Twelve seminarians have begun studying for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College in Maynooth.
Three of the seminarians are from the diocese of Dublin, two are from Down and Connor, two are from Kerry, and there is one each from the dioceses of Clogher, Cloyne, Ferns, Meath and Raphoe.
At the end of September there will be a total of 64 seminarians studying for the priesthood in Maynooth.
The new candidates for the priesthood were yesterday welcomed to Maynooth by the president of the college, Msgr Hugh Connolly.
At the conclusion of the introductory programme at Maynooth at the end of September, three of the seminarians will continue their studies at St Malachy’s College in Belfast.