As young people all over the country come down from the high of Oxegen 2009, there is no need to hang up the wellies just yet.
The upcoming Clonmacnoise Summer Youth Festival from 13–16 August is a festival with a difference, as young Irish Catholics take to their tents and celebrate their faith, incorporating the camping and fun atmosphere of a music festival with the very best of what it means to be Catholic.
Last year was the first time that Youth 2000 hosted their annual summer festival in Clonmacnoise, and the response was unprecedented. Even the torrential rain couldn’t keep more than 700 festival-goers away, and organisers are expecting up to 1,000 young people to attend this year.
According to the organisers, the weekend will give young people the opportunity to experience their Catholic faith in a new and uplifting way. The festival programme includes Mass, a Christian concert, talks, workshops, and plenty of time to chill out.
Free buses will travel to the festival from across the country, and the whole weekend is free – food and accommodation included – with young people being asked to make whatever donation they can afford towards the cost of the weekend.
More details can be found at www.youth2000.ie or by calling the Youth 2000 national office at 01 675 3690.
Upcoming events
Celebrations for the annual All Ireland Igbo cultural festival will be held in Dublin on Saturday 22 August 2009 from 2pm at the Inchicore Sports Centre, St Michael Estate, Inchicore, Dublin 8.
The Embassy of the Philippines has announced a memorial mass for former President Cory Aquino at 10am on Saturday 8 August 2009 at the Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church, 56 Aungier Street, Dublin 2. The Carmelites were a significant part of President Aquino's life. The order’s convent in Cebu was her refuge at the onset of People Power in 1986. All are cordially invited to attend the memorial mass in her honour.
Corrections and clarifications
In last week’s World Supplement on South Africa, we inadvertently quoted the 2009 figure for Irish Aid’s support to South Africa at €65bn. The actual projected figure for the next five years is €65m, with €5.9m projected for development assistance in 2009. We regret the error.
