29.09.2025
Irishtown Parishioners Celebrate Refurbished Organ and New Side Chapel
The people of Irishtown and Donnybrook celebrated two parish milestones during their Harvest Thanksgiving service yesterday (Sunday September 29). St Matthew’s newly restored church organ was rededicated by Archbishop Michael Jackson who also dedicated the St Mary’s, Donnybrook Side Chapel in the church.
St Matthew’s organ sounded fantastic following the restoration work carried out by Derek Verso of the Fine Tuning Company. The restoration, which is part of the extensive refurbishment of the church building, involved a comprehensive tonal revision that included the addition of 284 new pipes. It now has a total of 22 speaking stops, seven couplers and 1,046 pipes.
Following its rededication, which included a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of music and hope that it would lead parishioners in songs of praise through every season of the Church’s life, organist John Shera played a short piece to mark the occasion.
The St Mary’s, Donnybrook Side Chapel ensures that the presence of St Mary’s Church in Donnybrook, which closed in July 2020, lives on in its sister church. In dedicating it, Archbishop Jackson said a prayer of thanksgiving for St Mary’s expressing gratitude for the faith that was nurtured, friendships formed and blessings shared in the church. The side chapel features a stunning painting of St Mary’s by parishioner and artist Marie Stamp.
The service was attended by local Councillor David Coffey, representing the Lord Mayor of Dublin. St Matthew’s has had a special chair reserved for the Lord Mayor of Dublin dating back to 1712. The church was built in 1704 when it was at the water’s edge. In 1712 Dublin Corporation approached the parish requesting that the church tower be raised to 80 feet to act as a navigation aid for ships. The corporation paid for it, a total of 286 pounds, 175 shillings and four pence, on condition that a seat be kept in the church for the Lord Mayor. The tradition continues today, parishioner Trevor James explained, and Councillor Coffey occupied the chair.
The Archbishop began his sermon by commending the Rector, Canon Leonard Ruddock, for his service and noting the silver jubilee of his ordination which was celebrated in the summer. He described Leonard as meticulous, imaginative and faithful and observed the work he had carried out in the parish which had come to fruition.
He said the service of Harvest Thanksgiving was an opportunity to give thanks to God and to show our reliance on God in every aspect of life. He added that the harvest of hopefulness was also a harvest of confidence and community.
Archbishop Jackson said that the parish was a civil community and at its heart was the care of all its people. “The parish is a living, local expression of what we want society to be. It is a place where we hear the voices of others as much as we express our own voices,” he said adding that the newly rededicated organ and the dedicated side chapel are there for all to enjoy and to welcome the whole community.
