Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Most Irish claim to be Catholic, and shrines to the Virgin Mary still grace rural road-
sides. But church attendance has decreased dramatically over the past 35 years, due in part
to child-abuse scandals at parochial schools. If not for the influx of newly arriving devout
Catholic Poles, attendance would be even lower. Yet the shamrock—used by St. Patrick to
explain the concept ofthe Holy Trinity—remains the most recognizable symbol ofIreland.
And the resilient Irish people maintain an unsinkable and optimistic belief in the future.
