|
Our Mission:
Telling the
Story of Edmund Rice, sharing the Vision and nurturing the Response.
Our Role:
§
We
give welcome to all who wish to link with the Edmund Rice Network.
§
We
plan and support activities that promote the vision of Edmund Rice.
§
We seek to build good communications across the Edmund Rice Network.
§
We
manage and develop Edmund Rice Network services/projects
§
We
produce and distribute Edmund Rice resources and publications.
Meet the Staff and Community:
Front L to R:
Br Colm Griffey,
Communications; Br Jim Brehony, Administration; Teresa Lenihan,
Finance; Marise Carr, Edmund Rice Awards; Patricia Higgins, Edmund
Rice Camps and Voluntary Service Programme;
Back L to R:
Br Leo Judge,
Community; Michael Foster, Special Projects; Br Tom Furlong,
Community Leader; Br Tony Twomey, Immersion Programme/Community,
Donal O'Callaghan, Director; Br John Ahern, Vocations. Absent: Sr
Jane Forde, Reception Services
Facilities
The
Centre serves as a hub for the Edmund Rice Network, providing formal
and informal meeting spaces for the various groups within the
Network and offering a gathering point for Network friends,
associates and visitors, with an emphasis on hospitality and
belonging.
There is an impressive Conference Hall to accommodate up to 75
persons, an oratory for prayer and reflection, a boardroom, spaces
for smaller group meetings and an attractive dining area. The
facilities are available for use by any group and can be booked
through Reception.
Location
The
Centre is located in Edmund Rice House, North Richmond Street, which
is conveniently situated in central Dublin near Connolly Station
(Intercity trains, Dart and Luas lines) and on the 123 bus route.
History and Heritage
-
As Edmund
Rice’s first foundation in Dublin, the Centre is an important
heritage and visitor site.
-
The house
was the first Generalate and Novitiate of the Christian Brothers
and Edmund Rice himself lived here from 1831-1838.
-
The
beautifully renovated Oratory in the Centre is the original room
where Edmund prayed and where the early brothers made their
vows. Desmond Kyne’s well-known icon with its symbolic
representation of the vision of Edmund Rice is a special feature
in the oratory.
-
The
Conference Hall with its decorated vaulted ceiling retains many
unique features of its initial purpose as the Chapel built for
the growing community in 1856.
-
The Centre’s
dining area was the Community Room in the original house and the
first two historic Chapters of the fledgling religious
congregation took place here also.
-
On the
second floor, Edmund’s bedroom, containing many artefacts from
his time, is set aside as a place of pilgrimage. Here he arose
at 5am each morning to the words “Live Jesus in our hearts
forever” and he made his last will and testament in this room
also.
-
The
Director’s office with its high glass bookcases was added in
1856 as a Library. The valuable books from these early days are
still retained in the Allen Library.
-
The
grandfather clock on the stairs was bought by Edmund, himself,
in 1831. For 110 years it summoned the brothers to community
activities and school and has occupied its present position on
the stairs since 1941.
-
The Centre’s
Reception area is located in the parlour dedicated to Edmund’s
great friend, Daniel O’Connell. Its key features are the
portrait of Edmund and the painting of O’Connell reading the Act
of Emancipation. In this room and in other key areas of the
Centre, visitors can read the history of the foundation and
early days of the Christian Brothers’ ministry.
-
The building
is also the location of the Allen Library and its basement area
houses many works of great historical significance.
|
