This book presents brief biographies of over 40 modern Irish men and women whose causes for canonization are in process, along with others who enjoy a strong reputation for sanctity. Written in response to Pope Benedict XVI’s call to the Irish to renew the Church in Ireland by drawing on the legacy of holiness offered by their ancestors, this book details the heroic lives of more recent saintly models to encourage contemporary Catholics to seek holiness in their lives.

Featuring chapters written by various contributors, including the postulators of some of the causes, the book offers moving insights into the subjects themselves and the times and places in which they lived. All are native-born Irish, some lived and died in Ireland, and some were missionaries in other countries as was often the Irish experience for a great part of its modern history.

This is a timely, important work given the decline of Christianity in western society, and the need for the Church in many countries to embrace a process of spiritual renewal and evangelization. While it deals with Irish models and the manifestation of Catholicism which might be considered unique to the Irish, it is a work for the universal Church since the Saints have relevance for all of us, regardless of where they are from.

Among those whose inspiring lives are told include Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, Fr. Willie Doyle, S.J., Father Edward Flanagan, Frank Duff, Sister Clare Crockett, Venerable Patrick Peyton, Venerable Matt Talbot, Venerable Edel Quinn, Blessed John Sullivan, Blessed Columba Marmion, and many more.

“Pope Benedict XVI said that the most powerful apology for the Church was to be found in her saints and in her artistic achievements. This collection of the lives of modern Irish men and women who lived their Catholic faith to a heroic degree is a much-needed antidote to the recent revelations of sinfulness in the Irish Church.  It is high time for these remarkable women and men be given the recognition they deserve. We urgently need the inspiration of their lives of holiness, and even more their intercession, if we are to live up to our own exalted calling as Catholic Christians to become salt of the earth.”
—Fr. Vincent Twomey, S.V.D., Author, The Dynamics of Liturgy: Joseph Ratzinger's Theology of Liturgy

“Not just the Irish, but Catholic peoples worldwide will be edified by this treasury of tightly crafted stories about the holy men and women of the Emerald Isle. Don’t miss it!”
—Sohrab Ahmari, Author, FROM FIRE, BY WATER: My Journey to the Catholic Faith

“Outside the finger of God, how will Catholic-fallen Ireland return to a place of grace? Part of the restoration will certainly come through its sacred legacy of telling stories. This book does what all great Irish literature does: it packs storyline after storyline into a page-turning masterpiece. These tales of recent Irish Catholic heroes, and saintly figures shoveled up from a persecuted past, take readers into a place of warmth, where a hearth fire burns brightly and warms readers with memories of what Ireland was and still can be.”
—Kevin Wells, Author, THE HERMIT: The Priest Who Saved a Soul, a Marriage, and a Family

“More than most nations, Ireland was formed and forged by the Faith. This is worth celebrating, which is why this celebration of the Ireland of the Faith is itself worth celebrating. In its pages, we are introduced to many holy Irish men and women who are little known or unknown, but who are worth knowing because they all laid down their lives for their friends. They are the best of Ireland who show Ireland at her best.”
 —Joseph Pearce, author, Catholic Literary Giants

“For many American Catholics, the Irish fairly define the Faith—and not just in New York, where every Archbishop has been either Irish-born or of Irish heritage. So it is both thrilling and inspiring to read of the more than five dozen Irish men and women up for sainthood. Among the most extraordinary is Fr. Willie Doyle, S.J., who gave his life serving the Doughboys in France during WWI. Here was a Christian whose courage arose from his commitment to do his duty and to do it well – even in the face of death. If ever there was a saint, Servant of God Willie Doyle was one for sure.”
—Brad Miner, Co-author, Sons of Saint Patrick: A History of the Archbishops of New York