Thousands of people walked through the streets of Cork City on Sunday participating in the Eucharistic Procession - a tradition in the city that dates back to the 1920’s
The Procession was led by the Butter Exchange Band and Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross, from the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Anne with the final prayers and Benediction taking place at the National Monument on Grand Parade on a specially constructed platform.
Individuals and groups from across the city and county were part of the celebration including First Holy Communion children, Catholic Girl Guides, The Guides and Scouts of Europe, Youth 2000, Parish Eucharistic groups throughout the Diocese and the Indian Syro-Malabar, Syro-Malankara, Brazilian, African, Polish, Croatian, Ukrainian, and Brazilian communities.
The newly-elected Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy, was accompanied by other members of Cork City Council and Rebecca Loughry. Director of Services, Community, Culture & Placemaking, Cork City Council.
Bishop Fintan Gavin imparts Benediction of Blessed Sacrament on a specially erected pplatform on the Grand Parade.This year marks 99 years since the first Corpus Christi Procession in the Cork city streets on June 6th, 1926. The idea of taking the Procession through the streets of Cork emerged in the years after the War of Independence and the Civil War in a bid to heal division.
Speaking at the 2025 Eucharistic Procession, Bishop Fintan Gavin said; “What a blessing it is to gather here at the heart of our city in faith, in prayer, and in hope - in the presence of one another. This Procession was born from a longing for unity after division, for peace after civil conflict. It was a public act of faith. As we stand here on the threshold of the 100th year, let us be the generation that not only keeps the tradition, but rekindles the fire of faith in our time. The procession we’ve just made through the streets is a living testimony to something the world needs to know more than ever: That God has not abandoned us. That in the Eucharist—we are not alone.”
“We are most grateful for such a huge turnout. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has worked in the background to make today what it was. We will be busy preparing now for the centenary next year. We are also very thankful for the gorgeous weather!”.
Bishop Fintan Gavin with some of the Filipino-Irish Community who attened the procession.
Pictured at the Corpus Christi Processionn are Fr. Jilsoni Kokkandathail CC, the newly-elected Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy with Bishop Emeritus John Buckley.
A section of the large crowd on the Grand Parade for the Procession.
Pic: Brian Lougheed
A section of the large crowd on the Grand Parade.
Sisters Patrycja and Natalia Pasion at the procession.
Pic: Brian Lougheed3
3Scouts and Guides of Europe at the procession.
Pic: Brian Lougheed
Patrick and his mum Agnieszk Slotwinska at the Procession.
Pic: Brian Lougheed
First Communion children at the Procession.
Pic: Brian Lougheed
The Blessed Sacrament, borne by Bishop Fintan Gavin, is carried across the Christy Ring Bridge in Cork.
Bishop Fintan blesses the sick during the Corpus Christi Procession, accompanied b y DEacons Frank McKevitt and David Lane.
Bishop Fintan Gavin imparts Benediction of Blessed Sacrament on a specially erected pplatform on the Grand Parade.
