Broadcaster Charlie Bird has described Irish missionaries as “incredible, remarkable people” and said that Irish people would be as “proud” of them as he is if they had the opportunity to meet them. To view the video click here

Speaking at the launch of a DVD that he filmed in the Philippines and South Korea featuring missionaries and their work, Mr Bird said it was “an amazing experience and I met so many remarkable missionaries doing incredible work”. He first witnessed the work of Irish missionaries first hand when he was sent to the Philippines over 30 years ago to cover the trial of the Negros Nine, when Irish Columban Fr Niall O Neill was amongst a group falsely accused of murder.

The DVD was made for World Missions Ireland and will be shown in parishes across the country on Mission Sunday on October 18. The eight-minute film features among others Sr Evelyn Flanaganworking on a project with the Sea Gypsies and Sr Shay Cullen working with street children in the Philippines, and Fr Pat Cunningham protesting against the building of a military naval base in South Korea.

World Missions Ireland is the official mission outreach of the Catholic Church in Ireland.For more information see www.wmi.ie