The Embassy of Ireland to the Holy See has published a beautiful map of religious and historic connections of Ireland in Rome, to celebrate the Jubilee and working with members of the Irish religious community in Italy.

From the early missionaries to medieval travellers and scholars, fleeing earls, exiled bishops, priests, monks and nuns, and of course, pilgrims, Rome and its churches have been a destination for Irish people throughout the centuries. Those links remain as strong as ever today.

Beautifully illustrated by John Rooney, the map features 12 important religious sites across Rome and their connection with Ireland, as well as an audio guide, giving Irish pilgrims a very special insight into the city. Here’s an overview of these 12 special places:

1. Irish Chapel of St Columbanus – Crypt of St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City

St Peter’s is the epicentre of the Catholic faith and needs little introduction. Many people don’t realise but since 1954 there has been an Irish Chapel, dedicated to St Columbanus, in the underground crypt. Pilgrims may attend mass there by appointment only.

2. An Irish wartime hero – Campo Santo Teutonico, Vatican City

Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, the so-called ‘scarlet pimpernel of the Vatican’ resided here during the Nazi occupation of Rome and from his base inside the Vatican walls ran his ‘escape line’, saving thousands of Jews and Allied Prisoners of War. Today, it is an oasis of peace with a commemorative plaque to O’Flaherty.

3. An Irish martyr honoured – Santa Maria dell’Anima

The church of Santa Maria dell’Anima has strong Irish links. Conor O’Devany was consecrated bishop of Down and Connor there on 13 May 1582, along with two other Irish bishops. He was hanged, drawn and quartered in Dublin on 1 February 1612. O’Devany was beatified by Pope St John Paul II in 1992. A plaque commemorating his beatification was erected in the church in 2000.

4. Official Church for English speakers in Rome – Basilica of San Silvestro in Capite

In the heart of the city and dating from the 8th century, the Basilica of San Silvestro in Capite is the official church for English-speakers in Rome. The Basilica is administered by the Irish province of the Pallottines. It has a special place in the heart of many Irish couples who have been married there through the years.

5. Irish links to iconic piazza – Piazza di Spagna

This iconic central Roman piazza is the location of two sites with strong links to Ireland:

The Mater Dei (Poor Servants of the Mother of God) Sisters ran a school and convent here for almost 140 years while the nearby Palazzo di Propaganda Fide is where Irish Saint Oliver Plunkett was ordained and spent 15 years working. Plunkett set out from Ireland to Rome in 1647.

6. Irish national church in Rome – St Isidore’s College

Founded by Waterford man Luke Wadding in 1625, St Isidore’s College is the oldest Irish foundation in Rome. It has never been out of Irish hands, except for two brief periods during the French occupations of Rome in 1797-98 and 1809-1814.

It now houses an international centre for Franciscan Studies and Research. Irish friars in formation also form part of the community in St Isidore’s while studying theology in Rome.

7. Ireland’s patron saint in Rome – St Patrick’s Church

The foundation stone was laid by Limerick Augustinian Fr Patrick Glynn in 1888 and the church was consecrated and opened on St Patrick’s Day 1911. For over 100 years, it was administered by the Irish Augustinians and many Irish couples were married there. In 2017, the church was leased to the American Paulist community and since then has been the Church of St Patrick’s Catholic American Parish in Rome.

8. Former home of the Irish College and Daniel O’Connell’s heart – Basilica of Sant’Agata dei Goti

One of the oldest churches in Rome, dating from c. AD467, this beautiful Basilica in the Monti neighbourhood was home to the Irish College from 1837-1926. The heart of Daniel O’Connell was buried there in 1847 but subsequently lost. Medallions of eight Irish saints can be seen in the Basilica as well as memorial plaques to several notable Irishmen.

9. 2000 years of history – Basilica of San Clemente

Minutes from the Colosseum, the Basilica with its underground archaeological complex is one of the world’s great treasures. Visitors can experience different levels of Rome’s past, from the 1st century temple to the current 12th century Basilica, and discover the layers of history and prayer, administered by the Irish Dominicans since 1677.

10. Centuries of formation in Rome – Pontifical Irish College

From its establishment in 1628 by Luke Wadding to the present day, the Pontifical Irish College has changed location several times. But, for almost 400 years, it has stood as a place of welcome, prayer, study and formation for priests from Ireland and other parts of the world.

11. Final resting place of Donnchad, son of Brian Boru – Santo Stefano in Rotondo

The Basilica of Santo Stefano Rotondo on the Coelian hill was built in the 5th century to house the relics of St Stephen. It was an important place of pilgrimage and lodging for travellers. When Donnchad, a son of Brian Boru, was deposed as king of Munster in 1063, he went to Rome on pilgrimage. He died there the following year and was buried in the basilica. There is a plaque on the wall commemorating him.

12. Burial place of Earls of Ulster – San Pietro in Montorio

The Church of San Pietro in Montorio on the Gianiculum Hill contains the graves of Hugh O’Neill and Rory O’Donnell, the Ulster Earls whose ‘flight’ from Ireland in 1607 has become legendary. Other Irish exiles are buried there, including O’Neill’s eldest son Hugh, and O’Donnell’s brother Caffar.

You can download the map here: Ireland in Rome Map

You can watch more videos and listen to the audio guides on the website of the Embassy of Ireland to the Holy See.

You can find details about our upcoming pilgrimages to Rome here: PILGRIMAGES TO ITALY or contact our team to book.