About Us
Every story has a beginning. This is ours…
In the early years of the twentieth century the city centre was filled with overcrowded houses where several generations of a family lived together. In a report compiled for Archbishop Byrne for the establishment of the new Parish of Cabra it said “We have to thank the kindly activities of our City Fathers who within recent years have done so much for the relief of many congested portions of our city. May they continue this good work until every slum and tenement have been cleared and all our population are properly and suitably housed.” (Fr. J.J. Flood 1932) And so Cabra was
born, extending quickly into Cabra West.
Over the years these Parishes have been known for a strong sense of community spirit, where people looked out for each other and helped one another. That spirit is very much alive today. It is an area that has a rich sporting tradition and has been called “the home of Irish soccer.” It continues to have thriving sports clubs and our GAA Club Naomh Fionnbarra is at the centre of the community.
The two Parishes have been at the heart of the lives of the families here. It is here that baptisms, holy communions, confirmation, weddings, ordinations and religious professions have taken place. It is from here that so many have gone home to God. The spirit of our Parishes has been built on the gospel values of the greatest commandment, to love God and to love our neighbour. In looking back at all the people who have been involved in the Parishes in so many different ways we have a great foundation to build on.
As we move forward changes will happen. The two Parishes are now served by one team of priests, deacon and parish sister. The Pastoral Councils are working closely with each other and parish groups are being formed together. In our partnership we are also beginning to plan and work with Navan Road and Phibsboro so that together we can create a living faith community to carry us forward.
In the vision for renewal Archbishop Farrell says “While creating opportunities for parishes to collaborate and share in parish partnerships, we are also focussing on strengthening the ability of parishes, rooted in their own communities, to be effective agents of accompaniment and pastoral care into the future.”
History of the Church of Christ the King
The Church of the Christ the King is a well known city landmark. It’s central location at the heart of the community is undisputed, the evidence of the network of houses which have been built encircling it bears testimony to this. Opened on 29th October 1933, by Archbishop Byrne it was designed by Mr. Robinson,and built by Fitzgerald and Leonard at the Cost of £35,000.
It proudly boasts of its statue of Christ the King which was sculpted in Trieste. This statue was buried in the ground during the war but was later crated in sections and dispatched to Cabra. It finally arrived at its destination in the 1950’s.
Also of historical significance are the candlesticks on the Main Altar and the metal cross on the left hand side of the Church. These were given to the parish following their use during the International Eucharistic Congress held in Dublin in 1932 together with a beautiful Thurible used at Mass in the Phoenix Park.
The painting known as the Agony in the Garden which is now on the inside wall near the main entrance of the Church, was painted by the artist Patrick Tuohy. When he was about twenty five he painted the Agony in the Garden for the Church of Loreto Female boarding and day Schools in North Great Georges St. Having been removed from there it was acquired by Canon O’Callaghan for the Church of Christ the King. The noted art critic and later director of the National Gallery, Thomas McGreevy described it as the crowning work of his first youth having sensibility pathos and dignity, fine design and beautiful quality.
For many years the parish was blessed with the pastoral presence of the Franciscan Minoress Sisters who worked tirelessly throughout the whole community and they are lovingly remembered. The sisters ministered to so many of our parishioners from 1987 to 2016.
The historic building is a testimony to the highest skill of architecture, building and labour of the time. It continues to be a focal point for the local community who regard it as an important heritage, a link with the past, a vital part of the present life of the people, as well as a legacy for the future. It represents for them security, continuity,development and tradition. Its towering presence watching over the area has great significance in their lives and symbolising permanence, changes and challenges of today. In the case of the many elderly and those living alone it offers social, spiritual and pastoral support and our parish webcam is very helpful.
As an expression of their care and support, they have sought over the years to contribute generously, in as far as they have been able to the developments and changes required and in fact still strive to do so.
History of Cabra West Parish and Most Precious Blood Church
In March 1942, Archdeacon O’Ceallachain, purchased the Dalgan Park Chapel for £1,000.00 to serve as the Parish Church for the new Parish to the west of the railway lines which would be known as Cabra West Parish from August 1946. The ‘Tin Church’ served the community for ten years before the Church of the Most Precious Blood was opened on the 6 th December 1953. The Church cost £96,000.00 and was built to serve the community of 16,000 people. It would hold 1,700 in the nave and an additional 300 in the gallery. One of the many beautiful features of the Church isthe Organ, installed by Messrs. Pells and Zoon of Holland and which attracted much attention. In July 1955 RTÉ broadcast a recital from the Church when the organ was played by Jean Langlais of St. Clothilde in Paris. It was commented of the broadcast “I don’t think I have ever heard a more satisfying organ tone on the radio.”
The Church itself is a magnificent building in the Romanesque style. It is on a site giving a view of the Dublin and Wicklow mountains from the main door. As time has gone on this has been obscured by the tree lined Inver Road. In the beginning the Tin Church was a Chapel of Ease to Cabra. From this flowed the guidance needed to establish a Parish and Schools in days of want and poverty. Fr. Valentine Burke was appointed as the first Parish Priest and it was his organisational skills that brought about the setting up of the various services the area needed.
Like Cabra West, the Church of the Most Precious Blood has matured and grown and has adapted to the needs of our parishioners today. The seating capacity has reduced with a new Altar being brought forward and the spacious Credo area which can cater for a more intimate type of service, hospitality, religion classes and meetings. Over a cup of tea we have a chat or perhaps discuss what current concerns we might have. It makes for a more approachable and welcoming Church.
In the Church grounds the Sancta Maria Ladies Club offered support to older people in a pre-fab. A proper building was needed with a professional kitchen for “Meals on Wheels”. This was opened in 1987. Many people attend the Centre and have their meals with others, get their hair styled, a manicure or assistance and advice on how to cope with their day to day tasks. It is a warm comfortable environment where they can spend time taking part in various activities or just talking with peers about the “good old days”.
Other amenities in the Parish are the Luas Transport hub at Broombridge, the first-class sports facilities in ‘the Bogies’ (St. John Paul II Park). The deaf community have always been part of the area with the schools at St. Joseph’s and St. Mary’s. The approach of the Deaf Village makes it a place for the whole community to use its gym, café, pool and meeting facilities. Other sports facilities are Naomh Fionnbarra CLG/GAA Club which is a social hub in the community. Beggsboro FC grounds on Kilkieran Road and the TU Dublin facilities on Bannow Road are alive and active with sport.
These clubs, based on the strong level of volunteers, are a tribute to the men and women who set them up and continue to run them, looking after young and old and maintaining high standards of inclusiveness and egalitarianism.
From its beginnings addressing in a very progressive way the poverty, over-crowding and housing crisis of Dublin city, it has matured to becoming a very desirable area with good schools and excellent transport links with buses, Luas and mainline trains. The bombing of the North Strand on the 31 st May 1941 and tenement building being condemned meant the then Dublin Corporation needed a plan. Their architect was Mr. Herbert Simms and it was thought he based his design on Welwyn Garden City in England, which at the time was eco-friendly and forward thinking. At a time when
the young State had few resources he build 17,000 homes. As a Parish the foundation of caring and sharing with neighbours who look out for one another has been well instilled by parents and grandparents. Even in times of change this spirit of community underpins this place and influence who we are. The area continues to grow and develop with people coming from many places to make Cabra their home.
Christ the King Parish Office
Opening Hours Monday to Friday 10:00am to 12:30pm
Parish Office,
Christ the King Church,
Offaly Road, Dublin 7.
D07 N2Y1
01 8680804
parishoffice@cabraparish.ie
Secretary – Suzanne Moore
Most Precious Blood Parish Office
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10:00am to 12:30pm
Parish Office,
Most Precious Blood Church,
Faussagh Avenue, Dublin 7
D07 X825
01 838 4418
parishoffice@cabraparish.ie
Secretary – Deirdre Hedderman
Dublin Diocesan Parish Partnership
We are part of a partnership of Parishes made up of:
Christ the King, Cabra,
Most Precious Blood, Cabra West
Our Lady Help of Christians, Navan Road
St. Peter’s, Phibsboro