Making the announcement, Archbishop Michael Jackson said: “The Reverend Canon Garth Bunting has served the diocese in a range of positions as well as in Christ Church Cathedral.“I welcome his appointment to the Holmpatrick Group of Parishes where his experience and spirituality will contribute significantly to the life of the total parochial area and the people who live there.“I wish Garth and all the parishioners and members of the vibrant and diverse communities in that area of North County Dublin well.”

Garth has been ordained for 27 years. He has served for 10 years in Drumcondra, North Strand and St Barnabas, and prior to that in Christ Church Cathedral for seven years.

Commenting on his appointment Garth said: “It has been a privilege to serve the Parish of Drumcondra, North Strand & St Barnabas for over 10 years, and I am grateful for the many relationships formed and the opportunities we have shared in ministry together. There is much to celebrate in the life of the parish, and I will carry many happy memories with me.

“I look forward to beginning this new chapter of ministry with the people of the Holmpatrick Group. I am sure we will work well together to nurture faith, build community and share God’s love across Balbriggan, Rush, Skerries and the surrounding areas.”

Synod has drawn lay people and clergy from every parish in the dioceses together in Alexandra College in Milltown, Dublin, today. This is the first time in recent years that Synod has met on a Saturday. The day long event follows a review of Diocesan Synod which sought to improve the way it meets the needs of both the dioceses and their people.

Archbishop Jackson drew on Habakkuk 2:3 in considering the theme of ‘Diocese and Parish: A Common Church’.

“In his way of expressing a vision awaiting us and in his hope of an appointed time for us, Habakkuk pinpoints a real opportunity and a real possibility for our diocese now,” he stated. “There is always a moment for glory and there is always an opportunity to seize that very moment. Annually, through our Diocesan Synods, we have the opportunity to express and to preview a vision. While the destined hour is in the hands of God, the appointed time is ours to grasp and to enjoy in our own hands.”

The vision the dioceses need is not a product, he suggested. Rather it is a journey of belief. During the past year of prayer and consultation, he suggested that the dioceses had learnt a lot.

The prayer and consultation had taken the dioceses to the root of who we are and who we are yet to become, he said. It has also provided a focus on the future.

“The series of consultations that has taken place has already given us a perspective on ourselves that will, in the years ahead, make us more urgent in letting the vision emerge and percolate. The distinct advantage of our having done what we have done in this way is that, through the sorts of opportunities for patient and attentive listening that we were given at The Diocesan Synods 2025, along with the discussions in Rural Deaneries that have followed throughout the year, a view of the diocese will undoubtedly have started to emerge. We are eager to learn about it, about us. It is important that we all grasp and hold this view together. It has to be more than the sum of the individual voices. It needs to be: in common,” the Archbishop stated.

He continued: “From what we are already doing and from what we want to become, through common effort, it is important that we work in a structured, connected, integrated way. Yes indeed, a parish is a parish is a parish. But this never was about parishes competing with one another about anything. It was about holding in common, holding and treasuring together, what parishes are doing and how we can share, in teaching and learning, in assessing and enjoying, from and with one another in being A Common Church. At some point, all of this will yet blossom and flourish into a vision by which the diocese can be guided and to which it can refer as a self–definition, a confident expression of who we are in the spirit of Habakkuk, and about the appointed time. For my own part, I offer some brief thoughts on what is in common and what, therefore, can be shared in this journey of mission together.”

He said that the work of the Diocese of Dublin and the Diocese of Glendalough needs to focus on the features and capacities of each dioceses, and on what they had in common and could share. He added that each parish needs to work out where it stands in common with the Church of Ireland and the other members of its community. “This is hard work but essential. This is our springboard of sustainable mission,” he said.

He posed a question for consideration as part of considering the position of church buildings which might be under utilised: “How can we invite into a church space a common community life of which we are part AND retain a welcoming Christian and Anglican presence there as something that people will instantly recognize and to which they might wish to belong?”

Communities everywhere are crying out for space, he noted, and parishes are some of the few entities with space to spare. “We in the Church of Ireland and in these United Dioceses have more resources of this type than we can use for ourselves alone. As part of our prayed mission we need to think about more than getting more people like us into church as we have made church to become. As I said: The chasm of antiquity leaves everyone behind. Antiquity needs to be re–distributed, re–thought and re–imagined and shared in common in each new generation,” he said.

“If we begin by admitting that we are all in difficulty, then I suggest we can all travel somewhere new and discern this vision together without fear. The groundwork has been done. We need to sow the harvest. We need, most of all, to trust the Spirit.”

He pointed out that a common life is what connects all people in their communities. For Christians what is important is how we engage, discern, interpret and see the face of God in this common life. People may call this witness or society. “Society is about how you and your neighbour share the things that are common property and common capital for all. It is grounded in the values that we bring to them. Social cohesion is vital to society’s survival. It needs our concentration and our commitment,” he noted.

Archbishop Jackson suggested that in both prayer and mission, it is through the values we express that we influence the common good.

He said the purpose of the mission plan “is to strengthen parochial and diocesan life and in this way to enable the Church of Ireland way to be attractive and attracting of people inside our parishes who know us and have forgotten us along with people of our parishes who have no clue as to who we are as ‘those people who go to church on a Sunday’ – or why. This is our exciting present and our exciting future. If the chasm of antiquity leaves everyone behind; surely the vista of a common future can draw everyone in; and the hope of a common life can revive our common dioceses”.

Ypu can read the Archbishop’s address in full here.

Hundreds of pupils from Church of Ireland primary and junior schools in every corner of the United Dioceses filled Christ Church Cathedral for the service. The theme this year was ‘God makes all things new’ taken from the reading from Revelation 21: 1–5.

The service was led by the Revd Colin Hamilton, Curate in Holy Trinity Rathmines, in the presence of Archbishop Michael Jackson and Dean Tom O’Brien. Special guests from the world of education were in attendance at the service which is organised each year by the Diocesan Board of Education. The collection was taken up in aid of Dublin–based charity NOVAS which works with people across Ireland who are homeless, at risk of homelessness and experiencing addiction and marginalisation.

Exploring the theme that ‘God makes all things new’, Revd Colin detailed his restoration of his 1990 MX5. He told the fascinated young congregation that he bought the “pretty rough” car in February and had spent the long summer evenings replacing the old and rusting parts to make it like new. He painted a picture of “turning something which was pretty broken into something which is pretty beautiful” adding that if the children were in Rathmines in the summer they should keep an eye out for him driving around with the top down, listening to Taylor Swift with the wind in his hair.

Revd Colin said that when we look around the world today, things can seem broken. “There are some really sad situations, people who are struggling, people who are sad, people who are sick, families going through some really hard things,” he commented. “And for each one of us this morning, each of us go through some really hard days of life.”

But, he said, the theme of the service inspires and motivates him every day. “[In the reading] God speaks in a vision, like a dream, to a man called John. And he tells him that there will be a time when actually there will be no more sadness, no more brokenness, no more pain, no more fear, nothing to be scared of, nothing bad, nothing sad. And God says to John in this vision, ‘look, I make all things new’.

He continued: “How incredible is that? That God will restore everything to the way he created it, and intended it, and wants it to be. And here’s the best thing. Do you know something really exciting? God asks you to help. He asks you to play your part in making all things new, to be people who look at what is broken in the world around us to look at what’s sad, what’s not working very well, and to ask, ‘God, how can I help you? What can I do to make this situation better? How can I bring some order? How can I bring some beauty, some benefit to the broken things that I see around me?’ Each of us has a part to play,” he said.

He suggested that this could be to be loving to one another, or stepping in to help someone who is sad, or including someone who is left out. They could pick up litter from the street and care for creation. It could be creating beauty through art or music. “Making all things new, that our lives, your actions, would point to God’s big story of what he’s doing,” he said.

Mike was joined in the congregation by his fiancée Jill and his son Arlo as well as many friends. Parishioners from Tullow were joined by parishioners from Rathfarnham where Mike served his curacy. A great number of clerical colleagues were in attendance along with local public representatives including the Cathaoireleach of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Councillor Barry Saul.

With a nod to Mike’s support of Liverpool, the preacher Canon Adrienne Galligan said he would never walk alone in Tullow, spiritually or pastorally. The readings [Ezekiel 33: 1–20 and John 13: 12–20] presented two stark images of service, she said – a watchman standing tall and alert and a footwashing Saviour on his knees.

“Our scripture readings this evening give us two very stark images of Christian service. And instinctively given the context of this service of institution, we readily apply these images and tasks to Rev Mike beginning his walk with the parishioners of Tullow. As always though with scripture, there are layers of meaning to these readings which puts the focus not just on Mike but on us all as followers of Christ together. Rest assured Mike, support wise, you’ll never walk alone in Tullow Parish!” she said.

Canon Galligan told Mike that she had worked with the Tullow parochial nominators had got a sense that great companionship, support, enthusiasm for God and God’s work, awaited him. She commended Mike to his parishioners for his sense of humour and his steadfast desire to be a servant to them as they are God’s servants. She said he was a faithful – faithful to his call to ministry, to the congregation he serves, to God’s word, in his expectation of God to answer prayer.

“Similar to Ezekiel who never abandoned his charge or calling as a prophet even though his God given message for the children of Israel was not received well, in a similar vein Michael has shown a great command of his mission and calling which align with The Anglican Communion 5 Marks of Mission of telling, teaching, tending, transforming, treasuring God’s word, God’s world, God’s wounded. These are all well within Michael’s capabilities to deliver faithfully,” she said.

When the formal service concluded, secretary to the Select Vestry Jane Bowes took the helm and introduced a number of people who welcomed Mike to the parish and the area.

Saying that he was honoured and humbled to attend the service, Councillor Barry Saul acknowledged that the institution was an important occasion for the parish as they marked both a new beginning and a continuation of the long tradition of faith, service and community engagement in Tullow. Recognising that the role of Rector extends far beyond the church walls he said he was confident that Mike’s leadership would continue to build on the many connections between Tullow parish and the wider community.

Welcoming Mike on behalf of Tullow Select Vestry, Church Warden Nigel Swanwick described the parish as an open gathering spot at the heart of a vibrant community. Keen to ensure that there was no unintended divide between longstanding parishioners and visitors to the church he said the church “is a space where we can regularly celebrate something special together no matter how well we know each other”. He said the institution of a new Rector was a source for great celebration. He added: “Michael as this is your first parish as Rector I know everyone here joins me in hoping and praying that it will be a deeply rewarding journey for you filled with deep companionship and many more gatherings and celebrations”.

Welcoming Mike on behalf of nearby Cabinteely Parish, Fr Arthur O’Neill remarked on the good relations that exist between both parishes and recalled the good experiences of sharing together during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Bringing warm greetings from Rathfarnham Parish Gill Perdue said the parishioners of Tullow were fortunate that Mike was coming to the parish. “We had our turn and it was fantastic. Now it is your turn to be part of Reverend Mike’s ministry and mission. From the minute Mike set foot in Rathfarnham we enjoyed his wit, his wise words and wisdom, kindness, enthusiasm and above all his honest and direct and sincere preaching,” she commented.

The final words of the evening went to the Revd Mike Buchanan who said it was “an honour to stand before you as the new Rector of Tullow Parish Church”. He continued: “I’d like to thank the Archbishop and the Diocesan Board of Nomination, in particular the Parochial Nominators for your trust and confidence in me. It’s a privilege to serve God and to serve this vibrant parish, and particularly to remain within these United Dioceses where I spent my youth and indeed the majority of my service in blue,” the former Garda Sergeant commented.

He thanked the Archbishop for his support and Canon Adrienne for her training and encouragement in her sermon. He commended all who had prepared for the service of institution and all who had supported the parish during the vacancy, particularly the Rural Dean, the Revd Ruth Elmes, and the parish’s lay ministry team of Alan Rhodes and Mandy Swanwick.

Rector the Revd Rob Clements, Curate the Revd Caroline Brennan and Parish Reader Carol Barry were joined by Archbishop Michael Jackson who preached during the service.

The roof was well and truly raised with contributions from the Junior Choir and the Parish Choir, who sang an anthem each, and the Worship Band. This is the first time all three have appeared at the one service. Organist Kevin O’Sullivan accompanied the hymns and choirs.

During the service the Archbishop dedicated a number of practical and beautiful developments at the church. He asked God’s blessing on the work and the generosity which made the work possible. These included new electrical works, improvements to the church’s heating system, the redecoration of the church and the installation of a new screen.

New lights have been funded in memory of John Richardson and his family who have worshipped in the church throughout its 200 year old history. The final item dedicated was a beautiful new stained glass window depicting St Brigid, designed and built by the studio of Evan Connon.

Celebrating the history of the parish in the context of giving thanks for the generosity of the harvest, Archbishop Jackson said that the witness of the parish was bound together in the three virtues of which we hear in 1 Corinthians 13: faith, hope and love.

He said the parish has faith in the inheritance of tradition and in what is passed on and developed from generation to generation. It has hope in the present for the future. “Kilternan has established itself as a parish where abundant life and development come together; where creativity and imagination meet a willingness on the part of parishioners to go on a Godly adventure,” he observed.

Kilternan has love – in parish and community. “Kilternan shows this in a wide range of ways. The first is The Gathering Grounds where the passer–by feels welcome and where the stranger becomes a friend; where the parishioner is in a position to host and to share with old and new users of The Gathering Grounds stories and experiences, wisdom and opportunities,” the Archbishop said.

He continued: “The second is that Kilternan is able to offer to those who are new to this part of County Dublin a vibrant ecumenical life along with a delightful church building, recently refurbished and with a stunning new window depicting St Brigid. Once set among the fields, the parish is now set in the heart of a rapidly expanding residential area and with the opportunity to share Jesus Christ with those who want to be part of a worshipping community whether in a contemporary or in an inherited idiom – because both are part of our Church of Ireland tradition. There is much harvest for thanksgiving here too.”

Representatives of the judiciary, departments of state, diplomats, lawyers, An Garda Siochana, the Defence Forces and the Prison Service gathered in the Parish Church of the Law Courts for the annual service over which Archbishop Michael Jackson presided.

Clergy who took part in the service included the Vicar, Archdeacon David Pierpoint, the Deans of Christ Church and St Patrick’s cathedrals, the Very Revd Tom O’Brien and the Very Revd William Morton, Prison Service Chaplain the Revd Alan Rufli and the King’s Hospital Chaplain Canon Peter Campion along with Diocesan Reader Beatrice Somers.

As is tradition, the choir of the King’s Hospital School, under the direction of Ciaran Kelly, sang at the service, providing the uplifting introit and the anthem, despite their fellow schoolmates having a day off. The parish organist Dr Ronan Conroy accompanied the hymns.

Introducing the service, the Vicar Archdeacon David Pierpoint prayed for all who uphold the law of the land; for all who enter the courts that they may see justice being done; and for wisdom for those who care for the downcast in society. He also prayed that those present be beacons of truth and hope and for the safety of all who keep the peace at home and overseas.

In the context of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the address was given by Rory Montgomery. He was Permanent Representative (Ambassador) of Ireland to the European union from 2009 to 2013 and also Ambassador of Ireland to France (2013–2014) and Second Secretary General at the Department of the Taoiseach (2014–2016) and Foreign Affairs and Trade (2016–2019).

Mr Montgomery looked at the growth and development of the European Union and examined whether the Judeo–Christian and Graeco–Roman influence on the foundation of the EEC continued to be reflected in its morals and values today.

“The acid test, however, must be whether in its actions Europe acts, however imperfectly, in accordance with its values. I will look briefly at five issues.  They demonstrate, I think, that the Union is still guided by its values and seeks to act in accordance with them. But defining what this should mean in practice, and manoeuvring through political, diplomatic and financial challenges, is really difficult and often falls well short of the ideal,” he said.

The areas he explored included an example where broad consensus can be blocked by a small minority; where values underpin an agreed objective but there are differences on how to achieve that objective (for example development aid); where values can conflict with hostile public opinion (for example migration); where values can be pitted against necessity (for example the EU originated as a peace project but is now developing its capacity to defend itself); and finally he asked what if there is a strong feeling that the Union is not upholding its values at a crucial time (for example in relation to Israel and Palestine).

Mr Montgomery concluded: “Remaining rooted in and guided by values and principles is  enormously demanding. Political, diplomatic,  economic, strategic and social considerations all bear heavily on governments and legislators. Inevitably this can lead to actions which depart from eloquently–expressed values. But it is always necessary to balance the real and the ideal, interests and principles. Indeed different values can need to be weighed against one another. But the answer is surely not to give up and say that our values are worthless and empty formulae which have no practical meaning. I believe that European leaders, parliamentarians, churches, lawyers, civil servants and the public as a whole are deeply attached to them: the challenge is to navigate by these stars while buffeted by the waves and winds.”

You can read Rory Montgomery’s address here.

The Harvest Celebration of Faith, Flowers and Community was opened on Friday evening (October 2) by Miriam O’Callaghan. It closed on Sunday evening with a celebratory service of Choral Evensong at which the preacher was the Revd Patrick Irwin, the great, great, great grandson of the first Rector of the parish, Henry Irwin. Monsignor Ciarán O’Carroll of Milltown, Donnybrook and Booterstown Parishes was in attendance at the service which was led by the Rector, Canon Sonia Gyles.

The festival not only celebrated 200 years of faith and worship in Sandford but the vibrant life of the parish today which is sustained and enriched by daily acts of service, kindness and shared commitment.

The parish also highlighted its connection with the wider community and colourful creations from neighbouring parishes, schools, charities, community organisations and local businesses featured among the displays.  

The beautiful, creative and at times humorous displays included the Sandford 200 Tree which offers a special record of what Sandford Parish means to many within the community. Visitors were invited to take a blank leaf and write their own reflection to add to the tree.

There was a steady flow of visitors to the festival throughout the weekend with the Rector, Canon Sonia Gyles, reflecting that they had enjoyed a wonderful weekend of colour and community, connection and friendship. She thanked all who made the festival possible.  

In his sermon the Revd Patrick Irwin brought the congregation through a brief history of the Harvest Festival in Christian times. He added: “As we give thanks to God for the harvest and for 200 years of faithful witness to the Gospel here in this church we are surrounded by a wonderful array of beautiful flowers.

“The flowers are beautiful in their own right but also in what they represent – the faith of individuals and groups and our community who, in their different ways are giving thanks to God. We are celebrating the 200th anniversary of this church but we are not, to retain the floral image, resting on our laurels. We are striving forward into the future, trusting in the God who is with us and accompanies us on our voyage through life.”

Archbishop Michael Jackson, as Chair of the Church of Ireland Board of Education (RI) commented:

“The grant increases announced in today’s budget will ease pressure on schools and families in coping with the day–to–day costs in schools, and will be a great encouragement to Boards, principals, teachers, SNAs, parents and pupils alike. I greatly welcome this timely provision in today’s budget and wish to express our thanks to the Government and the Minister for Education and Youth, Ms Hildegarde Naughton, TD, for recognising the increased financial need in schools.”

The Secretary of the Board, Dr Ken Fennelly, commented:

“The Church of Ireland Board of Education (RI) joined with a range of other education stakeholders in raising this issue in advance of the Budget and we are both relieved and glad that Government has heard the financial concerns which we articulated on behalf of schools over the last number of weeks. We are in daily contact with School Boards and principals so we know how rising costs are affecting school finances. We greatly welcome this €68 increase in primary level capitation and €40 for free scheme post primary schools.  We hope that these financial increases, and last years too, signal a recognition of the necessity to make the tackling of education costs a priority in budget considerations into the future.”