Athboy Parish

12/09/2026

14/08/2026

Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: tomorrow Saturday 15th August, a holyday.
Vigil Mass this evening @ 7.30pm
Mass tomorrow Saturday

“The Assumption of Mary honours the fullness of blessedness that was her destiny, the glorification of her immaculate soul and virginal body that completely conformed her to the risen Christ.” - Marialis Cultus

25/07/2026

Relic of St Oliver Plunkett: will be present in Athboy Church tomorrow, for 11.30am Mass for veneration and blessing.
St Oliver was born in Loughcrew, Oldcastle. He ordained to the priesthood in Rome in 1654 and remained in Rome as a professor of theology until he was appointed Archbishop of Armagh in 1669. St Oliver ministered in a covert way during the suppression of priests but was arrested in 1679 and found guilty of “promoting the Catholic faith.”
On 1st July 1681, St Oliver was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn. A stained glass window in Athboy Church side porch is dedicated to St Oliver.
Thank you to the Knights of St Columbanus for enabling visit of the relic

24/07/2026

Tomorrow Saturday, 25th July is the feast of St James the Apostle, patron of our parish. James, brother of John the Evangelist, was a fisherman when he was called by Jesus. He is believed to be the first of the apostles to die for Christ about the year 44. Tradition holds that St James brought the Gospel to Spain. For centuries, the scallop shell of St James, typically found on the sea-coast in Galicia, northern Spain, has been the symbol of the Camino de Santiago, and its pilgrims. Pilgrims returned to their countries of origin wearing the scallop co**ha shell over their habit or hat to demonstrate that they had reached Santiago and its famous gothic cathedral. According to tradition, when the remains of St James were originally unearthed, it was said to be covered in scallop shells.