Diocesan MU Chaplain the Revd Colin McConaghie started the party with a short service which was followed by a few welcoming words from Diocesan President, Ada Lawson, along with Kay Clarke, All Ireland president, and Archbishop Michael Jackson.

The tea and coffee (all served in fine china cups) and delicious sandwiches and traybakes were prepared and served up by Diocesan trustees and some members from Castleknock branch.

It was a very enjoyable afternoon, with donations going to AFIA (Away From It All). This is a Mothers’ Union holiday initiative that provides short breaks and days out for families experiencing stress or financial hardship. It is one of many projects that Mothers Union has implemented over the last 150 years in their mission of nurturing, supporting and promoting family life. 

The parish has had a partnership with Habitat for Humanity Ireland for some time and two years ago helped build another house in Cambodia.

Fourteen  parishioners, including their Rector, the Revd Colin McConaghie, travelled to Cambodia at the beginning of July. Working alongside skilled builders, the team set out to construct a home for Ms Salat, a 63 year old widow, who has been living in a tin shack with eight other family members.

The family greeted the team from Dublin warmly on their arrival. Ms Salat’s daughter Trey was filled with emotion as she spoke of how they thought their mother would never get the opportunity to have a safe home to live in and explained that the team’s efforts had given them great hope for the future.

The team’s mission was to complete a wooden house which is placed on stilts to provide both indoor shelter and outdoor space. Learning new skills of woodwork, stair making and floor laying they quickly saw the house take shape. Rev Colin explained: “We are so privileged to be in this beautiful country having the opportunity to help a family to be able to live in a safe home. At the very heart of Habitat for Humanity is the idea that all of us can build hope by giving a little bit of ourselves to understand the need for safe homes.”

Throughout the week the team learned about Cambodian culture, forged new friendships and developed their skills. They dealt with high temperatures on site, into the high 30’s, broke down the language barrier and took on tasks alien to most of them. As the camaraderie grew, the misunderstandings turned to laughter and fun.

During the week the team made an emotional visit to the house that a number of them had helped to build in 2024. They were warmly welcomed back by the family. They were saddened to learn that the father, Kosal, had died last year but were so heartened that his desire for his family to have a safe place to call home had come true.

The team also got the opportunity to visit the new Habitat Cambodia office where they were welcomed by the National Director Phal Vandy and the entire staff team who give their visitors from Dublin a great insight into the amazing work of Habitat in Cambodia wishing them God’s blessing for their travels and thanks sharing their vision that everyone deserves a safe place to call home.

The final afternoon was filled with both tears and laughter as the team and the family shared their experience of the past week. Ms Salat’s daughter Sarath was moved to tears as she thanked the team for giving her family a new home. “Thank you to all of you for coming from your country to build our new home. This means so much to my mother and we wish you happiness and safe travel home,” she said.

Following the ceremony of the lotus flower and cutting of the ribbon, the team presented gifts from Ireland for the family’s new home including a St Brigid’s cross, offering God’s blessing and safety for their house. The team thanked the skilled builders and Habitat volunteer staff for their patience in teaching them and the laughter they shared.

Summing up the mission trip Rev Colin said: “Each one of us feels so blessed to have played a part in helping Ms Salat and her family to have a safe new home where they no longer live in fear of wind and rain. We thank God for the mission of Habitat for Humanity globally and would encourage anyone who is interested to get involved locally in Ireland or internationally. To be able to give a little of ourselves to serve others is truly at the heart of the Gospel.”

The Revd Niall Stratford has been appointed Rural Dean of West Glendalough Rural Deanery. The Revd Kevin Conroy has been appointed as Rural Dean of Monkstown North Rural Deanery.

Announcing the appointments Archbishop Michael Jackson commended both men and wished them both well in their new roles.

He said: “The Revd Niall Stratford exercised many roles in the church before taking responsibility for Blessington Union of Parishes. He will combine his acumen of a lifetime in the world of insurance with his faithfulness to God in the execution of his duties as Rural Dean.

“The Revd Kevin Conroy has had widespread experience in the world at large and in the church. He is amply qualified and ably suited to be Rural Dean. He will also bring to this role a caring disposition and a prayerful perspective”.

Niall has been Rector of the Blessington Union of Parishes since 2024. Prior to becoming incumbent of this Union, he served in a number of parishes throughout the United Dioceses, in his then capacity as a Non–Stipendiary Minister. He has throughout his life always had a deep sense of relationship with, and connection to, rural ministry. This likely developed from his upbringing in a rural parish in the then Dioceses of Killala and Achonry where his late father was Archdeacon.

Speaking about his appointment, Niall stated: “It is a great privilege to be invited to take on this role. For many years, I have been an advocate of ‘Collaboration’. Accordingly, I hope and pray that I may be able, even in some little sense, to advance this process for the benefit of all in the West Glendalough Rural Deanery”. He looks forward to collaborating with fellow colleagues and parishioners alike, in the parishes within this Rural Deanery, “to advance our calling as followers of Christ”.

Kevin has been Rector of Stillorgan & Blackrock since 2023. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2016 and subsequently served as a Self–Supporting Minister in Dalkey Parish and the Arklow Group of Parishes (Arklow, Inch and Kilbride). Before his institution as Rector of Stillorgan & Blackrock, he also served during vacancies in Whitechurch parish and the parishes in which he would be instituted as rector. In addition to his parish ministry, Kevin serves on the diocesan Ecumenical Bible Week Committee and assists with hospital chaplaincy.

Commenting on his appointment, Kevin said: “It is a privilege to accept this appointment, and I look forward to supporting clergy and parishioners across the Monkstown North Rural Deanery. I also wish the outgoing rural dean, the Revd Gary Dowd, every blessing and much happiness in his retirement, with grateful thanks for his faithful service.”

The delegation was led by H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata, Bishop of Latina, President of COMECE, and H.E. Most Rev. Dr Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin, representing CEC. The delegation also included leaders of local Churches.

During the meeting, the ecumenical delegation presented its key concerns and recommendations regarding the priorities and programme of the Irish EU Presidency under its “Strength with Unity” agenda.

Topics discussed included social cohesion, shared European values, peacebuilding, competitiveness and sustainability, migration and asylum policies, the Multiannual Financial Framework, humanitarian and development cooperation and a credible, citizen–centred EU enlargement process.

Christian leaders encouraged the Irish EU Presidency to strengthen the European Union’s capacity for consensus–building by fostering social cohesion and unity, renewing the commitment to the EU’s founding vision.

The ecumenical delegation also emphasised the need to address poverty, as well as to nurture civic space by countering exclusion and growing polarisation within European societies.

Significant attention was devoted to the promotion of a just and lasting peace in the EU’s neighbourhood and beyond. Recognising the importance of strengthening European defence in the context of growing international turmoil and the erosion of multilateralism, the delegation of European Churches encouraged the EU Presidency to support the development of a European peace strategy, providing a deeper and broader framework focused on peacebuilding, conflict prevention and reconciliation.

The ecumenical delegation acknowledged the efforts of the Irish EU Presidency to promote prosperity and competitiveness, underlining that economic growth must always serve people, respect creation and pursue the common good. COMECE and CEC stressed that these principles should also apply to technological innovation, including Artificial Intelligence.

In view of the negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework, the next long–term EU budget, Churches encouraged the EU Presidency to preserve strong support for social cohesion, humanitarian action and development cooperation.

Addressing the future of the European integration project, the COMECE–CEC delegation called for further advancing the EU enlargement process, not only as a geopolitical necessity but also as a source of hope for citizens across Europe.

Participants expressed hope to continue engaging in constructive dialogue with the Irish government on issues of shared concern during the six–month mandate of the EU Presidency and beyond.

The meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin formed part of the long–standing dialogue under Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which provides for an open, transparent and regular dialogue between the European Union and Churches and religious communities.

The visit to Dublin also offered an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between COMECE, CEC and their Irish member Churches, whose support and contributiuon were indispensable in preparing and successfully organising the meeting with the Taoiseach.

During the visit, the COMECE–CEC delegation participated in an ecumenical prayer service at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.

The ecumenical delegation consisted of:

COMECE

• H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata, President COMECE
• Mr Marek Mišák, Secretary of the COMECE Commission on EU External Relations
• Mr Alessandro Di Maio, Press Office Manager COMECE

CEC

• H.E. Most Rev. Dr Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin
• Rev. Frank–Dieter Fischbach, General Secretary CEC
• Rev. Dr Peter Pavlovič, Study Secretary CEC

Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference

• H.E. Mgr. Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and President of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference
• H.E. Mgr. Dermot Farrell, Archbishop of Dublin and Vice–President of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference
• H.E. Mgr. Kieran O’Reilly, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, and Delegate to COMECE
• Rev. Dr Gary Carville, Coordinator, Council for Migrants, Refugees and Justice & Peace and the Council for Ecumenism

Irish Council of Churches

• Very Rev. Dr Charles McMullen, President of the Irish Council of Churches
• Rev. Dr Karen Campbell, General Secretary, Irish Council of Churches
• Rev. Dr Janet Unsworth, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland
• Very Rev. Dr David Bruce, Former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

The opening service took place on Sunday June 28 in St Anne’s Cathedral where the celebrant was the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd John McDowell. Delegates have been meeting in the Presbyterian Assembly Buildings and their discussions continue until July 4.

The ACC meets every three years the last time they met in Ireland was in Dublin in 1973.

In her Presidential Address, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, in her first visit to the Church of Ireland, said:

“The theme that gathers us – Called To One Hope – is a challenging one, and rightly so. It’s an invitation, despite our differences and disagreements, to trust the God who has called us together, and therefore to hope in the future he is preparing for us”.

The ACC also heard opening addresses from the Chair of the ACC, Canon Maggie Swinson, the Archbishop of Armagh, the Secretary General, the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo and the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, the Most Revd Dr Hosam Naoum.

During the week members have been considering a wide range of topics. They have heard from IASCUFO (the Inter–Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order) on the Nairobi–Cairo Proposals. A bold new proposal called ‘Vision36’ to plant or restore a million churches across the Anglican Communion has been presented.

The Anglican Communion’s Safe Church Commission presented a report calling for ongoing commitment to safeguarding and building a culture of safe church across the Communion. They also considered environmental issues and heard from member churches, including the Church of Ireland. Archdeacon Andrew Orr, Bishop–elect of Cork, Cloyne and Ross described deforestation and pollution of water sources in Ireland. As part of a Global Conversation on Refugees and Migrants, ACC members reflected on displacement, solidarity, welcome, justice and how churches can respond to those forced to leave their homes.

On Wednesday (July 1) more than 100 Anglicans with ecumenical guests from around the world, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, went on a pilgrimage to Derry/Londonderry. The pilgrimage was organised by the Right Revd Andrew Forster, Bishop of the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe, with members of the local church and community. Through prayer, reflection and encounters with the city’s history, the ACC–19 pilgrims explored the church’s ministry in the midst of sectarian conflict and Northern Ireland’s peace process.

You can watch a video about the visit to Derry/Londonderry here:

Renowned Christian author CS Lewis’s Belfast home and parish welcomed Anglican’s from all over the world yesterday evening (Thursday July 2). Seventy members and guests at ACC–19 set out for East Belfast to explore the birth place of the Narnia author.

The first stop was St Mark’s Church, Dundela, where he was baptised and confirmed. The Old Rectory at St Mark’s is one of the few remaining buildings with a direct link to Clive Staples (Jack) Lewis. St Mark’s was his home parish, his grandfather was the first Rector. He returned there many times later in life, not least to mark his journey back to faith and memorialise his parents in the stained–glass Lewis window in the church.

After a brief introduction by the Rector, Canon Dr Helene Steed, delegates were delighted to see the replica of the door knob on the rectory, an intricate lion’s head, which is said to have inspired CS Lewis. Many also climbed the 45 steep steps to the bell tower to ring the famous St Mark’s bells under the watchful eye of Tower Ringing Master, Don McLean.

Then members enjoyed a visit to Little Lea, the home of CS Lewis from 1905. The house is now owned by Gina Copty, of the Church of Ireland Commission for Christian Unity and Dialogue, and her husband Chris McDowell. The house is currently undergoing extensive restoration but members were delighted to be able to explore it, right up to the attic which may also have provided inspiration to the author. A new portrait of CS Lewis, commissioned by Gina and Chris, was unveiled at the event and guests were treated to a magnificent musical interlude.

Speaking at the launch Bishop Ian Ellis commented, ‘What this book does so well is to ground pastoral practice with a theological underpinning. It brings together the best of Anglicanism and other church practices of pastoral care and incorporates these with theological insights.  It is also an inspiration to better and more wide–ranging pastoral practice.

“I warmly commend this book and I hope that theological students, clergy and others find in reading it, a fuller revelation of our calling to be shepherds of the flock of Christ’.

Copies of this interesting new book can be obtained for €25.00 from the CITI Admin Office (please email  admin@theologicalinstitute.ie)  or by clicking on the Wipf and Stock Link: Perspectives on Pastoral Ministry– Wipf and Stock Publishers.

The cathedral community and many friends gathered for Choral Evensong to bid a fond farewell to the Dean and his wife Celia. After 18 years, the Dean will hand back to the Archbishop of Dublin the pastoral care of the cathedral and its parishes on August 31.

Fittingly and in line with the strong tradition of the Cathedral Choir, music shaped the service with two anthems, one commissioned for the occasion composed by Jack Oades, former organ scholar and acting director of music and assistant director of music. The Cathedral Choir was joined at the end of the service by Christ Church Community Choir for an outstanding rendition of ‘The Parting Glass’ before the congregation made their way out into the sunshine for a party on the labyrinth.

The service began with a presentation to Dermot and Celia by Precentor and Sub–Dean Canon Roy Byrne on behalf of the cathedral family. For the past 18 years, he said, Dermot and Celia have loved and cared for the cathedral and have been part and parcel of its life. “They have in many ways opened the doors of this place wider than could ever have been imagined,” he said noting that Dermot had never allowed the cathedral to stand still. He wished them God’s speed and many years of happiness ahead.

Canon Byrne read a message from Archbishop Michael Jackson who was attending the opening service of the Anglican Consultative Council’s meeting in Belfast at the same time. “Today is Dermot’s day,” he said. “We wish him health and happiness in the next phase of the life he and Celia share. We thank him for his commitment to the cathedral as an ever changing community and as a heritage building in the beating heart of the city.” The Archbishop also thanked him for his kindness, his commitment to liturgy and his facilitation of diocesan services.

In his final sermon as Dean, Dermot said his overwhelming emotion was one of gratitude. He thanked all in the cathedral community, his many friends and clerical colleagues and Celia. He looked back beyond his 18 years as Dean to July 1997 where the seed was sown that would lead to him standing in the pulpit that Sunday. He paid tribute to the Ven Ricky Rountree who introduced him to the Church of Ireland as he and Celia were making Kilbride, just outside Bray, their spiritual home.

“There is no perfect way of saying goodbye,” he observed. “Today there is joy and sadness, excitement and uncertainty, relief and nostalgia. But overall there is gratitude. This afternoon is not really about saying goodbye it is about saying thank you.”

When looking for inspiration for his final sermon he turned to Gloria Gaynor and her famous anthem ‘I will survive’. It is a story about how, after life’s upsets, somehow we keep going and there is something wonderfully hopeful about that, he observed. “But Christians have a deeper song. We do not simply survive. We are sustained. We are carried. We are upheld by the grace of God,” he said.

He thanked all who sustained the life of the cathedral – the staff, Chapter, board and volunteers. He thanked Archbishop Michael and previous Archbishops of Dublin, Archbishop John and Archbishop Walton, for their trust support and friendship. He thanked the Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough for allowing the cathedral to play its part in the life of the diocesan family. And to all beyond the walls, civic leaders, ecumenical partners, friends of other faiths, neighbours, visitors and pilgrims – “You have reminded us that the Gospel is never confined within walls”. Above all he thanked the regular congregation of Christ Church Cathedral who for 18 years had allowed him into the most sacred moments of their lives.

“This cathedral has welcomed presidents and pilgrims, tourists and theologians, schoolchildren and sceptics, believers and those who were not quite sure what they believed,” Dean Dunne said. “I have always hoped that everyone who crossed these doors would know that they were welcome before they were anything else. That, it seems to me, is how Christ receives us.

“If there is one thing I hope my ministry has reflected, it is that the Kingdom of God is always larger than the categories by which we divide ourselves. Larger than our labels. Larger than our certainties. Larger even than the Church itself. It is a Kingdom where grace always has the first word, and love always has the last.”

The words of Evensong have become deeply woven into his soul, he said – ‘Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord…’ “How often have we sung those words together?’ he asked. “They have accompanied us through moments of celebration and sorrow, certainty and doubt. They have reminded me that faith is not about having all the answers.Faith is trusting the One who walks beside us when we cannot yet see the road ahead.”

Dean Dunne said he is leaving office with profound hope. For almost 1,000 years generations have worshipped in the cathedral. “Long after every one of us has become part of its history, prayer will continue to rise from this place. The choir will continue to sing. Children will continue to be baptised. The hungry will continue to be fed. The stranger will continue to be welcomed. The Gospel will continue to be proclaimed. That is wonderfully reassuring,” he said.

His words were received with standing ovation. You can read the full text of the Dean’s sermon here.

There are many more photos on our Facebook page:

Today’s incident is particularly distressing as it comes only hours after three men pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to terrorism–related offences arising from a plot to set fire to a mosque in Galway in 2025. The coincidence of these events serves as a stark reminder that hatred directed against any faith community can never be ignored and must always be confronted through the rule of law, education and solidarity.

On behalf of our communities and leaders, DCIF extends solidarity, prayers and support to the Imam, leadership and congregation of the Al Madinah Islamic Centre. We recognize fear and distress that attack causes, not only for those who worship there, but for communities throughout Ireland. We want members of the Islamic Community to know that they are not alone. People of Dublin stand with you, and fellow faith communities stand with you.

A place of worship is a sanctuary, a space dedicated to prayer, reflection, compassion and service. An attack on any place of worship is an attack on the shared values that bind our diverse city together. Such acts seek to spread fear and division, but they must never be allowed to succeed.

We also wish to express our sincere gratitude to Dublin Fire Brigade and An Garda Síochána for their swift, professional and courageous response. Their prompt intervention ensured the building was evacuated safely and prevented what could have been a far more serious tragedy. We thank all emergency personnel who responded with dedication and professionalism during this incident.

DCIF welcomes the ongoing Garda investigation and trusts that those responsible will be identified and brought before the courts. We encourage anyone with information that may assist the investigation to cooperate fully with An Garda Síochána.

At this difficult time, we call upon everyone across Dublin and Ireland to remain calm and reject any attempt to sow fear, hatred or division. We ask our fellow citizens to rally around the Al Madinah Islamic Centre and the wider Muslim community with kindness, empathy and practical acts of solidarity. Let today’s response be one of compassion rather than fear, unity rather than division, and hope rather than hatred.

Dublin has long been enriched by its religious and cultural diversity. Our different faith communities have worked together for many years to build relationships based on trust, dialogue and mutual respect. We remain steadfast in our commitment to these values and will continue to work together through our Safe Haven program, to ensure that every person, regardless of their faith or background, can worship freely and safely.

Today we stand united with our Muslim brothers and sisters. We reject hatred in all its forms. Together, we affirm that there is no place in Ireland for attacks on places of worship or for those who seek to divide our communities through violence and intimidation.

David passed away on Sunday June 29 2026 in the company of his wife Margaret and daughter Shirley. He was predeceased by his son Derek. His funeral service will take place on Friday morning, July 3, at 10.30am in Sandford Parish Church (see details on RIP.ie https://rip.ie/death-notice/david-wynne-dublin-rathmines-635018 ).

Archbishop Michael Jackson has paid tribute to David.

“I am very sad to learn of the death of Mr David Wynne. On my own behalf and on behalf of the United Dioceses I extend my sympathy to Margaret and to Shirley and to everyone who has known David in a number of interlocking circles of friendship and work over the years.

“David was devoted to the Church of Ireland, to his parish and to the cathedral. Few can ever forget his clear and faithful way of reading the Scriptures and his deliberate way of approaching the Lectern.

“David served the Church of Ireland through his secretaryship of the SEC; through membership of the Diocesan Councils and Diocesan Board of Patronage; through membership of the Friends of Christ Church Cathedral Committee and in countless other ways – many of them simply by turning up and being there at church based events.

“In recent years he bore sadness and illness nobly and with a determination to participate, to be engaged and to travel – often against the odds.

“Countless people miss David and we rejoice that Almighty God has taken him to himself in a kindly way while we mourn with Margaret and Shirley in these days of loss.

“I shall miss him greatly for his loyalty, his friendship and his conversation.”

+Michael

Dublin and Glendalough

The festivities will continue in the autumn but the last few days has seen a flurry of activity marking 200 years of faith and community in Sandford. On Thursday evening ‘Sandford Parish: A History, 1826–2026’ by David O’Shea was launched by John Bowman. Throughout the weekend the fascinating Sandford 200 exhibition ran in the church.

On Sunday morning the Archbishop of Dublin was the celebrant and preacher at a special celebration of Holy Communion which concluded with a magnificent rendition of ‘Te Deum Laudamus’ by the choir. The service was attended by the Revd Patrick Irwin, the great, great, great grandson of the first Rector of Sandford, the Revd Henry Irwin. Also present was Fr Leonard Moloney SJ from nearby Milltown Park.

Archbishop Michael Jackson drew the inspiration for his sermon from the readings – Genesis 28: 16–22; Ephesians 2: 13–18; St Matthew 10: 40–42 which focused in turn on place, reconciliation and belonging.

He said that in the last 200 years the city of Dublin and its suburbs have developed and expanded beyond recognition. It remained the hope of people that they would not the people of their neighbourhood, he said, and in the charming and vibrant Ranelagh this was a reasonable expectation. He suggested that the parish and parish church were key elements in fulfilling this expectation.  

“In this suburb of Ranelagh, place, reconciliation and belonging are key drivers in our work in 2026. I speak of place because the church itself and where it is are your key asset, your finest resource – unquestionably… Everybody knows Sandford Church. From its energy over two centuries flow your impact, your identity and your investment. Sandford Parish Church is synonymous with this part of Dublin. It gives you, its parishioners, an unique impact. Sandford Parish Church is synonymous with this area of Sandford Close which includes the Church, the Terrace, the School and the Rectory – and of course the Rector! Sandford Church is also your crowning glory because it speaks for itself and commends itself by being on the street… and also by its loveliness,” he said.

Sandford Parish Church began life as Sandford Chapel, a Trustee Church. It subsequently became a parish, the Archbishop said adding that in its early days it had the distinct advantage of consolidating its position through the long ministry of Henry Irwin, whose son Alexander also served as his curate assistant, for over 30 years.

Commending the book on the history of Sandford Church he said it tells the story in vivid detail combining illustration of aspects of the parish but threading through this the context of each of the three centuries of world history in which the church has made its mark.

Archbishop Jackson explored what suburban religion looks like and asked what it offers. “What makes it distinctive, and therefore precious, is the specific concentration of capacities that people in suburban parishes can have and frequently do have and are willing to share. When this happens, people can and do bring expertise from their daily work directly into their church commitment and service. This is exciting and energizing because it helps people to connect their work and their discipleship with one another, so they make sense as an integrated whole,” he commented.

You can read the Archbishop’s sermon in full here.