09.01.2026
Canon Roy Byrne to Take up Full Time Role in Christ Church Cathedral
Canon Roy Byrne is to take up a new full time role in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. At the request of the Dean, the Very Revd Dermot Dunne, the board of the cathedral has agreed to make the position of Precentor a full time and residentiary position.
Canon Byrne is the current holder of the position of Precentor and he will leave his parish ministry as Rector of Monkstown to take up the full time position in the cathedral at the end of February.
Commenting on the appointment, Dean Dunne congratulated Roy and looked forward to welcoming him to this new position.
“Canon Byrne has long associations with the cathedral having served his title as curate in the Christ Church Cathedral Group of parishes from 1999 to 2021. Since then, Roy has been unstinting in his support of the cathedral and has served on the board for many terms. I hold Roy in great esteem as an honest, prayerful and hard working priest who will serve the cathedral well throughout his tenure. I look forward to working with Roy and sharing the many responsibilities we have in the day to day life of the cathedral,” he said.
Canon Byrne said he was looking forward to the new challenge but added that it was very difficult to leave Monkstown.
“I am delighted and honoured to have been asked to undertake my cathedral roles of precentor and deputy dean on a full time basis and am looking forward immensely to working more closely with my cathedral colleagues and the Dean. Leaving my position as Rector of Monkstown will be extremely difficult as I have enjoyed so much my ministry there. Monkstown is a parish of creativity, open hearted generosity with enormously supportive parishioners and friends,” he stated.
Canon Byrne has been Rector of Monkstown since 2016. Prior to that he was Rector of Drumcondra and North Strand from 2008 to 2016 and Rector of Killeshin in the Diocese of Leighlin from 2003 to 2008. He was Curate of the Christ Church Cathedral Group of Parishes from 1999 to 2003. He is a Canon and Precentor of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin and had been deputy or sub Dean since last year.