News & Events
Below you will find our most recent News & Events Blog Posts.
Autumn Courses Starting in the Lumen Dominican Centre
New Courses starting soon https://lumenop.ie/
Book Launch
Flyer - Son of an Unknown Father (EU) Sr Maeve's book will be launched on September 22nd at 14.30 in the Dominican Resource Centre Cabra.
Celebrating 25 years of a community – click to view .
Recently, one of our communities in Belfast celebrated 25 years - this is a short video showing their life and commitment over the last 25 years. https://youtu.be/b9GIFoU2ZxE
‘Through Shadows’ August 2023
Here is the link to the August 2023 edition of the Justice Office Newsletter. https://mailchi.mp/fe2a69ce42a2/march-through-shadows-justice-newsletter-8852536
Lumen Dominican Centre Open Day
Everyone welcome to the Open Day at the Lumen Dominican Centre on September 1st. Come and see the wide range of courses on offer for Autumn 2023.
Lumen Dominican Centre Autumn 2023 brochure.
Please follow this link to view the brochure and for details on how to book. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v60P49d65pgXN04b95OsJaOLmJteVswn/view?usp=drive_link
St Dominic’s Day 2023
O Wonderful Hope O Wonderful Hope, Promising to be helpful even after death, A promise faithfully fulfilled. 800 years of Wonderful Hope, Borne out in a way of life That carries the seedlings of Hope For our world today. [...]
Vessel of Colour used in our recent Congregation Gathering
The Vessel and its Gift of Colour Some gatherings are more joyous than others and lately our Dominican gathering was a remarkably hopeful and challenging experience where our hearts expanded, giving us a greater appreciation of who we have become as [...]
Through Shadows June / July 2023 edition
Here is a link to the June / July edition of Through Shadows https://mailchi.mp/85e7daf8cf81/march-through-shadows-justice-newsletter-8850384
5th Edition of the Newsletter of the Social Work Foundation of Irish Dominican Religious
Here is a link to the 5th Edition of the Newsletter of the Social Work Foundation of Irish Dominican Religious (FOSRDI). https://www.canva.com/design/DAFAYKRJyGE/v7QGXirrjmIv1LGzTX0wcQ/view?utm_content=DAFAYKRJyGE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink
Fundraiser for Haiti
"Following fundraising efforts during the Women's Mini Marathon by Sisters and staff of the Dominican Sisters, Cabra, Lara Kelly of the Congregation Justice Office presented a cheque for €2,950 to Sally Roddy, Board Member of NPH Haiti, who will use [...]
Blessing the Cosmic Garden in Mary Bellew House
On June 30th Sisters from various communities gathered to mark the completion of the first stage of the upgrade to the cosmic garden in Mary Bellew House. Sr Colette gave a brief history of the beginning of the project, Sr [...]
Dominican Sisters visit Galway Museum
Galway City museum celebrated the 300th anniversary of the reliquary of St. Ursula, 1723 -2023. It was donated by the Dominican Sisters Taylor’s Hill to the museum in 2022. Much research has been done on relics and reliquaries in recent years [...]
‘Walk with us’
Read all about the first vocations 'Walk with us" by clicking on this link Walk with us
Through Shadows May Newsletter
Here is a link to the latest edition of the Newsletter from our Justice Office https://mailchi.mp/134f5ea4f1a5/march-through-shadows-justice-newsletter-8846223
Happy 105th Birthday
One of our Sisters celebrated her 105th birthday today. She enjoyed the day with a special afternoon tea and said a few words to those assembled which included “ I want to say to everyone, love one another and [...]
‘Through Shadows’
Here is the Link to the April edition of 'Through Shadows' https://bit.ly/3LA0j2t
Spring Planting in 204 Griffith Ave
The Community in Griffith Ave, Dublin, re seeding the meadow area in their garden, overseen by the community pet!
Oratory of the Sacred Heart, Dun Laoghaire
Explore a hidden gem of Celtic revival art this spring. The Oratory of the Sacred Heart, Dún Laoghaire. Entering the tiny chapel has been described as ‘walking into a three dimensional Book of Kells’. Join Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Spring [...]
LInk to the Second Justice Newsletter of the Congregation
Below is a link to the Second edition of the Congregation Newsletter. https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm&ogbl#inbox/FMfcgzGslbPSSWlpsPLcHkCmjNZVzgrS
Global Strike for Climate 2023
On Friday March 3rd 2023 Dominican Sisters and school students from St Dominic's College Cabra joined together as part of the Global Strike for Climate, calling for urgent climate action under the banner "Tomorrow is too late". The Eco and [...]
Congregation Justice Office Newsletter
Below is the link to the first Congregation Justice Office Newsletter. https://mailchi.mp/c82f3ed7f3a7/through-shadows-welcome-to-the-new-justice-newsletter
Congregation meeting
On Saturday February 18th the Congregation had a meeting 'Dominicans and the Fire we Carry; From Flaring Forth to the Future' Below are a few photos from the event.
Celebrating St Bridget
On February 6th, Dominican Sisters in North Dublin, with a few visitors came together to celebrate the first Bank Holiday in honour of St Brigid. We gathered in prayer, St Brigid visited and we enjoyed a cuppa at the end. [...]
Celebrating Sr Macrina, RIP
The above plaque was unveiled in the Seven Steps Academy for the Deaf, in Cape Town, in December 2022 Sr Macrina trained in Dublin and with Sr Nicholas Griffeys' assistance and encouragement, became involved in developing a school, where [...]
Book launch of “My Life in Brazil” by Sr. Padraigín McKenna OP
The community in Taylors Hill, Galway held a community book launch of Sr Padraigin’s newly published book on Tuesday 10th January “My life in Brazil”. This is a personal journey of missionary life vividly told through a mosaic of short [...]
New Courses in the Lumen Dominican Centre
October 2022 New courses starting (Just click on the links below to book the modules or simply call us 012882075 / 0858727482) We would like to draw your attention to a number of new modules starting next week. "If [...]
Events at Anam Ashram
Autumn Retreats and Classes at Anam Ashram www.anamashram.com We hope you all had a wonderful summer break and we are delighted to be able to offer yoga, meditation and ashram day retreats this Autumn! Christianity & Yoga - Breaking [...]
Reflections on the Irish Dominicans in Portugal
On the 360th anniversary of the death of Irish Dominican Friar Daniel O’Daly, the Embassy of Ireland in Lisbon are hosting a celebration and reflections on the Irish Dominicans in Portugal and Sister Extraordinaire: the work [...]
Celebrating the Month of Creation in Galway
The Sisters in our community in Galway celebrating the close of the celebration of the month of Creation in September 2021. Their Sharing on the Creation Table began with contributions from everyone in the Community. The Dawn Chorus brought joy [...]
DOMINIC’S CONVERSATION WITH THE CATHAR INNKEEPER Maeve Mc Mahon O.P.
DOMINIC’S CONVERSATION WITH THE CATHAR INNKEEPER Maeve Mc Mahon O.P. ‘DISPUTATIO’ Dominic didn’t say, “You’re wrong! You’re wrong!” Arguing with the innkeeper all night long. He searched for the truth, engaged in disputation, showed him the beauty of God’s [...]
Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare – A New Hymn by Sr. Columbia Fernandez OP
We are delighted to share Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare a new hymn by Sr. Columbia OP (Port Elizabeth SA) to commemorate our Holy Father St. Dominic during this Jubilee Year. Music & Lyrica available here LAUDARE, BENEDICERE, PRAEDICARE
Link to Requiem Mass for Sr. Patricia Mc Grath O.P. Iona House, Fortwilliam Park, Belfast.
Requiem Mass for Sr. Patricia Mc Grath O.P. Iona House, Fortwilliam Park, Belfast. 30th June 2021 https://youtu.be/2UhZM4jq4VA
From Ireland to New Zealand – A Dominican Story
How many of us are aware that we are foundresses of at least five daughter congregations, three in Australia, one in New Zealand in addition to the one founded in New Orleans which is now incorporated into the Dominican Sisters [...]
Guided Tour of the Convento Bom Sucesso, Lisbon Aired on RTP2 Monday 20th July 2020
We are delighted to share the link to a guided tour of the Convent Bom Sucesso, Belém, Lisbon. The program was aired on the Portuguese national TV station RTP2 about Bom Sucesso, https://www.rtp.pt/play/p7378/e484388/visita-guiada
Sister Eileen O’ Connell OP shared her Vocation story with Vocations Ireland
Sister Eileen O’ Connell OP shared her Vocation story with Vocations Ireland, to celebrate World Day Prayer for Vocations Sr Eileen O'Connell OP, shares her vocation journey with us. - Vocations Ireland (Part1) Sr Eileen O'Connell OP shares her vocation [...]
We assist all who ask us’ say Vocations Ireland
Vocations Ireland Executive Heroic Callings during Troubled Times Vocations Ireland is an association of vocation directors from religious orders, congregation and societies which provides training in ethical decision-making and assessment of candidates for religious life and priesthood. Over the last [...]
Psalm from our shore-Sr. Matilde Franchino OP
Psalm from our shore: Blessed be the Lord through Dominic and his family who keep open their doors, eyes, ears and mind; Open to divine wisdom and human science all acquired through study. Blessed are you, because in Dominic the [...]
THE COSMIC WALK IN VICTORIA, ARGENTINA
On Sunday 23rd February 2020, late in the evening of a beautiful sunny day, some 60 friends gathered for the launch of the Cosmic Walk in the garden where we have been shaping a space for contemplation and peace. Outside [...]
Brief resumé of our presence in Argentina 1968-2020
Brief resumé of our presence in Argentina 1968-2020 In 1968 a trio of Sisters left Galway, Ireland to begin a mission in Argentina, invited by the St. Joseph Society to take over the Keating Institute in the Once area of [...]
Sr. Máire Kealy OP – Dominican Education in Ballyfermot 1953-1978 and later.
I would like to congratulate Sr Máire on her wonderful documentation of the social history of Ballyfermot and the impact that Dominican Education had on the lives of the young women with the provision of educational facilities. She certainly captures [...]
Link to the John Bowman broadcast (Sunday 21st July 2019) archival interviews of our Sister Margaret Mac Curtain OP (Sr Ben)
Click below to listen to the John Bowman broadcast (Sunday 21st July 2019) archival interviews of our Sister Margaret Mac Curtain OP (Sr Ben) Congratulations Margaret on your life long commitment as a Dominican and inspiration to many! https://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/html5/#/radio1/11065888
Convento de Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso, Lisbon 1944 – 2016 – Oral History
Established in 1639 by the Irish Dominican and diplomat, Fr Dominic O’Daly (1595-1662), the Irish Dominican convent of Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso located in the parish of Belém on the outskirts of Lisbon city, holds an important place in [...]
Eucharist celebration and thanksgiving to mark the closing of St. Rose’s Dominican College, Belfast.
Concluding remarks by Sr. Maire McHugh OP, Mission Area Prioress Ireland, at the Thanksgiving Mass to mark the closing of St. Rose’s Dominican College, Belfast. Ascension Sunday 2nd June 2019, St. Paul's Parish Church, Falls Road, Belfast How often have [...]
Vocation Sunday – Sr. Colette talks about her Vocation Call
We invite you to watch this short video https://drive.google.com/…/1Dqi9K2XokinpYYnHrYUzcFHQk…/view… were Sr. Colette O.P. shares her Vocation call. Colette is the director of An Tairseach our Dominican Farm and Ecology Centre, in Wicklow, https://antairseach.ie We thank Vocations Ireland www.vocationsireland.com for inviting Colette to [...]
Official opening of the Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education- Maynooth
Our Sisters were very happy to be part of the official opening on 21st Feb. 2019 of the Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education located in The School of Education on the North Campus Maynooth. Formerly known as [...]
Bicentenary Mass celebrating 200 years of Dominican Sisters’ presence in Cabra
On Tuesday 29th January, the Bicentenary Eucharistic celebration took place in the Church of the Most Precious Blood, Cabra West, celebrating the 200 years of Dominican Sisters' presence in Cabra. Click here to read Homily by Fr. Michael O’Grady, (Parish Priest, [...]
Pastoral da Criança Leadership Training – Haiti
Sr Bridget OP (Mission Area of Ireland) who is ministering in Haiti at present is seen here with volunteers from six local communities who are training as Pastoral da Criança leaders within their communities.
Pope Francis greets our Sisters in Cabra
Pope Francis greeted some of our Sisters on Sunday 26th August as he arrived for a meeting with the Bishops at our Convent Chapel in Cabra, following his afternoon Phoenix Park Mass, to conclude the World Meeting of Families. Sr [...]
25th Anniversary of FOSRDI in Lisbon
This year we commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Foundation, in Lisbon. As part of the commemoration former and present staff, friends and colleagues joined together for a celebration of the Eucharist in the former Convent Chapel. Following the mass [...]
Fifty Years in Argentina 1968 – 2018
Sr. Veronica Rafferty OP reflects on our celebration of 50 years in Argentina Sister Matilde Franchino wrote a sonnet for the occasion and it opens with the line: “The day we have been waiting for has finally arrived!” 24 February [...]
300 Years of Dominican Sisters in Dublin. Part 11.
300 years conclusion: Previous instalments reviewed the settlement and growth of a group of Galway Dominican nuns in Dublin from 1717. The story described the trials, tribulations, and challenges they faced in Penal days, with decreasing numbers and increasing debts [...]
Cabra Dominican Sisters: Celebrate 150 Years
Read below an article in The Southern Cross (Southern Africa's Catholic Weekly) by Erin Carelse. Cabra Dominican Sisters: Celebrate 150 Years with them!
300 years of Dominican Women in Dublin: Part 10
Clontarf By 1798 there were only three Sisters in Channel Row. After the landlord did not renew the lease, the account books note: “received for old furniture sold on leaving Brunswick St £14.10.9d.” Thus, in the spring 1808, the Sisters, [...]
How Luther’s Reformation led Irish nuns to Lisbon
Read below article from RTE website by Dr Bronagh Ann McShane RECIRC, Moore Institute https://www.rte.ie/eile/brainstorm/2017/1018/913242-how-luthers-reformation-led-irish-nuns-to-lisbon/
Launch of A Luz que no se Apaga by Sister Honor McCabe
On Friday evening 20 October, the beautiful baroque chapel in Bom Sucesso was filled to capacity with teachers, sisters, members of Fundação, parents, staff and guests, all having some connection with the Dominican community resident there until last year. Flowers [...]
300 years of Dominican Women in Dublin: Part 9
300 years part 9 [extracts from Sister Maire Kealy’s book From Channel Row to Cabra] It is possible to chart the decline of the Channel Row community by comparing the numbers in the community, in the boarding school and the [...]
300 years of Dominican Women in Dublin: Part 8
Channel Row expenses: basic provisions were vegetables, meat, butter, eggs. Although tea and coffee were sometimes bought, the regular drink was beer! Snuff also was customary. As well as rent and legal fees, payments were made to the smith, the [...]
300 years of Dominican Women in Dublin: Part 7
As in all Dominican communities, the Channel Row nuns were devoted to the church’s liturgy, especially the Mass and the Divine Office. These were enhanced by good music (as testified in Part 6) and an organ donated by the Bellew [...]
300 years of Dominican Women in Dublin: Part 6
The chapel in Channel Row merits attention for several reasons. At times, events that occurred there were known to the “authorities”. A 1727 document refers to a famous convent in Channel Row, “where the most celebrated Italian musicians help to [...]
300 years of Dominican Women in Dublin: Part 5
Recently, Dominican schools in Ballyfermot, Capetown, and Portstewart celebrated anniversaries, 60, 80 and 100 years, respectively. What do they have in common? They are some of the branches of the Galway Dominican family tree planted in Dublin 300 years ago. [...]
300 years of Dominican Women in Dublin – Part 4
Mrs Bellew’s “family”, in Channel Row, consisted of three groups of women- the nuns, girl boarders and parlour boarders. The latter were widows or single women who needed accommodation and who could afford to pay rent or, as they called [...]
300 years presence of Dominican Women in Dublin
A message in stone. (Part 3) Although, today, there is no sign of the convent in Channel Row [later renamed N. Brunswick St] its location is easily identified. Situated north of the river Liffey from Arran Quay, is “Smithfield”. Continuing [...]
180 YEARS IN THE LIFE STORY OF SION HILL
REFLECTION Given by: Sr. Christina Greene OP on March 26th 2017 Good afternoon. Welcome to the Sion Hill event of the year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sheila Drum, Principal of Dominican College, all the staff [...]
300 years presence of Dominican women in Dublin
In March 1717, Sister Mary Bellew and a small community arrived in Dublin (a “seed planted” from the Dominican convent in Galway.) Penal laws in Dublin were not so rigorously enforced as in other parts of the country. For six [...]
Launch of Prayer Book in Dominican College, Portstewart, 13th February, 2017
On Monday 13th February, Sr Lucina Montague greeted Dominican staff as they gathered to celebrate the launch of the 2017 centenary prayer book. She spoke of her arrival in Portstewart in 1962 and the appropriateness and relevance of the date [...]
Homily at 60th Anniversary Mass, St. Dominic’s College Ballyfermot
Homily at 60th Anniversary Mass St. Dominic’s College Ballyfermot As a past pupil, current teacher in St Dominic’s and fellow Dominican Associate I have had the unique opportunity to see the school from different points of view. I was once [...]
“Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment”
Pope Francis has written a letter to young people as the Church prepares for a Synod of Bishops on the theme: “Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment”. The Pope’s letter was published on Friday 13 January, ahead of a [...]
Reflection by Sr. Helen Mary Harmey on Congregation Day 7th August
Evening Prayer Congregation Day 7 August 2015 Mt. 16:24-28 “Jesus said to his disciples, if anyone wishes to be a follower of mine, let them renounce themselves and [...]
Pope Francis’ climate change encyclical
Pope Francis’ first encyclical “Laudato Si: On the Care of our Common Home” is focused on the idea of ‘integral ecology’, connecting care of the natural world with justice for the poorest and most vulnerable people. Only by radically ‘reshaping [...]
Restorative Practices – a Way forward in Education by Sr. Liz Smyth OP
In this article I wish to reflect on how the use of Restorative Practice in our daily lives as Dominican Educators can build right relationships and answer a need in society today to Respect, Understand, Include all by building Positive [...]
Srs Maureen MacMahon and Edel Murphy on Froebel education in Ireland
Sr Maureen MacMahon OP looks back on beginnings of Froebel education in Ireland On Monday morning in September 1943 four of us; Frances Lodge, Ann Fitzgerald, Sr. Dorothea O.P. and myself, (Sr. Grignion, now Sr. Maureen O.P.) sat down in a [...]
Sr. Eileen O’Connell shares her story on her Dominican Vocation
On 29 April in St Dominic’s Parish, Tallaght, Sr. Eileen O'Connell spoke about her Dominican Vocation Thank you Fr Larry for inviting me. I’m very glad to be here celebrating the Feast of St. Catherine with you. I am also [...]
Catherine of Siena, Woman of passion and praise
Reflection by Sr. Mary O'Driscoll OP on St. Catherine of Siena One of the recent Masters of the Dominican Order described Catherine of Siena as ”the woman into whom the whole soul of Dominic passed”. What higher tribute could be [...]
Sr. Olive Cooney receives Woman of the Year Award
Congratulations to Sr. Olive Cooney who recently won A Woman of the Year Award. Read article re Sr. Olive Cooney from TheBelfast Telegraph
Inspirational life that changed girls at Muckross forever
Below is article from The Irish Times by Breda O'Brien on Sr. Barnabas Kett OP who died on 1st February 2015. Here’s a thought experiment. Imagine that you worked closely with thousands of people, and your phenomenal memory allowed you not [...]
Sr. Maeve McMahon speaks about her work in JUST (Jesuit University Support and Training Centre
The Jesuit University Support and Training centre in Ballymun or JUST as it is more widely known was recently visited by six executives from the Higher Education Authority. Invited by the Director of the Centre, Dr Kevin O’Higgins, following the [...]
Sr. Veronica McCabe OP speaks of her work in the community in Cherry Orchard
Many Dominican Sisters work in pastoral care in the community. Sr Veronica McCabe OP is one such Sister working in Cherry Orchard. Sr Veronica has worked in the Cherry Orchard locality for over 4 years. She believes that having a [...]
Interview with Sr. Martine Pillay OP
Twenty years on from the end of Apartheid in South Africa, Sr Martine Pillay recounts the day she cast her vote in Middle Abbey St and how life has changed since Sr Martine Pillay, a Dominican Sister based in South [...]
Sr. Lilianne Flavin’s article in The Irish Catholic
In The Irish Catholic this week Sr. Lilianne Flavin talks about her work with women in prison in Louisiana - The sharing of our common humanity.
Sr. Fionnula Quinn OP appointed International Co-ordinator of Contemplative Outreach
Sr Fionnuala Quinn OP has been appointed the next International Co-ordinator of Contemplative Outreach, an organization started thirty years ago by Cistercian Thomas Keating, presenting Centering Prayer. It is a community with an expanding vision and deepening practice, serving [...]
Evening Prayer, Cathedral, Cape Town
Evening Prayer, Cathedral, Cape Town This year 2013,as we know, was designated by Pope Benedict XVI as a Year of Faith. The quotation chosen for the Year of Faith was from the Acts of the Apostles: Chapter 14, [...]
Region of South Africa 150 Years Welcome
WELCOME: On 7 September 1863 the mail vessel “Saxon” sailed slowly into Table Bay - the realization of Bishop Patrick Raymund Griffith’s dream. History was in the making as the first six Irish Dominican Sisters stepped ashore in South Africa. They [...]
Region of South Africa 150 Year Celebration Day 2
Day 2 of the 150 celebration of the coming of the Cabra Dominican sisters to Capetown was celebrated with a mass of Thanksgiving. The celebrant was Monsignor Clifford Stokes assisted by Fr Hugh O'Connor. Fr Hugh welcomed everyone, reminding us [...]
Froebel Celebration
FROEBEL COLLEGE 1943 – 2013 It is my greatest privilege to be here as Congregation Prioress of the Dominican Sisters, the Dominican Sisters here in Ireland, South Africa, Portugal, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Louisiana. Many of our sisters were [...]
Mission and Ministry in Louisiana
MISSION AND MINISTRY IN LOUISIANA Sister Helen Mary Harmey,OP In 1860 seven sisters from Cabra went to New Orleans, Louisiana and founded what was to become St. Mary’s Congregation, New Orleans. In 1968 three years after Vatican II, [...]