Saint Martin De Porres

The year is 1976. Excitement crackles in the air as Archbishop Dermot Ryan prepares to bless a brand-new church. This isn’t just any church. This is Saint Martin De Porres, in the heart of Old Bawn, Dublin. The Archbishop’s blessing on December 12th marked a special moment for the parish. Saint Martin De Porres became a beacon of faith, the only church in all of Ireland dedicated to this humble saint. The parish itself carries a rich history. It stretches from the bustling Square Shopping Centre to the tranquil foothills of the Dublin Mountains. Encompassing areas like St. Maelruan’s Park, Watergate, and Aylesbury, Saint Martin De Porres embraces a community over 3,000 homes strong. The church we see today wasn’t always under diocesan care. In 1985, Old Bawn officially became a parish under the Dominican Order. However, in 1999, the Dominicans, led by Fr. Alfie Byrne, made the difficult decision to transfer Saint Martin De Porres to the Dublin diocese. It was a moment of change and a testament to the community’s resilience. This transition marked a historic event. It was the first time a parish transferred from a religious order to the diocese in Ireland. Today, Saint Martin De Porres thrives, a testament to community spirit and shared faith. The parish echoes with the words of Micah 6:8, inspiring its parishioners to “act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with our God”.