Eibhlin O'Neill's blog

An 800 year old relic stolen from Dublin’s Christ Church Cathedral in 2012 has been found six years after its theft. In a intelligence led operation the Irish police (An Garda Síochána) found the missing heart of Lorcán Ua Tuathail, also known as Saint Laurence O'Toole (1128 – 14 November 1180), undamaged and wrapped in plastic in Phoenix Park (Páirc an Fhionnuisce). It has been reported that a tip-off led to the discovery and it has been suggested that the unidentified thieves were anxious for its return as they thought it was cursed and caused family members' illnesses.

Daniel O'Connell (Irish: Dónall Ó Conaill; 6 August 1775 – 15 May 1847) was an Irish political leader in the first half of the 19th century. He campaigned for Catholic emancipation and repeal of the Acts of Union which combined Great Britain and Ireland. This was established on 1 January 1801 by the Acts of Union 1800, which merged the parliaments of Great Britain and Ireland and incorporated the Kingdom of Ireland into the British Crown. The fight for Irish self-governance was to lead in Ireland seceding from the Union and forming the Irish Free State in 1922.

Thousands have attended a march and street festival in Dublin on Saturday in celebration of the Irish language. "Beo, Gaelach agus Bródúil" saw Gaeltacht communities, schools, college societies, sports clubs, families and language and community groups taking part.

The International Pan Celtic Festival returned to the Irish town of Letterkenny (Irish: Leitir Ceanainn) this year to great critical acclaim. The festival, which ran from Tuesday, April 3, to Sunday, April 8, included displays from marching bands, dancers and musicians from each of the Six Celtic Nations of Ireland (Éire), Wales (Cymru), Scotland (Alba), Brittany (Breizh), Cornwall (Kernow) and the Isle of Man (Mannin).

Moorehall is a large stately home over looking Lough Carra (Irish: Loch Ceara) and was built in the 1790's. The estate has a strong connection with 1798 rebellion. The Irish Rebellion of 1798 (Irish: Éirí Amach 1798), also known as the United Irishmen Rebellion (Irish: Éirí Amach na nÉireannach Aontaithe), was an uprising against British rule in Ireland which lasted from May to September 1798.

Michelle O'Neill, Vice President of Irish political party Sinn Féin and Leader of Sinn Féin in the Northern Ireland Assembly (Irish: Tionól Thuaisceart Éireann) has said there should be a referendum on Irish unity within the next five years. Speaking at an annual commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising in Belfast (Irish: Béal Feirste) on Sunday she pointed to the benefits that a united Ireland would bring for all of the people of Ireland.

The Easter Rising of 1916 is being commemorated around Ireland today including a military ceremony in O'Connell Street in Dublin. The uprising was mounted by Irish republicans to end British rule in Ireland. It was one of the defining moments of the long struggle for Irish independence. The ceremony in O'Connell Street was led by Ireland's President Michael D Higgins and the Taoiseach (Prime Minister). Prayers of remembrance were said, along with a reading of the Proclamation and the laying of a wreath by the President.

Archaeologists have discovered the remains of nine 12 Century houses during work being undertaken at Dean Street in the Coombe area of Dublin, Ireland's capital city. The dig is being undertaken ahead of the construction of a 234-bed hotel. The five dwellings and four outhouses would have originally been outside the old city walls of Dublin. They were preserved beneath the floors of later buildings on the site. An number of late Viking and medieval periods artefacts have been discovered, including a very well preserved drawing on slate of a man riding a horse.

Saint Patrick is the primary patron saint of Ireland and Saint Patrick's Day is observed on 17 March, which is said to be the date of his death. Celebrated inside and outside Ireland as a religious and cultural holiday, it is also a celebration of Ireland and all things Irish. Patrick was a 5th Century missionary, who came from Roman Britain and first arrived in Ireland as a slave. Patrick tells us he came from an area called Bannevam Taburniae.

The Marble Arch Caves are a series of natural limestone caves located near the village of Florencecourt (Irish: Mullach na Seangánin) in County Fermanagh  (Contae Fhear Manach) in the north of Ireland. They are close to a natural limestone arch called Marble Arch, under which the Cladagh River flows and from where the caves get their name. The caves are formed from three rivers draining off the northern slopes of Cuilcagh mountain, which combine underground to form the Cladagh.