What We Do

Esker Church

The church in Esker is a small, traditionally styled building. When full it seats about 250 people. During our two big events of the year, the Solemn Novena in June and the pre-Christmas Healing Mission, when the church is overflowing a number of times each day, it takes on a special aura of warmth, tranquility, and a deep sense of the presence of God.  People come to visit it from all over the county, and they like to pray and light a candle especially before the shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help.

Our two Sunday Masses, at 8.00am and 11.00am, are very well attended, with the later Mass always a lively event, with plenty of community singing.

Retreat House

There are a great range of retreats and courses held in our Retreat Centre during the year. They cater for people who are searching for meaning and for God in many different ways. (Please check our brochure). Groups who wish to use the amenities of the building and grounds for their own gathering are welcome to contact us, and will be facilitated if possible.

Youth Village

The Youth Village is a collection of converted outhouses, with plenty of open space. It is ideal for youth groups, with accommodation for about 70 people, two large meeting rooms, and a chapel. It is perfect for any group of young people who wish to get away for a few days or a weekend. We are located in the heart of Galway hurling, and we welcome underage hurling teams during the summer months who might want to play games against some Galway clubs.

Schools groups come here all through the school year for retreats.

Marriage Preparation Courses

The Esker Marriage Preparation Weekend is probably the premiership of marriage preparation. Beginning on Friday evening, and ending at lunch on Sunday, it is conducted by married couples, and gives the couple an opportunity to examine all aspects of their relationship in a caring and understanding environment.

Missions and Novenas

We Redemptorists were founded to preach the Word of God, and since the middle of the nineteeth century we have travelled all over the country preaching missions and novenas. We still retain that tradition. We will be glad to hear from any parish that wishes to have a special event, and we can guarantee that we will be able to provide them with a good team.

Our most notable event is the Galway Novena in the Cathedral each year in the month of February.