Photo Gallery

ALBUM 13: Theophany and Baptism, February 2025

We recently celebrated the Feast of Theophany at a local beach, along with our church’s first baptism. Though cold and wet, we followed the examples of our early Holy Celtic Mothers and Fathers, many of whom prayed in open water as a form of ascesis. In this way, the blessing of the waters proved to be a delightful way to recall the Irish saints and retrace their spiritual legacy in our earthy surroundings.

One of the congregants shared his video footage of the baptism:

ALBUM 12: History of Shanakeever Valley, Oct. 2024

Hoping to better understand our locality, we recently looked into the history of the Shanakeever Valley. The heritage of the land offers a glimpse into the experience of the people who lived in this wild and remote corner of Ireland.

ALBUM 11: Native Wildflowers of the Valley, Aug. 2024

In an effort to identify some of the valley’s plant species, we have been using PlantNet, which is free, easy, and intelligently designed. It has helped us identify and sort through which flowers are native, edible, medicinal, useful to wildlife, etc.

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ALBUM 10: Saint Ita’s Farm Updates, July 2024

This year, on Saint Ita’s Community Farm, we started a few small projects, beginning on St. Modomnoc‘s feast day by blessing a hive of Black Irish honeybees. In Spring, we planted buckwheat and we also sowed a crop of potatoes; so far looking healthy. Lately, we acquired two Dexter heifers with the goal of dairy production:

ALBUM 9: 1st Pascha in St. Patrick’s Chapel, May 2024

Christ is Risen! Our first Pascha in the Saint Patrick’s chapel meant a lot of preparation, learning the texts, memorising new melodies, and building the base of the cross. The Paschal lilies bloomed very beautifully for several weeks thereafter:

ALBUM 8: Irish Orthodox Pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick, April 2024

During Lent, under a beaming April sun, we climbed Croagh Patrick together with a group of Orthodox young people in Ireland. Gathering from many corners of the island, we traced the footsteps of our Venerable Father Saint Patrick, who fasted there on the mountain for 40 days and nights during the Lent of 441 AD. Fr. Robert led a Moleben to Saint Patrick near the peak, and we pray for his continued blessing upon the Irish people and land. Holy Bishop Patrick pray to God for us!

ALBUM 7: First Saint Patrick’s Day, March 30, 2024

On March 30, 2024, we celebrated our first Patron’s Feast Day with a Divine Liturgy. May Saint Patrick continue to strengthen and inspire us as he intercedes for our salvation.

ALBUM 6: The Holy Well of Saint Gregory Ceannanach, March 23, 2024

A few days before Saint Patrick’s feast day, we celebrated the feast of Saint Gregory of Ceannanach († c. 490 AD).  Among the few martyrs who died in bringing the faith to Ireland, he’s a local saint for whom the nearby town of Cleggan is loosely named. There remains a standing stone from the 6th C near the place where he was martyred, and where a church was founded in his name. The old church eventually became a graveyard, like the many graveyards found around these early Christian foundations. Located about 10 minutes walk from the church, the Holy Well continues as a fresh, running spring with watercress and other herbs marking its sweetness.

ALBUM 5: Winter in Clifden, Feb. 2024

Though hard work, our first months in Ireland have been rewarding. Even in deep winter, the beauty of the Connemara scenery inspires and encourages us. Our primary focus has been to fine tune plans, build up a liturgical team, and offer services. Accordingly, we have celebrated many Divine Liturgies this winter. These include the feasts of Saint Anastasia, Saint Seraphim of Sarov, Saint Genevieve, local Saint Féchín of Fore and Omey Island, Saint Ita, Saint Xenia, and Saint Brigid. Father Robert also waded into the waters of the Atlantic to extend the blessing of Theophany. As we pray, the glow of the candle against the long dark winter nights offers reassurance of God’s promise:

Let my prayer be set before Thee as incense,
The lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.”

Psalm 141:2

ALBUM 4: First Divine Liturgy October 29, 2023

After lengthy preparation, we joyfully celebrated our first Divine Liturgy in the Chapel of Saint Patrick in Clifden, Ireland.  Archpriest Paul Elliott, Chancellor of the Diocese, blessed the altar. Then, we celebrated the Feast of Saint Longinus, the Roman centurion who stood at the foot of the Cross. The Lord gave us a beautiful day, starting with the sunrise, a joyous liturgy, homemade soda bread scored with an Orthodox cross, and, finally, a sunset at the nearby site of Saint Patrick’s bed at Mám Éan.  Glory to God!

ALBUM 3: Saying Goodbye to Germany, July and August 2023

With the Apostel-Thomas-Kirche, we celebrated one of our last Orthodox Divine Liturgies in Germany. We celebrated in what locals call the Ähndl—the “ancestor” church, and oldest in Oberbayern.  Founded by Celtic Christian missionaries in the 7th Century, Saint George’s in Murnau am Moos houses one of the oldest Christian bells in Europe. It is thought to have originated in Ireland, like those made at the time of Saint Patrick. At the ensuing farewell picnic, prepared by many loving hands, we received a special gift, which we now carry with us to Ireland: an outpouring of prayers, well-wishes, and affectionate greetings from Germans who still recall with gratitude the faith of early Irish missionaries! 

ALBUM 2: Building the Chapel of Saint Patrick, June 2023

While commemorating the Feast of Pentecost, Father Robert and some friends of the mission built the altar and iconostasis for the Chapel of Saint Patrick. We hope to be able to use the chapel for worship starting in Autumn 2023.

Album 1: Ordination of Father Robert, February 2023

Axios! God called Fr. Robert into the service of priesthood after many years of prayer and preparation. Ordained just before the season of Lent, the Sunday also happened to fall on the Feast of Saint Modomnoc. A fellow beekeeper, Fr. Robert felt particularly blessed by this Irish saint. May the Lord continue to bless his mission work in Western Ireland!