Clonard Monastery facts for kids
Clonard Monastery is a Catholic church located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is home to a community of the Redemptorists, who are a Catholic religious order.
Contents
History of Clonard Monastery
Clonard Monastery has a long and interesting history. In the late 1800s, many Catholic people lived in Belfast. It was hard for the local church leaders to help everyone. So, in 1896, the Bishop of Down and Connor, Henry Henry, asked a group called the Redemptorists to come to Belfast.
The Redemptorists first built a small church made of tin in 1897. A few years later, in 1890, they opened a monastery building. This was a place for the Redemptorist community to live. Finally, in 1911, the main Church of the Holy Redeemer opened. This new church replaced the smaller tin church.
Restoring the Church
The church building needed some important work. From 2008 to 2012, Clonard Church went through a big restoration project. This work cost about £3 million pounds. It helped to make sure the church stays in good condition for many years to come.
Religious Activities
The Clonard community has always encouraged different ways for people to show their faith.
- Confraternities: In 1897, they started groups called confraternities for men and women. These groups offered religious services and teaching. They were very popular for a long time. However, fewer people joined over the years, so these groups closed in 2019 and 2020.
- Novena to Our Lady: Clonard is famous for its annual Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. A novena is a special prayer that lasts for nine days. This event attracts over 100,000 visitors each year. People from all over Ireland, both Catholic and Protestant, come to take part.
Clonard and The Troubles
Clonard Monastery is located in an important area of Belfast. It sits between the mainly Catholic Falls Road district and the mainly Protestant Shankill Road district. This area was often called an Interface area during the troubles, which was a period of conflict in Northern Ireland.
In August 1969, there were serious attacks on homes in streets behind the monastery, like Bombay Street. Many houses were burned down, and people had to leave their homes. The priests from Clonard helped to protect the local residents during these difficult times.
Two important priests who worked for peace, Father Alec Reid and Father Gerry Reynolds, lived at Clonard.
Working for Peace Today
Clonard Monastery has played a big role in bringing people together.
- Peace and Reconciliation: In 1981, the Redemptorists at Clonard started working with Fitzroy Presbyterian Church. This made the monastery a key place for peacemaking. Secret talks between important leaders, John Hume and Gerry Adams, happened here. These talks helped lead to a ceasefire by the IRA in 1994.
- Music and Festivals: Clonard is also used as a place for music events. It hosts parts of city festivals, like Féile an Phobail.
See also
In Spanish: Monasterio de Clonard para niños
