Host: Kathy Sinnott with guests Sr. Marie Fox, Seamus Rickard and Fr. Niall O'Connell OFM

Ireland's National Ploughing Championships attracts some 300,000 people annually and is probably the largest event of its kind in Europe. Catholic evangelists report that hunger for the Faith among visitors is unprecedented. EWTN Ireland exhibited at the event and Celtic Connections takes a close look at how evangelisation is booming at Ireland's National Ploughing Championships.

Host Kathy Sinnott with Dominic O'Reilly

Part 1.

A refection by Celtic Connections host Kathy Sinnott entitled: "Know your Enemy and how to Defeat Him - The Strategy to Protect Unborn Children in Ireland". Kathy's talk was given at the Dublin conference "Protect and Cherish the 8th Amendment", hosted by the European Life network and the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children.

Part 2.

Queens University Catholic Chaplaincy Belfast has been an oasis and a refuge for Catholic students over many decades in Northern Ireland. This includes the period known as "The Troubles"; thirty years of civil strife between nationalists and loyalists, Irish and British, Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland. Former Queens student Dominic O'Reilly, author of the book "Space for Grace", gives a fascinating account of life at Queens Chaplaincy through the darkest times of The Troubles. His book includes contributions from international celebrities whose faith has been fostered through the chaplaincy at Queens, namely members of The Priests singing trio.

Host Kathy Sinnott with guests Dr. Caroline Farey and Fr. Guy de Gaynesford

One of the most important mandates a Catholic institute of education can have is to form missionaries for the New Evangelisation. The School of the Annunciation, Buckfast Abbey Devon England, is doing just that. Taking a close look at how and what the School teaches, Stefano Mazzeo talks to school faculty members, Dr. Caroline Farey, Director of Studies - and Fr. Guy de Gaynesford, School Rector.

Host: Kathy Sinnott with guest

Rebecca Kiessling

In 2013 the Irish government legalised abortion in limited circumstances. Abortion advocates are determined to extend so called "reproductive rights" across Ireland. A major obstacle to this intent is written into the Irish Constitution which, in its Eight Amendment, affirms the life of the unborn. Arguments being made by abortion advocates include for cases of incest and rape. Kathy's guest Rebecca Kiessling from the Save The 1 organisation was conceived in rape and is an abortion survivor. Rebecca is visiting Ireland as a guest of Northern Ireland's pro- life group Precious Life. She recently spoke at Dublin conference "Protect and Cherish the 8th Amendment" hosted by the European Life network and the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children. Today we hear Rebecca's story.

Host: Kathy Sinnott with guest Fr. Eugene O'Neill

In this month of the Holy Souls, Kathy's guest reflects on Irish traditions around the death of a loved one. Fr. Eugene O'Neill, St. Patrick's parish Belfast, laments that some Irish Catholic traditions are being eroded or even replaced by secular one's. Father takes a close look at the traditional Irish wake and the rich spirituality that undergirds the final journey of the Christian.

Host: Kathy Sinnott with guests Bishop Oliver Doeme and Fr. Michael Ross SDB

Part 1.

The diocese of Maiduguri in north east Nigeria has been devastated by attacks of Islamic militant group Boko Haram. In the diocese more than 350 churches have been burnt to the ground. 25 of the 46 priests have been driven from their parishes. 100,000 of the faithful have been displaced. An estimated 5,000 Catholics have been killed since the start of the insurgency. Bishop Oliver Doeme of Maiduguri diocese recounts his remarkable vision of Our Lord who presented him with the rosary as a weapon to defeat the enemies of his diocese.

Part 2.

One of Ireland's most beloved priests, Salesian Fr. Michael Ross died his week surrounded by his family and his religious Community in Dublin. Kathy shares an insightful and prophetic interview with Fr. Michael in which he shares his hopes for a renewal of the Faith in Ireland.

Host: Kathy Sinnott with Fr. John Murray

Saints of Our Time is a collection of short biographies of saints and holy people of our time. Celtic Connections talks to author Fr. John Murray director of the National Shrine of St. Patrick in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland. Fr. John writes: "I want to help people see that sanctity and holiness does not just belong in the ancient past, but is something attainable in the modern age". Bio's include Edith Stein, Rose Hawthorne, Archbishop Futon Sheen and Bishop Oscar Romero.

Part 1.

EWTN TV host Susan Conroy is visiting Ireland. Susan is well known for her series on St. Mother Teresa and St. Therese of Lisieux. Susan visits Kathy in Cork to talk about her friendship with Mother Teresa and Mothers connection to Ireland. Susan also shares movingly about the faith she received from her Irish grandparents and about how we too can pass on the Faith to our children.

Part 2

Vernon Robertson, host of EWTN series' "How to Pray for your Sons and Daughters and Loved Ones" and "Praying the Prodigals Home", has an encouraging message for parents and grandparents whose grownup children have left the Faith.

Host: Kathy Sinnott with guests Mattie McGrath, Fr. John Murray, Fr. John Keane and Michelle Moran

The Ceili Catholic Community in Ireland has a mission to evangelise. Celtic Connections joins community members at a parish mission in St. Patrick's Parish, Downpatrick in Northern Ireland, the national shrine of St. Patrick. Parishioners are visited and invited personally to attend the mission by the Ceili mission team. Kathys guests are parish priest Fr. John Murray and Ceili community members Mattie McGrath and Fr. John Keane. Michelle Moran from the Sion Community in Britain also has words of wisdom on how to evangelise.

Host: Kathy Sinnott with guests Liam Gibson, Bernadette Smyth, Jim Wells MLA, Prof. Martin McCaffrey and Fr. Eamon Roche

Part 1.

Northern Ireland is one of the most pro-life territories in the world. There is a fierce and continuous battle going on in Ireland, north and south, on the question of abortion. Latest moves involve a private members bill tabled at the Northern Ireland Assembly. The bill proposes relaxation of abortion law in cases involving severely disabled unborn children. Debate has been centred on a fictitious health category "fatal foetal abnormality". A group representing families effected by the proposed bill, Every Life Counts, hosted a major conference on the plight of children targeted by the bill. Celtic connections has a full report.

Part 2.

EWTN host Susan Conroy is visiting Ireland. Susan is a former friend of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Cork priest Fr. Eamon Roche talks about Susan's speaking tour and her messages about Mother Teresa, the Year of Mercy and pro-life.