Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
St Patrick’s Initiative
One of the problems afflicting Dublin’s cathedrals is a lack of space. Unlike many of their British counterparts they are not surrounded by large cathedral closes. Christ Church is on an island site surrounded by traffic while St Patrick’s has a similarly limited site although the contiguous St Patrick’s park does give a certain sense of space. And so the cathedrals need to be constantly innovative to create new spaces.
A good example if this innovation is the opening, last week, by President Catherine Connolly, of The Mews, a new community and education space within the grounds of the Deanery of St Patrick’s cathedral.
The Mews occupies a site of historical significance. Formerly a coach house and stable, it stands adjacent to the building where Jonathan Swift lived during his time as dean of St Patrick’s. Carefully restored and reimagined in 2025 by Howley Hayes Cooney Architects and restored by Kelbuild, building contractor, the building is now dedicated to creativity, learning and community connection. Designed as a flexible and welcoming space, The Mews will host a wide range of activities including community gatherings, educational programmes, rehearsals, recitals and small scale performances.
The ground floor, which can accommodate up to 80 people, provides a reception and performance space, while the four classrooms upstairs will offer the choristers from the Cathedral Choir School and Cathedral Grammar School an inspiring environment for music and voice tuition. St Patrick’s is the last remaining choir school in the Church of Ireland.
Morning Service this Sunday on BBC Radio Ulster and Radio Foyle at 9.03am, will come from St Colmanell’s church, Ahoghill. The service will be led by Andrew Brooking, and the preacher will be Gordon Brown – both are ordinands at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute.
In Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, the series of Lenten sermons and addresses, devised by Canon Anne Lodge, continues at the 11am Sunday Eucharist, on the theme of ‘The homelessness crisis: A Christian response’. This Sunday the preacher will be the Archbishop of Dublin.
The series of lunchtime talks and concerts continues in St Mary’s cathedral, Limerick, on Tuesday at 1.15pm when there will be a piano recital by Mateo Daniel Coelho.
The Bishop of Clogher, Dr Ian Ellis, has announced appointments to the Chapter of the Cathedral Churches of St Macartan, Clogher, and St Macartin, Enniskillen. Canon Maurice Armstrong, Rector of Tempo and Clabby and previously Prebendary of Tullycorbet to be Chancellor. Canon Armstrong is the longest serving member of the Chapter. The Revd Johnny McLoughlin, Rector of Aghavea and Rural Dean of Clogher, to be Prebendary of Tullycorbet. The Revd William Jeffrey, Rector of Lisbellaw with Coolbuck and Rural Dean of Enniskillen, to be a Canon without stall. The Revd Lorraine Capper, Rector of Magheracross and Warden of Readers, to be a Canon without stall. The date for the Service of Installation has still to be fixed.