A 98-year-old woman, who devoted over 60 years of her life to the Catholic Church, has been acknowledged by Pope Francis.
Norah Breslin was presented with the Benemerenti Medal at a ceremony in her local church in the parish of Kilcullen, Co Kildare.
The Benemerenti Medal is awarded by Pope Francis to members of the clergy and laity for "long and exceptional service" to the Catholic Church.
Ms Breslin was born and raised in Yorkshire in the UK.
She later moved to Ireland when she was in her twenties with her husband, who was born in Co Donegal.
Ms Breslin, who is highly musical, settled with her husband in Co Kildare and had 11 children.
As a young mother she found an outlet in local parish choirs.
When the choir mistress of the Kilcullen parish retired in the 1960s, Ms Breslin was asked to take on the role of organist and conductor.
She played and taught Latin masses and the Gregorian chant while also keeping up to date with the contemporary composers.
She dedicated her life to the choir.
Ms Breslin also founded a local branch of the Macra na Tuaithe, which later became known as Foróige, in the 1970s.
This was at a time of significant social change in the country.
When the former parish priest made the application to the Vatican for the Benemerenti Medal, Ms Breslin’s generous, selfless contribution and commitment to the church, the organ, the parish choir and the community was noted.
