The Friends of St. Doulagh’s Church invite you to
a candle-lit Vivaldi and Verdi Evening in St Doulagh’s Church
Malahide Road, Balgriffin
on Friday 14th September 2007 at 8.00 p.m.

Recorded music with live musical interludes

Introduced by Ms Dorothy Conaghan, B.A., B. Mus., MusDip.
(Musical Director, Young Dublin Symphonia)

All monies raised go to the Restoration of St. Doulagh’s Church

A guided tour of the church will be given at 7.00 p.m.

Admission €10

St Doulagh’s Church on the Malahide Road, in Balgriffin, Fingal, Co Dublin, is reputed to be Ireland’s oldest stone roofed church still in continuous use. This ancient church, circa 6th century, is frequently regarded as the “Jewel in Fingal’s Crown. It can trace its history down the centuries, from the time of St Patrick, through its history as a hermit’s cell, a monastery, a church linked with Christ Church Cathedral, and now part of the United Parishes of Malahide, Portmarnock, and Balgriffin. Small in size yet large in heart, it leads the way in building ecumenical relations with its neighbouring churches.
The church draws visitors from far and wide throughout the world, and has been painted by untold numbers of artists, including members of one of Ireland’s leading family of artists, the Hones.One of their paintings of the church is presently housed in The National Gallery of Ireland, in Merrion Square, Dublin 2.
The church is open for guided tours every Sunday afternoon during the summer, and by arrangements at other times for Schools, Clubs and Associations.
It is also open every day during National Heritage Week, which this year will be held from Saturday 25th August to Sunday 2nd September inclusive. Opening times are as follows: Sunday, 25th Aug. & Sunday 2nd Sept 2pm - 6pm and weekdays 11am - 5pm. Throughout the week the church will be on view in all of its glory, as the ladies of the parish are organizing a Festival of Flowers telling the life story of the church.
The festival will be formally opened on Friday 24th at 8pm by the Cathaoirleach of Fingal County Council, Clr Alan Farrell. Admission to events during Heritage Week is free, however donations towards the cost of the event and the Church Restoration Fund will be welcome.
The church is located on the R107 from Dublin to Malahide,and is close to the M1/M50/N32 , just follow the signs to Malahide. Buses 42 & 43 stop outside the church.
Why not organize a Parish, or Mother’s Union or Social/Historical Society outing to this event, and continue your visit on to Malahide and visit its castle and shops?
Further details are available on the website. www.freewebs.com/stdoulaghs or by phone to 353-1-8475217 or mob.353-87-6711547.

After a very busy Heritage Week at St Doulagh’s, Guided Tours will continue up to mid - October every Sunday from 3pm to 5pm. So, if you were unable to visit us during the Summer be sure to do so before the Season ends. Tours can be arranged during the year for Groups, by telephone to 087-6711547, or by email to buaghoduibh2002@yahoo.ie. Don’t let 2006 go without a visit to Ireland’s oldest stone-roofed Church, still in continuous use after 1,400 years of Christian Worship at this site.

The church is located at Balgriffin, on the R107 Dublin to Malahide Road, some 600 metres north of Balgriffin Cemetery.

BUSES: Take route no. 42 or no. 43 from City Centre (buses stop at Church).

DRIVING: Balgriffin is approximately 7 km North of Dublin City, via the R107, approximately 1km north of the intersection of the N32 junction at Clare Hall.