Around 5,000 Jehovah's Witnesses gathered in Dublin for their annual district convention which began in the Simmonscourt Pavilion of the RDS yesterday.
The theme of the three-day convention is "God's Prophetic Word", a reference to prophecies contained in the Bible. Similar Jehovah's Witnesses' conventions on this theme are currently being held around the world.
Mr Bill Gaughan from Limerick, an elder, said the purpose of the convention was to promote Bible education. "The conference contains a series of Bible-based talks to encourage further study and these talks can be shared by everyone coming together at this event," he said.
Being a Jehovah's Witness was "a way of life rather than a religion," he said. "We have our own set of beliefs based on the Bible." Much of this way of life involved "pioneering", the word given to the traditional Jehovah's Witnesses' practice of visiting houses to spread their theology. "Generally, people in Ireland are extremely friendly and tolerant," said Mr Gaughan, who added that he spends much of his time knocking on doors.
Ms Kathy Murphy, from Waterford, was attending the conference with her two daughters. She had been coming for the past 20 years and said they had helped her put her knowledge of the Bible into practice in her everyday life.
Like most of the male delegates, Mr Cillian Darlington (19) was dressed in a smart suit. "I love being here. I love the atmosphere and being together with people who love God as much as I do," he said.
Pioneering was his main priority, but to make money he had jobs as a window-cleaner and in a clothes store. Many of his Jehovah's Witnesses friends feel they benefit from the high moral standards expected from young members of the organisation. Sex before marriage is frowned upon, as are smoking, drugs and drinking to excess.
Another young Jehovah's Witness said the conventions were a natural place for romances to blossom.
Outside the hall three teenage boys from Northern Ireland were taking a break from proceedings. They were enjoying the conference but said that information on whether this was a good place to meet girls was "classified".
The three-day convention is held in the State every year, but it is 15 years since it last took place in the capital. There were 2,500 in attendance then. The convention is open to the public and continues today and tomorrow.