Divine Sparks with Áine Lawlor

Faith in space – Leo Enright. The story of Knock Airport – Nikki Carter. Philippa Hanna, Christian singer/songwriter. Report: Evangelical worship. Divorce in a changing Ireland – Lindsey Earner-Byrne. Essay: The quiet miracle of Spring – Rosalind Skillen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Origin and tradition of the Stations of the Cross – Fr. Kieran O’Mahony. Report: The Easter story through children’s eyes – Siofra Mulqueen. Artistic portrayals of the crucifixion – Paul Whittington. What is a good death? – Ursula Bates, Jean Callanan and Eileen Nolan. Easter essay – Jennifer Horgan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pete Hegseth's conservative Christian convictions – Marion McKeone. ISIS Brides - Dr. Nussaibah Younis. Report: Glenstal Abbey by Siofra Mulqueen. Ireland’s first transgender Minister – Teagan MacAodhagáin. Essay: On Penance and Politics by Kevin Hargaden. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Glenstal Abbey - extended report. Síofra Mulqueen explores the daily lives and work of the monks who live in this Benedictine community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lorraine O’Connor & Hafsah Seyed on celebrating Eid. Jan ní Fhlanagain reports on reimagining spirituality. Andrew Graystone discusses the challenges facing new Archbishop of Canterbury, and Gina Menzies explores the Feast of the Assumption. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ireland’s psychiatric institutions: a troubling chapter in Ireland’s past . Niall Breslin discusses his documentary All That Remains on St. Loman’s Psychiatric Hospital and psychiatrist Prof. Brendan Kelly explores the legacy of psychiatric care in this country. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church: Donnacha Ó Beacháin. Report: Fashion of religious vestments – Siofra Mulqueen. Catholic upbringing as literary inspiration: novelist Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin. Spiritual roots of protest songs: David Stowe. Essay: Weather woes and the Child of Prague: See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From hardship to holiness – Pastor Nick Park. Report: The heavenly craft of communion wafers. The harrowing legacy of clerical abuse – Fr. Hans Zollner. Essay: Self-forgiveness, the toughest task of all – Lis Cashin. Ann Lee, leader of the Shakers – Nikki Carter. Religion in China – Denis Staunton. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lenten tradition of sacrifice and repentance – Lindsey Earner Byrne, TCD. Essay: Reflections from the Confessional – Michael Harding. Muslim Women Talk Ramadan - Shelina Janmohamed. Report: Cupid crosses congregations - Dave Macardle. Reopening of Clonskeagh Mosque – Patsy McGarry. Lough Derg – Monsignor Laurence Flynn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From pulpit to platform – Bishop Paul Tighe. Faith in the digital age – Maggie Phillips. Report: Choirs cultivating joy – Jan ní Fhlanaghain. Wigmore Hall’s John Gilhooly. The rise of spiritual books – Peter Admirand. Essay: Why writers are drawn to God – Dakota Fanning. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Religious symbols – Tom Inglis. The Forgiveness Project – Marina Cantacuzino. Our Lady’s Hospice report – Dave Macardle. Brigit, Lady of the Irish Otherworld – Pauline Breen. Early Christian women – Nikki Carter. My Hijab, a personal reflection – Hafsah Sayed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Pews to Power: Faith and friction across the United States. Guests: Russell Contreras, Justice and Race Reporter at Axios, journalist Marion McKeone, Prof. Massimo Faggioli Trinity College Dublin and Lutheran Pastor Angela Denker. Report from San Francisco by Yvonne Judge. Radio essay by Carole Coleman. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poet John F. Deane. 20th-Century catholic converts – Melanie McDonagh. Report: Miracles. Personal faith versus state-enforced Islam – Imam Ibrahim Michael Noonan. Moral messages at the movies – Paul Whittington. Essay: Musk and Netflix – Cara O’Doherty. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Jewish community after Bondi - Tamir Aloni. Report: Hanukkah in Dublin. Daniel O’Connell documentary - Ruan Magan. Essay: McGregor’s Vatican wedding – Sandra McDonald. Cultivating calm at Christmas – Kathy Donaghy & Michael Harding. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bondi aftermath - Tamir Aloni. Daniel O’Connell documentary - Ruan Magan. Finding hope in a time of homelessness - Siobhan Garrigan. Contemplation at Christmas - Kathy Donaghy and Michael Harding. Report: Hanukkah. Essay: McGregor’s Vatican wedding – Sandra McDonald See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Religious or multi faith schools – David Quinn and Jane Donnelly. Pope Leo’s favourite movies – Peter Admirand. Essay: What should we call Christmas? – Emily Hourican. Vatican votes against women deacons – Gina Menzies. Unmaking the Virgin Mary – Chine McDonald. Report - 50 years of the Alice Leahy Trust. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colm Toibin on the making of the Virgin Mary. Frank McNally essay - Nativity play pandemonium. Maurice Cohen on Irish Jews' sense of identity and belonging. 15 Years of the Muslim Sisters of Éire - Soup kitchen report and Lorraine O'Connor and Aisha Ali interview. Colm Flynn on Pope Leo's first overseas trip. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the week that Pope Leo began his first overseas trip to Turkey, Mary MacAleese assesses his first 200 days. Report: Irish baha'is. Ruhi Jahanpour, survivor of religious persecution. Paul Vallely on his book Live Aid: The Definitive 40 Year Story. Anne Gildea essay: The spirit of Advent meets the commercial countdown. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Church of England child abuse - Andrew Graystone. Parrott’s divine hat-trick – Ken Early. Report - Dublin’s new cathedral. St Laurence O’Toole - Philippa Byrne. Composing a mass - Michael Holohan. Singing in a sacred space – Ian Robertson essay. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Áine Lawlor's extended interview with Andrew Graystone, author of Bleeding for Jesus: John Smyth and the Cult of Irwerne Camps which will be published later this November. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imam Ibrahim Michael Noonan, founder of Galway Mosque. Dr. Barry Cannon - far-right extremism. Report: Sacred relics. Historian Nikki Carter - Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. Michel-Yves Bolloré - does God exist? Essay: Prof Brendan Kelly See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Threats to global religious freedom - Michael Kelly. Religion & politics: peace/conflict? – Rev. Dr. Gary Mason. Religions in the NEIC - Richard Carson & Sophie Maneva. Remembrance reflection – Richard Downes. Chaplains report – Siofra Mulqueen See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An extended interview with Rev. Dr. Gary Mason from the second episode of 'Divine Sparks with Áine Lawlor' first broadcast on 07th November 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On All Hallows’ Eve, Gen Z’s Catholic revival (Ellen Coyne, Sarah Ryan Purcell & PJ Cronin), Siofra Mulqueen report – Patron Saints. John Henry Newman’s ultimate accolade (Fr. Gary Chamberland). Modern paganism (Dr. Jenny Butler). Ghosts of Halloween past (Michael Harding). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.