Castle Glenveagh Gardens


Castle Glenveagh, County Donegal Ireland, July 2007

Survey Results

The results of a recent religious knowledge survey conducted in Northern Ireland were released during this past year. (“Survey of Religious Knowledge in Northern Ireland” The Evangelical Alliance in Northern Ireland and the Iona Institute). This survey was a follow up to a similar poll carried out in the Republic of Ireland, both revealing low levels of basic religious knowledge in the population. The results make for sober reading. For example, in Northern Ireland, nearly two out of every three Protestants were unable to say how many gospels there are. There was also evidence of considerable difference between the generations, indicating that the Christian faith is continuing to play a less significant part in the lives of young people. As one commentator observed:


“…this poll again shows that the notion of Ireland, both North and South, being a Christian culture is becoming a thing of the past. The notion that Christianity can be transmitted through the culture from one generation to the next is clearly no longer valid. These findings present a challenge to all those who believe that the message of Jesus Christ needs to be heard in Irish society. Communicating that message is not primarily the job of schools or state institutions; it is the job of those who still believe the message.”
Sean Mullan.
EA Ireland


 Ayns y toshiaght va'n Goo, as va'n Goo marish Jee, as va'n Goo Jee.
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

As ghow yn Goo er dooghys ny foalley, as ren eh baghey nyn mast' ain (as hug shin my-ner yn ghloyr echey, yn ghloyr myr jeh'n ynrycan Mac er-ny-gheddyn jeh'n Ayr) lane dy ghrayse as dy irrinys.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten of the father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:1 and 14

Donegal Outreach Team

CPC Team Donegal 2007

Five individuals from Central Peninsula Church journeyed to County Donegal Ireland for two weeks. Here they are at the Castle Glenveagh waterfront landing.

Ireland Cafe Siopa

A group of five individuals from the SF Bay area journeyed to the Northwest of Ireland in July 2007.

We availed ourselves of the opportunity to speak to and learn from the Irish people of County Donegal for a period of two weeks. We learned of the heritage, the religion, the culture and the changes taking place in their land of Ireland, their hearts and their lives.

Music plays a large part in the communities we visited. One Wednesday evening, we had the opportunity to sing and play along with the locals at a favorite cafe. We played two familiar songs. One was Amazing Grace and the other was I'll Fly Away. When we had finished singing, we were asked if we knew any "pagan" songs. As it turned out, we were able to play a song that was quite familiar to our hosts.

Ireland Sing Along

We had opportunity to sing along with Ireland in the coffee house/cafe one evening. Notice out the back window how bright the sun shines at 9:00 p. m. in July in this country.