Heritage: History of the Holy Faith Congregation
The Holy Faith Sisters tell their founding story and outline the central ethos of their schools. Click here to view
Rooms
Events Room
The Events Room is our main conference area. It can be closed to create a bright square room that holds up to 40 theatre style, with built in projector and sound system. One wall opens to create a larger space holding up to 60 if needed. This space is accessed by a ramp with a patio to the lawn outside.
This room often hosts training classes, discussion groups, school retreats, board meetings and retreat weekends.
Theatre Space
Central to the downstairs space is a comfortable area for presentations, break out groups or refreshments. Round tables and chairs make this a relaxing space for small groups or breaks. The beautiful panels can be closed to create a wonderful auditory space for films or online presentations.
Sacred Space
The Sacred Space is our reflective space upstairs with magnificent views across Glasnevin and Dublin. An oval shaped space, it holds up to 20 comfortably and has projector available if needed.
This space often hosts yoga and pilates classes, spiritual reflection evenings, Taize prayer, planning and discussion meetings and training courses.
Meeting Room 1
This room lends itself to small groups engaged in planning or development. Its calm atmosphere makes it an ideal space for small committee meetings and interviews.
Meeting Room 2
This beautiful, well-lit room lends itself to group work or reflection for 6-8 people.
The glass windows on two sides, allows the surrounding mature trees to enhance the space and contribute to a peaceful and thoughtful atmosphere.
Catering
We do not offer in house catering but are happy to offer tea/coffee/biscuits which can be booked in advance. Some groups arrange outside catering for lunch, others have participants bring in lunch – we are happy to work with groups as they book.
Access
There is free parking adjacent to the centre with a drop-off zone.
The centre is wheel-chair accessible throughout and is equipped with a hearing loop on both floors.
Wi-fi is available throughout the centre.
Christian Meditation
Christian Meditation in the John Main ‘School’ with David Ellison.
Every Thursday at 7.30pm | To book: Tel: 01 797 9364 | 087 664 9862
Spiritual Library
We have books available for use while spending some quiet time in our centre or for borrowing on a fortnightly basis. Contact centre for details.
For a sample of the books we hold click here.
Walking the Grounds
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.
Rates & How to Book
For further information, to book or discuss current rates – please email director@macfd.ie
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News
Thank You For Your Support
With the longer days and glorious sunshine, the summer is in full swing, and for many people, life has taken on a more leisurely pace. Here at the Centre as we prepare for our annual August closure, we are conscious of the wonderful support we…
Pope Leo XIV Begins His Papal Journey
On Friday, 8 May, white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signalling to the world that the College of Cardinals has chosen a new leader for the Catholic Church. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an Augustinian friar from the United States, has been…
2024 Newsletter “Awakening” – Issue 4
Immerse yourself in the latest edition of our Newsletter “Awakening” – Issue 4, available for you to read here (Click the page turner on bottom right corner of cover) Click on an image of a flyer to be redirected to the website booking page for…
A Musical Evening at the Margaret Aylward Centre
On Wednesday 17th April, the Margaret Aylward Centre was filled with music and song, courtesy of the Holy Faith Past Pupils Choir under the direction of Marie Dunne CHF. Ciaran Coll, a staff member from St Mary’s Girls Holy Faith Secondary School and friend of…
Happy St Patrick’s Day 2024
As we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, we’re reminded of his remarkable journey, filled with challenges that still resonate today. From captivity to freedom, his story teaches us about resilience and faith. Just as Patrick shared hope in a land unfamiliar with Christianity, we’re encouraged to…
10 Year Anniversary at The Centre
10 year Anniversary of the Margaret Aylward Centre: This special occasion coincided with the feast of St Brigid. Brigid became a woman of special significance to Margaret Aylward and the Holy Faith sisters, bringing light and hope to many in darkness and dedicating her…
Feast of St. Brigid
Today, on the feast of St. Brigid, we reflect on the legacy of this renowned female saint who passed away 1500 years ago. Born near Faughart in Co Louth, Brigid’s deep commitment to her Christian faith is closely tied to her association with Kildare, where…
2024 Spring Summer at the Centre
Click on the link below to view some of the events coming up this Autumn at the Margaret Aylward Centre. 2024 Spring – Summer Brochure You can book here on our website – or call us on 01 7979364 or email info@macfd.ie
Happy Christmas 2023
Wishing each one Hope, Peace and Joy. Read our Newsletter – Awakening 10 here Events at the centre click here
Empowered by Faith: Honouring Margaret Aylward’s Legacy
“We can do but little but we will strive to do that little, trusting in God for a better future.” Margaret Aylward. 23rd November is the 213th anniversary of the birth of Margaret Aylward, (1810-1889) foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Faith and…
Celebrating Laudate Deum – Pope Francis
October 4th marks the end of the Season of Creation but this year, it also marks the publication by Pope Francis of a sequel to Laudato Si’, the title of which is Laudate Deum. The timing of this publication might be interpreted as a signal…
Culture Night at the Margaret Aylward Centre
Theme: “Glasnevin – Looking Back, Looking Forward.” Experience a brief visit to Glasnevin House, a guided walk in the grounds, music from St Mary’s Holy Faith Secondary School and some Telescope Time with the Irish Astronomical Society. 22.09.2023 | Session 1: 5.15 – 7.00pm | Session…
Christmas Craft Fair
The Margaret Aylward Centre will be hosting our annual Christmas Craft Fair in the Centre on Saturday, 18th November 2023 | 10am-1pm. To book a table at the craft fair, please email info@macfd.ie or call the Centre on 017979364.
14 July – Feast Day of St Kateri Tekakwitha
Friday, 14 July is the feast of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha is the patron saint of traditional ecology, Indigenous Peoples, and care for creation. Born into the Mohawk in Upstate New York in the middle of the 17th Century, she lost her family when she was…
Laudato Si’ Week: 21 – 28 May 2023
Laudato Si’ Week 2023 runs from Sunday, 21 – 28 May and this year the theme is “Hope for the Earth, Hope for Humanity.” In the past week it has been widely reported that we will reach the critical tipping point of 1.5⁰C increase in…
Newsletter – Awakening Issue 5
Grab a cup of tea, find a cozy spot, and immerse yourself in the latest edition of Awakening – Issue 5, available for you to read here (Click the page turner on bottom right corner of cover) Click on an image of a flyer to…
Earth Day
Image: `Earthrise` was taken on Christmas Eve 1968 from Apollo 8 by William Anders. Saturday, 22 April is World Earth Day – a day when we especially reflect on the precious gift of the Creator and on our call to be stewards of it. We…
Happy Eid Mubarak!
A time for celebration, reflection, and gratitude marking the end of and the beginning of a new month. Appreciate blessings and pray for those who are less fortunate. May this Eid bring peace, happiness, and prosperity to all. #eidmubarak #Ramadan
2023 Newsletter – Awakening 4
As April arrives, we feel the arrival of Spring. Life is re-emerging and it’s hard not to feel the positive effects of this season. Be inspired to embrace the energy, beauty, sounds and colour around us! Read our Newsletter “Awakening – Issue 4” here
Embrace Equity – International Women’s Day 2023
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…
A Spiritual Journey
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 Maltese artist who has been living in Ireland…
Beannachtaí Lá Fhéile Bríghid Oraibh go Léir!
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…
Holocaust Memorial Day 2023 – Ordinary People
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…
2023 Newsletter – Awakening 1
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…
New Book: Responding to Child Poverty in Dublin: John Gowan CM, 1817-1897
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…
Happy Christmas
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 – Festival of Lights
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…
Newsletter – Awakening 9
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
112th Anniversary of Margaret Aylward’s Birthday
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…
Thought of the Week
“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 the sky is clear and blue,
And I should like so much to play,
To have to go to bed by day?”