St Michael’s Parish, Inchicore, Dublin 8



St. Michael’s Parish is located in the historic area of Inchicore, Dublin 8. Kilmainham Gaol and Goldenbridge Cemetery (the first catholic cemetery in Dublin after Catholic Emancipation) are within our boundaries. One side of the parish is bordered by the LUAS and the Grand Canal. The church itself was built in the early 19 th century and served as the garrison church for Richmond Barracks. It was in the Barracks that the court-martials of most of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising took place. The first Free State Government closed the Barracks and the church then became a chapel of ease attached to St. James’s Parish. Archbishop Byrne installed the bell and officially opened the church for the people of Inchicore in 1926.

St. Michael’s became a parish in 1933. At this time, the population of the parish was significantly increasing with the building of the Bulfin Estate. Fr. James Doyle was appointed the first Parish Priest. Originally the parish covered all of Inchicore, Bluebell and lower Ballyfermot. In the 1940’s the plain windows of the church were replaced by beautiful stained glass designed by Harry Clarke. These windows remain the most striking feature of the church.

Bluebell became an independent parish in 1967. In 1972, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate were entrusted with the pastoral care of the area taking in the parishes of Bluebell, Mary Immaculate and St. Michael’s. The Golden Jubilee of the parish was celebrated in 1983 on completion of a major refurbishment of the church.

The first Oblate PP was Fr. Aidan O’Connor OMI who was succeeded by Fr. James (Jimmy) Nolan OMI (who died tragically young in 1988), Fr. Michael O’Connor OMI, Fr. Colm Connolly OMI, Fr. Denis Cormican OMI and the present PP, Fr. Kevin McLaughlin OMI.

St. Michael’s Parish is in a period of great and rapid change: new building developments are increasing the population and changing the look of the place. St. Michael’s Estate (built on the site of Richmond barracks) is in the process of redevelopment. The parish aims to build on and continue its tradition of high collaboration between the Oblates and laity as we work together for the future.