Over 500 followers of the Bahá'í faith from Ireland and abroad are attending a residential summer school at Newtown School, Waterford, the grounds of which have been transformed in to a Glastonbury-style tented village this week.
The gathering, which continues until Sunday, features a range of social and educational gatherings and workshops focusing on the study of the Bahá'í faith.
A new feature is a day devoted to inter-faith activity during which people from various faiths will engage in discussions about their approaches to religion and spirituality. Irish and overseas speakers will make more formal presentations on topics coming under the summer school's broad theme of "Sincerity of Faith".
According to their Irish website, the most important principle for a Bahá'í is "the oneness of humanity". The site says: "Bahá'ís believe that the creation of harmony and unity between all the people of the world is the fundamental purpose of religion. Recognition of the oneness of humanity is the foundation for the other principles of social justice in the Bahá'í faith.
"The purpose of religion and God's intention for humanity is for us to realise that we are all members of one family, who are equally precious and valuable in the sight of God, and that we should learn how to live together in peace and unity." The Bahá'í faith was established in Ireland in 1948, with the first summer school held 20 years later.