Losing Our Religion: Is Ireland Better Off Without Faith?

As Ireland rapidly modernizes, one profound question keeps resurfacing: is religion still necessary in a country where churches are emptying and traditional values are fading? Once a place where the Catholic Church shaped nearly every aspect of life, Ireland today is more liberal, secular, and diverse than ever before. But alongside this progress, concerns are growing about rising crime, drug use, family breakdown, and a loss of respect for authority. Is this just coincidence—or are we witnessing the cost of spiritual decline?

The Retreat of Religion

Religious practice in Ireland has dropped dramatically in just a few decades. In 1991, over 91% of people identified as Catholic. By 2022, that had fallen to 69%, and in urban areas like Dublin, Mass attendance is often below 15%. Nationwide, only 30% of Catholics now attend weekly Mass—down from over 80% in the 1970s.

Meanwhile, those marking “No Religion” on the census surged from 3.7% in 1991 to 14% in 2022, reflecting nearly three-quarters of a million people. The number of priests is shrinking too, with many parishes unable to fill pulpits.

Ireland is clearly moving away from institutional faith—but what is rising to take its place?

A Fraying Moral Fabric?

Some argue that Ireland’s moral compass is now adrift. They point to correlations between religious decline and the rise of social problems once rare in Irish life:

• Unmarried motherhood has jumped from 5% of births in 1980 to 43% in 2022.

• Marriage breakdown is increasing, with over 100,000 people divorced in 2022, and fewer marriages lasting more than 20 years.

• Drug-related deaths are among the highest in Europe—409 in 2020, according to the Health Research Board.

• Violent assaults and knife crime are on the rise, especially in cities.

• Disrespect for authority is frequently reported by schools, Gardaí, and even healthcare workers.

Are these developments purely economic and cultural—or does the loss of a shared belief system play a role?

Archbishop Eamon Martin remarked, “We are witnessing a society that is spiritually adrift, where individualism is prized above responsibility and commitment.”

Some suggest that as church influence faded, nothing equally strong rose to replace it—no new moral structure, no unifying philosophy, no ritual or code of conduct. For many, it has left a vacuum.

Not Everyone Agrees

However, many believe that Ireland’s rejection of church control has been long overdue—and ultimately liberating.

Atheist biologist Richard Dawkins argues, “You don’t need religion to have morals. If you can’t determine right from wrong, then you lack empathy, not religion.”
Christopher Hitchens, a fierce critic of religion, once said, “Religion is man-made. Even the men who made it cannot agree on what their prophets or redeemers or gurus actually said or did.”

For secular thinkers, the problems facing modern Ireland are rooted in economic inequality, mental health struggles, and the rapid pace of social change—not the absence of religion.

They also point to the role the Church played in Ireland’s darkest chapters—from clerical abuse scandals to the cruel Magdalene Laundries. For many, turning away from religion wasn’t about apathy—it was about healing.

So, What Do We Really Need?

If not religion, what then? Many still long for meaning, community, and moral guidance—but now seek it outside of faith. Spirituality, humanism, therapy, philosophy, and volunteerism have all risen in popularity.

Still, for others, religion continues to offer comfort, clarity, and hope. Pope Francis said, “To change the world, we must be good to those who cannot repay us,” reminding us that at its best, religion promotes compassion and selflessness.

G.K. Chesterton once warned, “When men stop believing in God, they don’t believe in nothing; they believe in anything.” Perhaps that’s the real risk—that without a shared belief in something greater, society becomes fragmented and rudderless.

Conclusion: A Nation in Search of Meaning

Is the decline of religion responsible for Ireland’s rising social problems? The data suggest a correlation, but causation is harder to prove. What’s clear is that religion once provided structure, belonging, and values—and its absence is being felt.

Whether Ireland should return to the pews is debatable. But the need for connection, responsibility, and shared values is undeniable.

As the Dalai Lama wisely said, “Whether you are a Christian, Muslim, or atheist, what matters most is how you treat others.” In the end, the soul of a nation may depend less on who we worship—and more on how we live.

Written by Old Mate