A "MINI-OXEGEN without the booze but with all the fun" is how Catholics are describing a national summer youth retreat taking place this weekend.Busloads of young people from Belfast, Derry, Letterkenny, Westport, Killarney, Cork, Waterford and Dublin have been arriving in Co Offaly over the past two days for the spiritual festival.
The youths are switching off their mobile phones and renewing their interest in their faith.
The Irish branch of the international youth group, Youth 2000, is organising the four-day event in Clonmacnoise, which is expected to attract up to 600 Catholics over the weekend.
The young people are taking part in workshops, a concert, talks and prayer.
Irene Cullinane (21) from Clonakilty, Co Cork said she decided to go along to the event after a neighbour told her it was an "amazing experience".
"I've always had an interest in my faith and I'd been going to prayer groups since third year but it's difficult when you go to college, it tends to lapse," she added.
Irene said the retreat has given her an opportunity to make new friends and practise her faith. "We're comparing this to Oxegen -- we have the marquees and tents -- there's no alcohol, no drugs but we've got music and it's still good fun."
Louise Cronin (20) from Ovens, Co Cork said the retreat gave her a chance "to get away, pray and to meet other Catholics".
"I think it's just a great chance to develop your faith and to advance in it, if you do nothing with it, it just dies away.
"It's a great break and you can turn off your mobile phone and be on your own for a while," she added.
The youths attend Mass every day and can also go to confession. There is Christian rock music and a chance to discuss topics of interest at workshops.
"We talk about different topics, today it was about how you can get more out of Mass and how to understand it better," said Louise.
Munster regional leader with Youth 2000, Eamon Roche said music was an important part of the festival weekend. He added that Clonmacnoise was an appropriate venue because of its affiliation with the late Pope John Paul II.
"It's our first time to do a retreat in Clonmacnoise and it was Pope John Paul who said 'these ruins are still charged with a great mission' during his visit here.
"He was really touched by the significance of Clonmacnoise as one of the earliest centres of Christian learning," he added.
"We have a great mix of people here. People from good Catholic families keeping up the tradition and also people who maybe got lost in life a little bit and want to find something to give them strength. We also have people who are curious and want to explore their faith," Eamon added.
Youth 2000 is an international movement of young Catholics which was set up after World Youth Day in Santiago de Compostela in 1989.
There are more than 20 weekly prayer groups established throughout the country, with up to 20 weekend retreats every year.
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