29.06.2026
200 Years of Faith and Community at Sandford Church and Parish School
A weekend of bicentenary celebrations for Sandford Church and Sandford Parish National School culminated yesterday (Sunday June 28) with a special service followed by al fresco refreshments in glorious sunshine.
The festivities will continue in the autumn but the last few days has seen a flurry of activity marking 200 years of faith and community in Sandford. On Thursday evening ‘Sandford Parish: A History, 1826–2026’ by David O’Shea was launched by John Bowman. Throughout the weekend the fascinating Sandford 200 exhibition ran in the church.
On Sunday morning the Archbishop of Dublin was the celebrant and preacher at a special celebration of Holy Communion which concluded with a magnificent rendition of ‘Te Deum Laudamus’ by the choir. The service was attended by the Revd Patrick Irwin, the great, great, great grandson of the first Rector of Sandford, the Revd Henry Irwin. Also present was Fr Leonard Moloney SJ from nearby Milltown Park.
Archbishop Michael Jackson drew the inspiration for his sermon from the readings – Genesis 28: 16–22; Ephesians 2: 13–18; St Matthew 10: 40–42 which focused in turn on place, reconciliation and belonging.
He said that in the last 200 years the city of Dublin and its suburbs have developed and expanded beyond recognition. It remained the hope of people that they would not the people of their neighbourhood, he said, and in the charming and vibrant Ranelagh this was a reasonable expectation. He suggested that the parish and parish church were key elements in fulfilling this expectation.
“In this suburb of Ranelagh, place, reconciliation and belonging are key drivers in our work in 2026. I speak of place because the church itself and where it is are your key asset, your finest resource – unquestionably… Everybody knows Sandford Church. From its energy over two centuries flow your impact, your identity and your investment. Sandford Parish Church is synonymous with this part of Dublin. It gives you, its parishioners, an unique impact. Sandford Parish Church is synonymous with this area of Sandford Close which includes the Church, the Terrace, the School and the Rectory – and of course the Rector! Sandford Church is also your crowning glory because it speaks for itself and commends itself by being on the street… and also by its loveliness,” he said.
Sandford Parish Church began life as Sandford Chapel, a Trustee Church. It subsequently became a parish, the Archbishop said adding that in its early days it had the distinct advantage of consolidating its position through the long ministry of Henry Irwin, whose son Alexander also served as his curate assistant, for over 30 years.
Commending the book on the history of Sandford Church he said it tells the story in vivid detail combining illustration of aspects of the parish but threading through this the context of each of the three centuries of world history in which the church has made its mark.
Archbishop Jackson explored what suburban religion looks like and asked what it offers. “What makes it distinctive, and therefore precious, is the specific concentration of capacities that people in suburban parishes can have and frequently do have and are willing to share. When this happens, people can and do bring expertise from their daily work directly into their church commitment and service. This is exciting and energizing because it helps people to connect their work and their discipleship with one another, so they make sense as an integrated whole,” he commented.
You can read the Archbishop’s sermon in full here.
