A characteristic of profound change is it quickly becomes the norm, a tangible sense of what was gradually evaporates. Nowadays Catholic churches are rarely half-full for Sunday mass. The attendance spike in the run-up to communions and confirmations is a temporary reminder of the way things once were. Many priests have reached the old age pension threshold but are still working. The fall-off in vocations suggests one of the dominant structures of Irish society for decades is now a sunset industry. There is no evidence to indicate the decline will stop. Another significant change is that Ireland has ceased to…

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