Posted: 15 May 2006
May 17-28, 2006 – Programme of events to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the University Church
To mark the beginning of a week-long programme of events to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the University Church, An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern will unveil restored Raphael’s Tapestry Cartoons (1515-1516) in University Church, St Stephen’s Green on Wednesday 17 May.
Also as part of the programme of events, the Irish State, through the auspices of An Post, will issue a national Newman Commemorative Stamp on Wednesday 25 May.
Other events include:
17 May
Installation and viewing of 21st century copies of the Raphael Tapestry Cartoons 1515-1516 depicting Acts of St Peter and St Paul and the twelve Apostles
20 May
Special Mass for those who were married at University Church
21 May
Parish Mass – Celebration launch of 150th Anniversary of the founding of University Church (Choir of the Parish; Director: John Brady)
22 May
Lunchtime Mass
Choral Evensong (Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin; Director: Judy Martin)
23 May
Lunchtime Mass
24 May
Parish Schools Event
Lunchtime Mass
25 May
Ascension Day
Lunchtime Mass - Principal celebrant - Most Reverend Diarmuid Martin, DD. Archbishop of Dublin (Choir of the Parish; Director: John Brady)
First day issue of Newman Commemorative Stamp
26 May
Feast of St Philip Neri
Parish Schools Event
Lunchtime Mass – Principal Celebrant – Most Reverend Jim Moriarty, DD. Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin (Choir: Habemus; Director: John Keegan)
27 May
Celebration Seminar (Old Physics Theatre, Earlsfort Terrace) – Speakers: Dr Paddy Masterson, Emeritus President UCD; Dr Martin Henry, DD Pontifical University Maynooth & Dr Michael McCarthy, Emeritus Professor, History of Art, UCD
28 May
Parish Mass (Choir of the Parish; Director: John Brady)
Mozart: Te Deum followed by Solemn Benediction (Choir: Lassus Scholars & Piccollo Lasso; Director: Ite O’Donovan
Download (PDF) Programme of Events
University Church, St Stephen’s Green
A national synod of the Catholic bishops decided to establish a Catholic University of Ireland. Archbishop Cullen invited John Henry Newman to come to Dublin to lecture and offered him the rectorship of the university. He was installed in 1854, the year the university was opened at 86 St Stephen’s Green.
Newman set out to provide a church for the university and when number 87 came up for sale he bought it and set about building a church in the garden. He sought the help of his friend, John Hungerford Pollen, in constructing and decorating it. The plan for the church was Newman’s, with ideas stemming from his enthusiasm for the ancient basilicas of Italy. Built by the firm of Deane and Woodward, which had been involved with the Engineering Department of Trinity College, Dublin and the building of the Kildare Street Club, the church opened on Ascension Day, 1 May 1856.
In 1880 the church became part of St Kevin’s Parish, Harrington Street, with the diocese of Dublin taking responsibility for its finances and upkeep and in 1974 it became the church of a newly formed parish.
For more information visit www.universitychurch.ie