Twin Pillar Strategy

St Mary’s Cathedral and St Andrew’s Westland Row

Twin Pillars of the Church’s Witness at the Heart of Dublin City

The heart of every big city is a special place, a place of vitality and encounter. The Church has a special mission of invitation, outreach and service to the communities of the inner city, to those who come into the heart of the city for work, leisure or shopping, and to visitors seeking to explore the city, its story and its character.

Archbishop Dermot Farrell has initiated a Twin Pillar Strategy to support that mission, focusing on St Mary’s Cathedral and St Andrew’s Church, Westland Row. Both are historic churches with a long tradition of service to the Archdiocese and the city, as well as to the local parish communities.

(Homily of Archbishop Dermot Farrell introducing the Twin Pillar Strategy, Feast of St Kevin, 2024)

St Mary’s and St Andrew’s will co-operate to complement each other through their programmes of liturgy, music, talks and events. Both are houses of prayer which will continue to welcome those who come every day, not only for Mass and the Sacraments, but also for prayer, recollection and peace. Both churches have distinct traditions and strengths and both engage with different aspects of the life of the City, north and south.

While St Mary’s Cathedral is temporarily closed for essential conservation, accessibility and renewals works, the cathedral functions of the Archdiocese are being hosted by St Andrew’s. During this period of transition, careful preparations are being made to ensure that, on the reopening of St Mary’s, both churches will offer a renewed welcome to all, the faithful and the curious alike, and engage respectfully with the life of the wider City and society.

(Essential conservation, accessibility and renewal works at St Mary’s Cathedral)

Further details of the new Twin Pillar mission will be announced as they are developed by a group representing both parish communities, led by Bishop Paul Dempsey.