In my quest to find a religion with which I felt comfortable this was it…read more Very different to any service which I had attended before. It was quiet and serene in a lovely building among some very nice people. No one preached or gave a sermon. Just sitting quietly - meditating for want of a better word. Every now and again one person would stand up and say something which had meaning for them that they wanted to share. most people sat quietly. The building is known as a meeting house and it is that a meeting house of like minded people on a path. You are encouraged to find your own path. For me it was like being at home. Tea or coffee afterwards.

This is a well attended and well appointed Catholic Church in the Dublin suburb of Monkstown. Often…read moreoverlooked due to its flamboyant Anglican neighbour and namesake-a Gothick Triumph designed by Semple with the distinguishment of being John Betjemans favorite church- this church is none the less one of great beauty in its own right. An excellent study in French Gothic, this neo-gothic granite building dates from the 1860s in the main and was designed by Pugin and Ashlin, who were perhaps the greatest proponents of Victorian Gothic in their day,the equal of the Gilbert Scotts and perhaps only rivaled by the father of one of its members Augustus Pugin. The exterior contains much finely preserved embellished carving in its main entrance front, its beautiful wrought iron railings as well as flache along the roof, decorative roof slates,and of course its beautiful tower and steeple, the bells where recently recommissioned by the last priest,giving much embellishment to the village. All set within its rather lovely if undervalued Close. Inside, it follows a very traditional Catholic arrangement, being not too greatly marred by Vatican 2, bar the loss of just a small amount of its original ornament-thank god!! The interior has several striking interior features. Firstly its stained glass, which is well known and of great quality in that quintessentially Victorian way, provides a delicate and lovely illumination of the interior. Secondly the stone of the columns and peers, all in red and black with white capitals add a little drama, but its triumph de force is its carvings. It holds a unique set of stations of the cross, many beautiful altars and statuary, all finished white (bar two!). It is a striking arrangement of sheer elegance which with its delicate coloured light creates a sublime atmosphere. I always felt lucky to have such a beautiful parish church growing up as a child. It hosts the regular catholic ceremonies, and has a fairly decent choir for Sunday noon service, accompanied by quite a wonderful organ.