Fr Paddy
Fr Paddy is the parish priest of Abbeyleix. From Carlow town, he was educated in Carlow CBS and studied Business and Politics in Trinity College Dublin before training to be a priest in Carlow College.
He writes for a number of media outlets. He has almost 31,000 followers on Twitter.
Fr Paddy: Time to pray for Palestine
It is utterly distressing to watch news reports of the war in Gaza and the West Bank.
Like so many others, the feelings of outrage...
Fr Paddy: Reflecting on Pope Leo’s first 100 days – filled with calmness and...
Pope Leo’s, first 100 days in the Petrine Office recently took place. His ministry is fuelled with deep discernment and prayer.
Two qualities stand out:...
Fr Paddy: The value of learning to slow things down
This week marks the beginning of October. I really love the colours associated with October, nature as it bids farewell to foliage and fruits...
Fr Paddy: Saint Pier Giorgio Michelangelo Frassati – becoming acquainted with the ‘less known’...
Recently, Pope Leo XIV declared Pier Giorgio Frassati, a young Italian from the 20th century who died at the age of 24, and Carlo...
Fr Paddy: Daniel O’Connell, the Great Liberator
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Daniel O’Connell, the “Great Liberator”.
Daniel O'Connell (1775–1847) changed the face of Irish history....
Fr Paddy: ‘It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses and worries’
September brings a rich feast for our senses.
Autumnal colours are very beautiful. In many ways’ autumn is a season of letting go. harvest...
Fr Paddy: Monsignor John Byrne – 25 years as Parish Priest of Portlaoise
Often in life, we only get the opportunity to speak well of someone we highly regard and respect, after they have physically gone from...
Fr Paddy: The Good Samaritan and what story Jesus might tell us today…
It was a lawyer who asked Jesus in the Gospel, ‘Who is my neighbour?’ He was probably expecting a definition that would determine the...
Fr Paddy: When did you last say your prayers?
When did you last say your prayers? This question makes all kinds of presumptions. Not least that people don’t pray.
Or that prayer has any...
Fr Paddy: Saint John Henry Newman – Doctor of The Church
Pope Leo XIV has declared Saint John Henry Newman a 'Doctor' of the church, bestowing one of the Catholic Church’s highest honours on the...
Fr Paddy: ‘Gratitude is a wonderful mindset and way of lifethat sustains a positive...
The month of August traditionally marks the beginning of autumn. For the Celtic people, this time of year was filled with festivity, engaging in...
Fr Paddy: Harvest time – ‘May we celebrate that the rich diversity that is...
Time and seasons come and go; so far 2025 seems to have moved very quickly, it's hard to believe, this week we begin the...
Fr Paddy: Our health is our wealth – the story of Saint Camillus
Our health is our wealth. Health of body and peace of mind are indeed rich blessings that many long for.
Western culture, continues to value...
Fr Paddy: Remembering Brother Kevin … A living Saint
In a statement announcing Br Kevin’s death on July 2, at Mount Desert Nursing Home in Cork, the Capuchins said he was known throughout...
Fr Paddy: ‘The happiest people don’t have the best of everything – they just...
It was disappointing to read that tourists visiting our beautiful island has greatly reduced in recent times. Ireland has benefited hugely from tourism, especially...
Fr Paddy: Society without a moral compass quickly disregards the integrity of all human...
A moral compass offers direction informed by values. Christianity is a wonderful moral compass based on gospel values of faith, hope and love.
I found...
Fr Paddy: A prayer for the Summer Solstice – the brightest days of the...
These weeks many cemetery masses take place in every parish across the country. I really like these occasions when family and communities unite in...
Fr Paddy: Spirit of God, Loving and free, Spirit of God, flow through me
Time moves by too quickly; soon we arrive at the longest day of the year - June 21.
These long bright days I pray will...
Fr Paddy: Health of body and peace of mind through the prism of St...
As we move through life, we all can agree with the wisdom, “Our health is our wealth”. Health of body and peace of mind...
Fr Paddy: Power of the possible with the story of the humble farmer Thomas
In a quaint village nestled between rolling hills and valleys of Mount Kilimanjaro, Thomas, a humble farmer, faced a severe drought that threatened his...
Fr Paddy: The Lord hears the cry of the poor!!
First Holy Communion, continues to be an incredibly special day, not just in the life of young people, but for their entire families and...
Fr Paddy: There is something about Leo
There has been huge focus on the Catholic Church over the past number of weeks.
As Pope Francis' health declined, media commentary intensified following his...
Fr Paddy: Ten tips for keeping balance and good mental health
As I write this article, the cardinal electors, are currently in conclave. Their task, to select the 267th successor of Peter.
I pray that the...
Fr Paddy: The Conclave – explaining the fascinating process of electing a new pope
As I write this article, looking out of my window, the month of May, begins in splendid sunshine. Birds singing loudly, new leaves on...
Fr Paddy: Remembering Pope Francis – a kind, courageous, and gentle pastor
The death of Pope Francis fills me with a deep sadness as we mourn the loss of a kind, courageous, and gentle pastor.
I also...
Fr Paddy: Carlo Acutis to be formally canonised and declared a saint
On Sunday, April 27, Carlo Acutis, will be formally canonised and declared a saint. This will take place in an open air ceremony in...
Fr Paddy: This Easter, let’s be bold in our hope, unshakable in our faith,...
These days of bright blue skies, and spring blossoms, make it easy to identify with the Easter message. In this Jubilee Year of Hope,...
Fr Paddy: We are invited to indulge in a wonderful promise that our God...
The month of April has begun with splendid sunshine and blue skies.
This is a beautiful time of year, nature awakens within us all a...
Fr Paddy: Prayer is often personal and perhaps is best practiced in silence
As we get closer to Holy Week it is good to reflect on how we pray. Prayer is often personal and perhaps is best...
Fr Paddy: Seven tips to help you achieve peace of mind
This week we celebrate the effects of the spring equinox. For the next six months there will be more light than darkness.
Light is good...