Tourism push to Holy Land amid ongoing conflict and safety concerns
Religious programming on local radio stations in Cavan has recently highlighted various mission and spiritual initiatives. Shannonside FM's weekly religious show featured discussions on the 'Come Follow Me' program, with Sisters Yesint and Karina contributing spiritual reflections as part of the station's Sunday morning schedule.
Father Jason Murphy from Kilmore Diocese has been profiled discussing his two decades of work in Zambia. Since the early 2000s, when he was initially invited by Sister Rita Deignan to support educational efforts, Murphy has established an ongoing mission programme that brings young people from Cavan to volunteer during summer months. Recent participants Connor Smith, Evan McKiernan, and Matthew Mohan have returned from such placements, where volunteers work with Sisters of Mercy on projects including well construction and clinic building. The initiative featured prominently ahead of the annual St. Patrick's Day collection for Kilmore missions.
Separately, radio discussion has addressed the challenges facing tourism to the Holy Land amid persistent conflict and safety concerns. Representatives including Michael Kelly have been working to encourage visitors to return to the region, though current conditions have significantly impacted travel to the area. A guide shared photographs depicting a notably quiet Jerusalem, illustrating the tourism downturn affecting this spiritually significant destination.
For more details, tune into Shannonside FM's local programming.
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Further coverage
Shannonside FM and Northern Sound broadcast their Sunday morning religious program 'Side by Side' featuring interviews and spiritual reflection. The program on the Third Sunday of Lent included discussion of Gospel passages, featuring Sister Yesint and Sister Karina discussing the 'Come Follow Me' program.
Father Jason Murphy from Kilmore Diocese discussed his 20 years of work supporting projects in Zambia, including bringing young people from Cavan to volunteer there. The interview, part of Shannonside FM's Side by Side program, features Murphy alongside three young volunteers—Connor Smith, Evan McKiernan, and Matthew Mohan—who recently returned from summer work in Zambia. The feature marks advance promotion of the annual St. Patrick's Day collection for Kilmore missions.
Sister Yesint and Sister Karina were scheduled to discuss the 'Come Follow Me' program on Shannonside FM's Side by Side program. The program was noted as 'a lovely program' by the presenter, suggesting it is a valued spiritual initiative.
Father Jason Murphy from Kilmore Diocese has spent the past 20 years supporting projects in Zambia, bringing groups of young people from Cavan to work on various initiatives during summer months. In an interview, he discusses how he was initially invited to Zambia in the early 2000s by Sister Rita Deignan to help students through their Grade 11 exams, and how this led to establishing an ongoing mission program. Since 2006, he has brought multiple groups of young people to work with Sisters of Mercy on projects including building wells and clinics, particularly during the AIDS epidemic.
Radio discussion highlighted the severe decline in tourism to the Holy Land, with photographs of a deserted Jerusalem shared by a guide. The conversation touched on ongoing conflict and instability affecting the region, while noting efforts by figures like Michael Kelly to encourage visitors to return. The presenters reflected on the spiritual significance of the conflict-affected area where Christ lived and worked.