Today marks a unique moment in the Christan and Islam calendars, with the beginning of Lent and Ramadan.
The two seasons of prayer and fasting for both Christian and Muslims rarely coincide.
As they begin the holy period, leaders of both faiths in Ireland have highlighted common themes between both religions including prayer, fasting and acts of goodness.
Although Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of obligation, it usually draws larger congregations.
It has always been the case, according to the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell.
"I can remember back to the years when I was ordained, there were packed churches on Ash Wednesday, and it's still the case that many, many people come to get the ashes."
The mark of the cross is a physical sign of the Catholic faith and the archbishop views as interesting that in the world today, so many people get ashes.
"It's often said that religion is in decline, and faith is in decline, and yet, you see here in UCD today, this church is fairly full...there was far more I suspect here today than there was at Mass last Sunday," he says.
Outside we met some of the students who made the effort to attend mass and receive ashes despite the dismal weather.
For many of them it's tradition, and a mass that they would have attended growing up.
As to how long the ashes would last they were less certain.
One was heading to the gym so he figured it the sweat would likely win out and the women were heading out for the night later.
When it came to Lent, most of them said they would give up sweets, chocolate, takeaways and one was planning a health kick.
The mass at University College Dublin was one of a number presided over by Archbishop Farrell today.
He noted in his homily that Ramadan and Lent had begun on the same day and the intentions of both holy seasons were the same - prayer, fasting, giving and forgiving.
Ramadan works on a lunar cycle, therefore, it occurs earlier each year, resulting in Lent and Ramadan beginning on the same day every 33 or 34 years.
It is often a moment to reflect on the similarities and commonalities of the two faiths.
Along with Judaism; Islam and Christianity are among the monotheistic religions - believing in one God.
Abraham serves as the connection to all three.
For Muslims worldwide Ramadan is under way.
We arrived at the Islamic Centre of Ireland in Blanchardstown, as the fourth prayer of the day began.
Two more would follow later in the evening when at least 300 were expected after school and work. Over 200 people will be fed the Iftar meal each night, after sunset when fasting ends.
One 14-year-old who was at the mosque with his father had just finished his Junior Cert mocks. He will now study for his exams while fasting from sunrise to sunset just like his fellow Muslims.
It's not difficult he said. The sense of community that Ramadan brings - everyone praying together - is worth it.
Another man attending prayers said it was something that Muslims looked forward to every year.
"From four-years old to 55 years old to 99 years old, they look forward to it. We feel very blessed to have another year (in life) for Ramadan."
Leading the prayers, Sheikh Dr Umar Al Qadri has been vocal for some time about integration and cooperation among communities in Ireland.
He described the beginning of Lent and Ramadan on the same day as "a very beautiful coincidence".
"Our Christian brothers and sisters have the season of fasting, prayer, reflection, and so do we as Muslims have it."
Noting that both faiths are Abrahamic faiths, he pointed to similarities between the two religions, despite different traditions.
"We must emphasise more the commonalities between these different faith traditions, between our communities, and that will help to combat, for example, division, combat bigotry, hate that we find sometimes."
Islamophobia has led the global Catholic Church to express solidarity with Muslims.
Here in Ireland, the Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy condemned the recent attack on a mosque in Limerick, as well as attacks on the Islamic Centre in Belfast, and a mosque in Portlaoise last year.
In a statement issued today, he called on Catholics to make a special effort to express spiritual closeness to Muslims.
Dublin's Archbishop Dermot Farrell said there was no place for Islamophobia in Ireland.
"You know, the Muslims come here to practice their faith. They have their mosques. They're very dedicated to their prayer times and very committed," he said.
He added that it was "completely wrong and contrary to any church teaching" that any other religion be attacked for being a different faith or an Islamic faith.
"That is very clear since the Second Vatican Council, Nostra aetate made it very clear that we have to respect all religions as their path to God."
