01.09.2026
Powerscourt Parishioners Turn Sod on New Project
Parishioners of St Patrick’s Church, Powerscourt, embarked on an exciting journey on Sunday (August 30) when the sod was turned on ‘The Nest’.
The Nest will provide a vibrant new space for worship, community and connection in Enniskerry. It will be located, nestled amongst the pines, next to the church.
Construction on the new hall starts this week and on Sunday amid a joyful parish celebration, the steering group of Chris Chambers, Ric Pasquali and Robert Neill turned the first sod.
They were assisted by the Rector, the Revd Cathy Hallissey, with the magnificent silver trowel which was used in the laying of the foundation stone for St Patrick’s Church in October 1857. Historian Judy Cameron said the trowel had not been used since the foundation stone was laid by Lord Powerscourt, Mervyn Wingfield, during his 21st birthday celebrations.
During the service of celebration, which included a celebration of baptism, the Rector explained that the hall will serve the broader community of Enniskerry. “This is going to bring our wider community and our church together,” she said.
The vision for The Nest was made possible by the courage and faithfulness of the Select Vestry and the energy and commitment of the Project Miracle Team, she said. She added that the project was able to proceed thanks to the donation of €1,000,000 by a benefactor.
The Nest was designed by architect Peter Carroll who, when he visited the site in the summer of 2023 was struck by the swallows’ nest in the porch of the church. It inspired him to think of nurturing, protection and new life which resulted in the design of the new hall. The builder will be Dunwoody & Dobson and the project manager will be Niall Meagher.
“We’ve waited three years but now we have people who held fast to a belief to bring about a miracle,” Rev Cathy said. “There will be unity and that unity has already begun.”
Adding to the morning’s excitement, the large crowd also welcomed home local farmer Michael Keegan who had just completed his epic journey from Mizen Head to Malin Head raising awareness and funds for two suicide charities, 3TS and Pieta House.
Michael undertook the 690km ‘Miles of Hope’ journey on his grandfather’s historic Deutz D40L tractor. Charlie Keegan won the world ploughing championships with the tractor in 1964 bringing home the first ever world ploughing title to Ireland. So far his tractor run has raised over €75,000 on idonate.
