09.12.2015
Canon Roy Byrne Appointed Rector of Monkstown
The Revd Canon Roy Byrne, Rector of Drumcondra and North Strand has been appointed rector of Monkstown, also in the Diocese of Dublin. He succeeds Canon Patrick Lawrence who retired earlier this year. Originally from Clondalkin, he was educated in St Patrick’s Cathedral Grammar School and later read Theology in Oxford. Whilst in the Church of Ireland Theological College he completed an M.Phil degree in ecumenics.
He was ordained in 1999 for the curacy of the Christ Church Cathedral Group of Parishes which included work in the cathedral itself. In 2003, he moved to the diocese of Leighlin to take up the incumbency of the Killeshin grouped parishes but returned to Dublin in 2007 becoming incumbent of Drumcondra and North Strand.
During his time in Drumcondra and North Strand the school in North Strand has grown considerably with over 100 pupils now on the roll. Drumcondra school has been totally renovated and extended and was re–dedicated by the Archbishops of Armagh and Dublin in May 2015. A particular priority for him has been to encourage the next generation of families to take an interest in the parish and this has included the introduction of monthly informal family services in North Strand and increased integration between the parish and its two schools.
He was appointed a canon of Christ Church Cathedral in 2012 and a board member in 2014. He has been involved with the cathedral’s library and archives committee with special responsibility for the cathedral’s extensive plate collection for many years and has curated a number of historical exhibitions during his time there. In his spare time Roy collects antiquarian books and antiques (which he modestly describes as his ‘junk collection’!) and has a weakness for furniture auctions.
“I will be immensely sad to take my leave of Drumcondra and North Strand where I have spent 7 ½ very happy years’ Roy noted. ‘Drumcondra and North Strand is a very happy parish with a wonderfully involved group of parishioners and friends and my ministry there, mostly spent in the great company of my colleague and good friend Canon Aisling Shine, has brought me much happiness’ he said. As I take my leave of Drumcondra and North Strand I am confident that the parish will continue to be a vibrant place where all are welcomed and feel enriched by its spiritual and social life. At the same time I am very much looking forward to meeting the people of Monkstown and working in a new environment as I embark on this new stage in my ministry.”
Dates for Roy’s final service in the parish and for his institution in Monkstown will be known after Christmas.
Photo caption: Canon Roy Byrne (Right) with Dr Kenneth Milne.