The Penal Laws
Irish Catholics went through intensive persecution during the Penal Laws in the 16th-18th centuries. Included in these laws was on ban Holy Mass. Throughout Ireland, Catholics attended clandestine Masses celebrated on rocks converted into outdoor altars known as Mass Rocks. The risks made by the priests who celebrated these clandestine Masses helped to keep the Catholic Faith alive in Ireland during those times of persecution.
Ecclesiastical Province of Armagh
Corresponding to Ulster, the midlands and northern Leinster, the Ecclesiastical Province of Armagh is the largest of Ireland’s ecclesiastical provinces. The province’s metropolitan is the Archbishop of Aramgh and Primate of All of Ireland. There are nine dioceses in the province.
Ecclesiastical Province of Cashel
The Province of Cashel contains almost all of Munster. The metropolitan of the province is the Archbishop of Cashel and Emly. There are a total of seven dioceses in the province.
Learn more about Cahernorry Mass Rock.
Ecclesiastical Province of Dublin
The Province of Dublin corresponds to the southeast of Leinster. The metropolitan is the Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland. There are four dioceses in the province.
Make sure to read Fr. Jim Doyle’s article about Fr. Nicholas Mayler and Tomhaggard Mass Rock.
Ecclesiastical Province of Tuam
Corresponding roughly to Connaught, the Province of Tuam is in the west of Ireland. The metropolitan is the Archbishop of Tuam. The Archdiocese of Tuam contains the International Marian and Eucharistic Shrine of Knock. There are six dioceses in the province.
Our Martyrs
Most Irish Catholics only have a vague understanding of this history of the persecution of Irish Catholics in the past, with what they do know lacking detail. The book ‘Our Martyrs’ tries to remedy this by providing full detail of the Penal Laws passed in Ireland and detailed accounts of the martyrdom of Irish Catholics. These accounts include Blessed Dermot O'Hurley, St. Oliver Plunket and many more.
