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Aughrim Street church

Church of the Holy Family, Aughrim Street

Aughrim StreetA Victorian Gothic church of rock faced snecked limestone with sandstone dressings, on a cruciform plan with octagonal t

This church is still ahead. Its chapter will be written when its visit comes.

§What is known
Built
1876 · J.S. Butler (1876); Doolin, Butler and Donnelly (1902 enlargement)
Style
A Victorian Gothic church of rock faced snecked limestone with sandstone dressings, on a cruciform plan with octagonal t
Dedication
Holy Family

Mass times

Sunday
10:30 AM
Saturday
5:30 PM (Italian Mass · Italian) · 6:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM (Weekday Mass)
Tuesday
10:00 AM (Weekday Mass) · 6:30 PM (Weekday Mass)
Wednesday
10:00 AM (Weekday Mass)
Thursday
10:00 AM (Weekday Mass)
Friday
10:00 AM (Weekday Mass)
Holy Days
10:30 AM (Holy Day Mass) · 6:30 PM (Holy Day Mass)
§Where
Address
Aughrim Street, Dublin 7 · D07 X452
Open route ↗ Official website ↗ Return to the map

No photographs yet — the essay appears only after the visit.

§Notes

Fragments gathered while researching this church: stories, curiosities, people and dates.

The police church

A local parish history recounts that the organ was originally paid for by members of the Royal Irish Constabulary and renovated in 1933 by members of the Gardai, and that an annual Mass of remembrance for all who served as police officers is held in the church. The Garda Siochana Retired Members' Association also keeps a page on the church.

Source: History of Aughrim Street Parish (local history page)

Church of the police forces

The NIAH notes that the church served as the official Catholic church of the Royal Irish Constabulary and subsequently of An Garda Siochana, whose headquarters are nearby in the Phoenix Park.

Film location

A local parish history records that several films were shot on location in the parish, including Educating Rita.

Three communities under one roof

Besides the local congregation, the parish hosts the Italian Catholic community in Dublin and the Romanian Greek Catholic community, each with its own liturgies.

Timeline

  • 1874
    Foundation stone blessed by Cardinal Cullen Cardinal Paul Cullen blessed the foundation stone in April 1874.
  • 1876
    First Mass celebrated The first Mass was celebrated on 8 December 1876, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, with the church serving as a chapel of ease to St Paul's, Arran Quay.
  • 1893
    Constituted an independent parish Archbishop William Walsh constituted Aughrim Street an independent parish on 18 May 1893.
  • 1902
    Church enlarged Doolin, Butler and Donnelly enlarged the church with two transepts and two aisles to serve the growing population of the artisan housing schemes; new high and side altars were carved by Patrick Tomlin.
  • 1932
    Congress Gate built The 1932 Eucharistic Congress in Dublin prompted the construction of the Congress Gate at the church.
  • 1933
    Organ renovated by Garda members The organ, originally financed by members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, was renovated in 1933 by members of the Gardai.
  • 1951
    Parish office extension added A two storey parish office extension in matching limestone was added in 1951, which the NIAH notes as a late example of such elaborate stonework.

People

  • John Sterling Butler Architect of the original church — The NIAH and Archiseek attribute the 1874-1876 church to John Sterling Butler.
  • Doolin, Butler and Donnelly Architects of the 1902 enlargement — The Dublin firm designed the 1902 enlargement that added transepts and aisles.
  • Patrick Tomlin Sculptor of the high altar and side altars — Tomlin carved the marble high altar with its reredos and the side altars during the 1902 works.
  • Cardinal Paul Cullen (1803-1878) Blessed the foundation stone — Cullen, Archbishop of Dublin and Ireland's first cardinal, blessed the foundation stone in April 1874.
  • Archbishop William Walsh (1841-1921) Erected the parish in 1893 — Walsh constituted Aughrim Street an independent parish on 18 May 1893.
  • Harry Clarke Studios Stained glass — The NIAH record lists windows by Mayer of Munich, the Harry Clarke Studios and Hubert McGoldrick.