireland.
The Holy Ghost or Spiritan congregation, as it has become known more recently, would be best known as being responsible for Dublin’s Blackrock College, St Mary’s College in Rathmines, St Michael’s College on Merrion Road, Templeogue College, Willow Park in Blackrock and Rockwell College in Co Tipperary.
The first Holy Ghost Fathers came to Ireland from France in 1859. Their missionaries are in countries stretching from Brazil to Kenya and Pakistan to West Africa. A number of the congregation’s African priests are now working in Ireland.
An intercultural vigil was held in Kimmage at the weekend to mark the anniversary. Fr Tony Byrne reflected on his years in Nigeria, while Palestinian student Shereen el-Sabbagh spoke about her native Gaza City.
