17.12.2018
Civic Carol Service at St Ann’s Draws Huge Congregation
Numerous aspects of Dublin life, from sports to politics, were represented at the annual Civic Carol Service at St Ann’s Church, Dawson Street, yesterday evening (December 16). There was a huge congregation for the service which took place in the presence of the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson and the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Nial Ring.
Readers were drawn from the city’s political life, the Gardaí, the charity sector, sporting life and the commercial sector. The service was introduced by the Vicar, Canon David Gillespie and St Ann’s Choir, under the direction of Charles Marshall, sang beautifully.
Readers included Suzanne Connolly, CEO of Barnardos Ireland; Philip Daly, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Ireland; Jamie Belton, manager of the Ivy Restaurant on Dawson Street; Minister for Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan TD; Chloe Watkins, Irish international hockey player; Garda Commissioner Drew Harris; The Revd Dr Laurence Graham, former Moderator of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Lord Mayor, Nial Ring; and Archbishop Michael Jackson.
Giving the blessing at the end of the service, the Archbishop prayed for the life of Dublin city, all who contribute to it at every level and those who are charged with making decisions for the city.