In his first address to his diocese, the new Bishop of Cloyne threw down the gauntlet to the banks, warning they need to “do more of the heavy lifting” as the financial crisis is crushing ordinary people.

The age-old national pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick got Vatican approval yesterday when Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Charles J Brown completed the climb and afterwards declared himself delighted by the experience.

Over 100,000 pilgrims are expected to make the annual climb to the peak of Croagh Patrick tomorrow morning.