"The Easter celebrations form the heart of our Christian living. We have journeyed in Holy Week through the darkness of betrayal and abandonment towards the light of forgiveness and new life in the Resurrection of Jesus. The Resurrection, the fulfilment of God's love for us, means that Jesus walks with all of us here and now, wherever we are in our life's journey. His Holy Spirit dwells within us.

As Easter people, we pray that the blessings, the joys, the wonders, the comforts and the challenges of this holy day will renew us in spirit and encourage us to be faithful witnesses and beacons of God's love and mercy each day". 

+ Donal



Easter online broadcasts, films and activities

Listed below are many organisations and online channels that have Easter activities you can join with online, watch on TV and listen on radio, ranging from live broadcasts with Pope Francis, Easter Mass from your parish, downloadable films, Easter activities for children and prayers for use in your home.


An Easter Reflection from Bishop McKeown 

"Alleluia, we are an Easter people." A message for Easter from Bishop Donal McKeown.

Click the play button on the video below to view.


Easter prayers and activities for children from the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre 

The Catechetical Centre is responsible for catechesis in the Diocese of Derry. The centre provides faith formation and religious education support to Catholic schools, parishes and families.

For Easter, the centre has variety of resources for prayer, projects and activities the whole family can engage in at home including;


Easter liturgies on RTÉ 

RTE broadcast a Mass or a Service at 11am every Sunday morning on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra. You can listen here.

Most viewers in the Republic of Ireland can also receive Radio 1 Extra via their television sets on Saorview Channel 201 and Virgin channel 920/940. You can also listen back via the RTÉ Radio Player

Nearly all of the radio Worship programmes on the station are shared with RTÉ One television, so viewers throughout Ireland can also watch Mass and Services there or on the RTÉ Player. Start times vary slightly between 11.00am and 11.10am.

There is also Mass in Irish, every week at 11.00am, on Raidio na Gaeltachta (93-95 Mhz).


Easter liturgies on Radio Maria 

Radio Maria are broadcasting 24 hours a day, with daily Mass at 10am. Radio Maria is available on:


Easter on FORMED.org 

FORMED provides the very best Catholic content from more than 60 organizations to help parishes, families and individuals explore their faith anywhere. Supporting thousands of movies, children's programs, ebooks, audio, parish programs and studies direct to your browser, mobile or connected device.

All 51 parishes in the Diocese of Derry have been introduced to FORMED and encouraged to avail of a discounted subscription, part funded by the diocese.

If your parish in the Diocese of Derry, has a parish subscription you only need to seach for your parish on FORMED and enter your email address to access everything.

If your parish is not listed, you can sign up for a free 7 day subscription. Why not do so for Easter? If you like it, make sure to tell you parish priest who can register your parish.


Films to watch on FORMED 

Easter documentary Special on FORMED

Triduum: A Spiritual Pilgrimage

FORMED are offering Triduum: A Spiritual Pilgrimage for free to everyone for Holy Week. This contemplative documentary cinematically walks through the locations of Holy Week and re-presents the most important days of human history.
Triduum: A Spiritual Pilgrimage is a beautiful, 30 minute contemplative documentary. Immersed in the real and sacred places of the Holy Land, the pilgrim faithful is brought tangibly nearer to the story, the landscape, and the reality of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Triduum draws Catholics and those with open hearts and minds to experience a deeper understanding of these events and places, and offers rich meditations for the pilgrimage of daily life. Now more than ever, as many of us are confined to our homes, journey along this spiritual pilgrimage and be drawn more deeply into the life and love of God.


Easter online from our parishes in the diocese 

Parishes in the Diocese of Derry will be providing live-streams of Mass and other services over the internet throughout Easter, helping those confined to home or care facilities, and those living away from home, to keep in touch with their parish and continue to be part of the local community.


Pope Francis' schedule of events for Easter 2021 

The Holy Father will celebrate the Holy Week rites at the Altar of the Cathedra, in Saint Peter's Basilica.

Sunday, 4 April 2021

Easter Sunday - Resurrection of the Lord
Holy Mass
- at 10:00
Urbi et Orbi - at 12:00
At the end of Holy Mass, the Holy Father will impart the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing.


Easter from Knock Shrine

Invitation from Knock Shrine: Join us online for our Easter ceremonies, live from Knock Shrine.

Sunday, 4 April 2021

Easter Sunday Mass 12.00 Noon & 7.30pm (with Rosary at 7.00pm)



Easter prayers and activities for children from World Missions Ireland

World Missions Ireland have prepared to use with children during Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. 

The resources are for use at home, in school (remote learning), or in the parish (online). All of the resources are in black and white for ease of printing.


Bringing Holy Week Home - Easter Sunday

This resource was created by the dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin, Clonfert and Elphin who have kindly shared them.

They include a note for each day with a Scripture focus, some things to look out for if you are joining in a live broadcast of a liturgy, a short prayer ritual for each day, as well as some 'to do' suggestions.

Live broadcasts of all Easter Liturgies will be from your parish church. The list of parishes in our diocese with live broadcasts can be viewed at here


Easter on Shalom World TV

Follow live broadcasts throughout Easter on Shalom World TV, the Catholic family entertainment channel.

Sunday, 4 April 2021 | Easter Sunday
LIVE from the Vatican:
Easter Sunday Mass
8:55AM


EWTN - From Rome to your Home

Eternal Word Television Network is a Catholic television station which broadcasts from across the world, including daily Mass.

During Holy Week you can watch all the main liturgical events from Rome with EWTN. View the broadcasting schedule for Easter at EWTN