Our Lady of Dolours

History

The earliest recorded Christian foundation in Glasnevin appears to be the monastery established by St Mobhi in the sixth century, whose monastic school numbered among its pupils the saints Canice of Finglas, Colmcille of Iona and Comgall of Bangor. In post-Reformation times Glasnevin belonged successively to the parishes of Coolock, Clontarf and Fairview.

In 1881 Fr Keon, parish priest of Fairview, had a temporary church built on the site of the present building. Known as the Wooden Church, the structure had previously served as a church in Berkeley Road and, earlier still, in Glasthule. It was extended in its early years and served Glasnevin for almost 90 years. Glasnevin became a parish in its own right in 1912, with Fr Dudley, later Canon Dudley, as its first parish priest.

The Wooden Church was demolished in 1969 and work on the present church began soon afterwards, a temporary church being erected in the grounds of the Bon Secours Hospital while building was in progress. Archbishop John Charles McQuaid placed the foundation stone on 25 March 1971 and the church was dedicated by Archbishop Dermot Ryan on 5 March 1972.

The building

The church was designed by Vincent Gallagher and built to a pyramid form. The parish records it as one of the first Catholic churches in Ireland to incorporate a community centre in its basement.

The sanctuary cross suspended over the altar table was painted by Patrick Pollen, and the Stations of the Cross, etched on tinted glass, are by Ronan Jacob.