I took these two pictures on the Hill of Slane, where St. Patrick lit the Easter fire to begin his mission. We had the great privilege of assisting at Mass here, among the ancient ruins on this hallowed site. The view of green rolling countryside in all directions was breathtaking, and the combination of receiving Our Lord in Holy Communion and gazing on that view afterward while making our thanksgiving, was infinitely soothing and comforting to the soul.

I'd like to share this lovely quote:

"On my visit to Ireland in 1961, it was my privilege to attend the Patrician Congress commemorating the 15th centenary of the death of St. Patrick. With ninety thousand other spectators, I knelt in Croke Park at the Pontifical High Mass when a flourish of trumpets announced the 'Sanctus'. That silvery sound, stirring as it was, did not begin to have the poignant beauty of the ancient bell tone which rang out at the Elevation. The large, battered sacring bell which had been borrowed from its jewel-studded shrine in the National Museum was, according to tradition, the very bell with which Patrick had summoned the Gaels centuries ago...."

This picture was borrowed from the National Museum of Dublin website: see it here.

Continuation of the quote: "As the Apostle of Ireland walked the hills and meadows of ancient Hibernia, he set ringing the clear sound of the Faith which still vibrates in the hearts of his people... In spite of long periods of persecution, Ireland has never relinquished the Faith which Patrick brought her. To hear those ninety thousand believers thunder forth, 'Faith of our Fathers, holy Faith, we will be true to thee till death!' was a moving and an unforgettable experience. Many of the ancestors of these same people had literally been true unto death."

~ Sister Maryanna Childs, O.P.