Welcome to the Margaret Aylward Centre for Faith and Dialogue, named in honour of Margaret Aylward, the founder of the Holy Faith Sisters; in whose grounds the centre sits.
I'm not a poet, though Glasnevin might make one a poet.
Margaret Aylward
This is an extraordinary building. It takes us all by surprise.
It is a wonderful example of contemporary creativity in building and style and yet it is surrounded by so many symbols of Dublin life, past and present.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Blessing of the Centre, 2014
It (the Margaret Aylward centre) is like a new frame within which and through which we see Dublin differently. The building and Dublin life come together into a type of contemporary fusion which challenges our set patterns and leads to reflection. It is a space where we are challenged to reflect anew, but not to flee from the realities that surround us.
Archbishop Martin, 2014
We are grateful to our architect, Ralph Bingham and his assistant architect, Kieran Fitzgerald, of MOLA Architecture for capturing our vision and translating it into a stunning building; to Glenbeigh Construction and to Mr Mark Johnston, project manager with W.K. Nowlan, for delivering the building with great efficiency.
Design – Ralph Bingham, MOLA Architecture: We were particularly conscious of the vistas and views from the site and the pristine green lawn and yew walk in front of Glasnevin House. We wanted the new Centre to sit and float above this fabulous green carpet. It was also our intention that the new building should sit as a pavilion or folly within its classical setting and should appear weightless as an object building. We decided to use opaque glass panels to mirror its glorious surroundings. The external skin will thus reflect the trees, sky, lawn and convent buildings around it.
The plan of the centre represents a journey of discovery, a spiral and labyrinth. It is formed from a series of axial circulation routes which are geometrically formed to contain space. These spaces operate as a theatre, a sacred space, a multi- purpose space and a series of small office-size rooms, all linked and interlocked with ramps and steps.
The main stairs that rises up to the sacred space is on axis with Mitchell’s Cedar tree. The steps down to the theatre space are in line with the O’Connell tower and tree tops of Glasnevin cemetery. The view from the large curved window in the first floor sacred space acts as a lens over the city skyline. A large roof terrace provides a breakout area from the sacred space and as a further place of contemplation.
The exterior of the building is contemporary with a neutral colour palette of greys and whites the interior comprises natural materials of timber wall linings, stone and oak flooring.
In the busyness of life and the everyday stresses we all encounter, it is refreshing to take time for space and silence. You are welcome to come to our centre to spend some time in our Sacred Space. There you can be nourished with silence, reading and reflection against the backdrop of the beauty of nature’s bounty.
Of the spiritual nature of our grounds in Glasnevin our foundress Margaret Aylward says: ‘Nature seems indeed to rest here and contemplate her God in quiet seclusion; and in her silent way invites the soul to lift herself to Him that made her.’
Click HERE to download a booklet with historical and botanic information
Click HERE to download a booklet with a reflective walk in the grounds
As this is a private grounds, please do call ahead to ensure access, and please sign in at the centre on arriving and leaving the site for insurance reasons. Unfortunately no dogs can be permitted on site for safety and bio-diversity reasons.
Opened in February 2014, this contemporary building, set in beautiful surroundings in north Dublin, is framed by old trees and a quiet walkway. The site is steeped in rich history and has a long association with the spiritual life, from St Mobhi in the 6th century up to today. Several religious orders and even a Bishop and his family called this place home! Now we are delighted to welcome you too into its beauty. Be inspired and nourished in this welcoming space where people of all faiths and none can immerse themselves in stillness and dialogue. #cityoasis.
Margaret Aylward, a Waterford woman, founded the congregation in Dublin in 1867 following many years of serving children in distress. This work was formalised in 1857 in St Brigid’s Orphanage – never a residential facility but a system of placing children with families in long-term fosterage. The need to provide school education for poor children saw the beginning of the network of Holy Faith schools. In these works, Miss Aylward was assisted by Fr John Gowan, a Vincentian priest based in Phibsborough, Dublin. The sisters first came to Glasnevin in 1865.
We are a religious congregation of Roman Catholic women living and working in four continents. Our purpose is to proclaim by word and action the love and truth of Jesus to the people of our day and to collaborate in creating a just world. Our consecration to God is expressed in the three vows we take at our profession, but living the vows is a daily commitment. We pray together, live together, love and laugh together. Relating to one another in love is at the heart of our life in community and we are in community for the mission entrusted to us. For more see holyfaithsisters.org
Many people ask about the vibrant wall hanging in our Events Room downstairs.
It was commissioned by the centre, especially for this space and arrived on June 5, 2015.
Daiva Stasiukynaite was invited to create this unique piece. We wanted colour; a piece that would inspire and draw us into beauty, silence and contemplation. This, and more, is what Daiva has achieved.
Daiva is a Lithuania-born, Irish-based textile designer, who loves natural fibres and works under Daiva’s Textiles brand producing local and quality wearable and fine art textiles. Her work reflects her love of art and inspiration drawn from nature distinguished by brushstrokes and watercolour-like signature. She spent many months designing and creating the beautiful wall hanging for our Events Space.
It is timely that the piece was ready for the first week in June, the month of vibrancy and colour.
Let me, O let me bathe my soul in colours; let me swallow the sunset and drink the rainbow.
The Margaret Aylward Centre is a community of sisters and friends who work together to create a welcoming space and an inspirational program of events for those who join us.
Our Director is Dympna Mallon.
Dympna has been active in social justice and pastoral issues for more than 20 years. She is passionate about the importance of dialogue and communication, promoting the dignity of each person and caring for our common home.
Our Office Manager is Geraldine Farrell.
Geraldine has worked for the Holy Faith Sisters for 12 years, supporting the General Team and the Margaret Aylward Centre.
Our Team of Volunteers
The Margaret Aylward centre relies on a team of volunteers – normally about 10-15 people – who welcome visitors and help create hospitable spaces.
All unattributed photographs on the site are by MOLA architecture, Donal Murphy, Ben O'Farrell and/or team members.
Wednesday, 8 March is International Women’s Day and this year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity. Most people have some understanding and awareness of the issue of gender equality, of the various forms of discrimination which can disadvantage women in terms of their social, economic, political, educational and…
Monday, 20 February 2023 marks World Day for Social Justice and this year’s theme is “Overcoming barriers and unleashing opportunities for Social Justice.” It can be easy for us to feel disconnected from this theme and wonder what we can do anything to support it….
The Margaret Aylward Centre is proud to share a new addition to our Centre in the form of “A Spiritual Journey”. This beautiful piece of artwork is on long-term loan to the Centre from Josette Vasallo, a French artist who has been living in Ireland…
Today is the feast of our most famous female saint, Brigid who died 1500 years ago. Born around Faughart in Co Louth and the daughter of a chieftain, Brigid was deeply committed to her Christian faith and is most closely associated with Kildare where she…
The Holocaust was a horrific event in history in which six million Jews and millions of others were systematically murdered by the Nazi regime during World War II. By remembering the Holocaust we honor the victims and ensure that such atrocities are never repeated. The…
Happy New Year to all our friends and collaborators. We hope you had a peaceful and restful break over Christmas and are looking towards 2023 with real hope. It has been a remarkably mild winter so far, apart from a few days of frost and…
Promotor of Young Ireland, organiser of famine relief in Wicklow, co-founder of the Holy Faith Sisters, Irish speaker, pilgrim, and a mean handball player: this was John Gowan, Skerries-born, Dublin diocesan, and then Vincentian priest who made such an impact in inner-city Dublin in the mid…
May your hearts and homes be filled with the Light of God With Us this Christmas. May you and yours be blessed with peace, love and hope. Read more here Events at the centre click here
Happy Hanukkah – Wishing abundant blessings of this special season to the Jewish community. Hanukkah, or the Festival of Rededication, celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its defilement by the Syrian Greeks in 164 BCE. Although it is a late addition to the Jewish liturgical…
Another liturgical year has ended. Advent and the month of December are all that stands between us and the celebration of Christmas and the end of the calendar year. Click here to read our Newsletter – Awakening 9 Events at the centre click here
Today we celebrate the 112th anniversary of Margaret Aylward’s birthday. The foundress of the Holy Faith Sisters demonstrated a lifelong commitment to social justice and advocating for those on the margins of society, with a special care for women and children. Living and working throughout…
We are excited to be hosting our first ever Christmas Craft fair in the Centre on Saturday 12th November from 10am-1pm. Ideas for gifts or items to bring some festive spirit to your homes can be found in the selection of crafts such as knitwear,…
As we celebrate the Feasts of All Saints and All Souls, we take time to reflect on those who have gone before us. We remember their lives and their part in our lives and we entrust them to God. We hold those whose hearts are…
Today is the beginning of Diwali, the Festival of Lights which is traditionally celebrated by the Hindu religion, but also by Sikhs and Jains. It is a festival which symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali…
It was an honour and a privilege to participate in the event on Monday, 17th October to mark UN Eradication of Poverty Day 2022 at the Poverty Stone, and to hear so many people of courage share their stories of struggle and hope with such…
As we mark another International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we are proud to support @ATDIreland and the work they are doing to #EndPoverty – more vital now than ever. Click on the image below to view a short powerful film released…
With Summer well and truly over, we can see the rhythm of the year move towards shorter days and an autumnal feel in the air. Despite the change in the weather, many people find Autumn an uplifting time of year, perhaps because of the wonderful…
Today is the feast of St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and nature. St Francis choose to leave a life of wealth and prosperity and came to see every part of creation, every creature, plant, element and person as his family. He understood…
We are holding a Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday, 12 November 2022 from10am – 1.00pm Register your interest in taking a table by contacting: e: info@macfd.ie | t: 017979364
Happy Rosh Hashanah to our Jewish friends. May this new year be filled with abundant blessings for you. Read more here
Thursday, 22 September is World Car Free Day 2022. With carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases being the major causes of global warming, this day brings awareness to what we can all do to help the environment and to the benefits of using cars less…
The Season of Creation is marked throughout the Christian world each year from 1 September until the feast of St Francis of Assisi on 4 October. It celebrates the joy of creation as well as encouraging awareness-raising initiatives to protect the natural environment. Drawing inspiration…
Click on the link below to view some of the events coming up this Autumn at the Margaret Aylward Centre. You can book here on our website – or call us on 01 7979364 or email info@macfd.ie 2022 AW Brochure
As we approach the end of the summer break, we have been reflecting on some of the great things that happened in the Centre over the past few months. We are so grateful for your support and friendship and are looking forward to seeing many…
Have you any unwanted wool in your cupboard? All wool used for the benefit of others to arrange drop off contact the centre. From September | Tuesday – Friday | 10.30am – 3.00pm Tel: 017979364 | Mobile: 087 6649862 | Email: info@macfd.ie
Happy St Patrick’s Day from the Margaret Aylward Centre. As we celebrate the feast day of our national patron saint, there is value in reflecting on the relevance of Patrick’s story for us in 2022. Patrick’s journey was one of separation, imprisonment, slavery and fear….
During a General Audience address on Wednesday, 23 February, Pope Francis invited everyone to make Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting for Peace in Ukraine. “And now I would like to appeal to everyone, believers and non-believers alike. Jesus taught us that the diabolical senselessness…
In the run up to World Day of Social Justice on 20th February, ATD Ireland, the Christian Brothers and Presentation Sisters collaborated with the Margaret Aylward Centre to create a series of workshops highlighting the Hidden Dimensions of Poverty. These workshops were hosted in the…
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, marking the arrival of the Magi, or Wise Men to worship – and recognise – the infant Jesus as the Incarnation of the Divine. It is a feast which for many people marks the ‘end’ of Christmas,…
Dear Friends, As we journey towards Christmas, the days continue to get darker and the darkness of uncertainty and fear seems to be deeper than ever. But we journey towards a promise, the promise of a Light which will come into the world, which the…
“In winter I get up at night
And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer quite the other way,
I have to go to bed by day
I have to go to bed to see,
The birds still hopping on the tree,
or hear the grown up peoples feet,
still going past me on the street.
And does it not seem hard to you,
When all teh sky is clear and blue,
And I should like so much to play,
To have to go to bed by day?”
