Historical Introduction
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Christianity has a long history in Howth. On Ireland's Eye there is a ruin of a small chapel originally built in 530AD where St. Nessan and his three sons worshipped and lived. It is believed that the three sons wrote the Garland of Howth - a Latin manuscript of the New Testament. The book is now housed in the library of Trinity College, Dublin.
The first church built in Howth was on the site of Howth Abbey, in Howth Village. It was founded by Sigtrygg, King of Dublin around 1042. Around 1235, the old church was amalgamated with the church on Ireland's Eye and a new church was built - founded by Luke, Archbishop of Dublin on land granted by Sir Almeric St. Lawrence. Little remains of either of these churches and most of the present abbey dates back to the late forteenth century. The church was a collegiate church - served by a collegium of three or more priests. A private house to the south-east of the church was the priests' house. Parishioners worshipped in the abbey until about 1630. After that date worship was conducted in Lord Howth's private chapel near his castle.
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The Present Church
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| In 1816 the first church on our present site was built. This was replaced by the our present church in 1866 when it was consecrated by Richard Chenevix Trench, Archbishop of Dublin. The building (shown below) is in the style of a thirteenth century English church and was designed and built by J.E. Rogers and William Doolin respectively.
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The Reredos
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| In the centre of the reredos is a lamb with a cross depicting Christ and above him the dove symbolising the Holy Spirit. The designs include "A" - alpha and "W" - omega -omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet ("I am the alpha and the omega" Rev1,8). Also depicted are the "fleur- de-lis", the chiro, and the IHS (the first three letters of the name of Jesus in Greek). The reredos was given in 1910 in memory of James Hawkins and his wife.
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The Windows
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The East Window:
This is reckoned to be one of the finest windows in the Diocese of Dublin. Designed and executed by James Powell & Sons of London in 1910, it was given in memory of the fourth Earl of Howth, Sir William Ulick Tristam St. Lawrence.
The window depicts "Christ the healer of mankind". Christ occupies the eye of the window and is represented crowned and extending his hands - inviting all to come. The invitation to his sacrement for healing is vivid. The inscription above the figure of Christ reads " He healeth those who are broken in heart, and giveth medicine to heal their sickness" "Great is the Lord and great is His power, yea, and His wisdom is infinite". From the base of the central light grows the rose tree, meant to remind us of the quotation from Revelation "The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations" (Rev.22,2).
On either sides are saints who have, in their lives, extended Christ's healing power. On the left you can see the three great Irish saints - St. Patrick, St. Brigid and St. Columba and kneeling below them is St. Nessan holding the Garland of Howth. On the right hand side you can see some of the saints connected with the St. Lawrence family - St. Lawrence, St. Nicholas and St. Christopher with St. Fintan kneeling in front with a model of his church.
Below the figure of Christ it is interesting to note the local feature of a picture of Howth Abbey (where the late Earl is buried) and behind this the west pier of Howh.
The coat of arms in the bottom left is the fourth Earl of Howth's coat of arms and in the bottom right is his father's, which bears the motto "Qui panse" meaning "which heals" in old Norman French. Sir Amoricus Tristam, ancestor of the Earl of Howth, recieved his title after the battle of Evora, fought on the ground where the church now stands. Being wounded in battle and seeing a dog-rose near by, he asked for the petals to be put into his wounds, which, he said, would heal him; hence the family motto - "Qui panse".
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Window 2 Fortitude:
This small window depicts the virtue of "fortitude". The window is the work of Ethel Rind of Dublin in 1910 and is in memory of Henry MacDougall and his sister Henrietta.
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Window 3 Miacles:
Beside the baptismal font, this window by Evie Hone, illustrates the Miracles of Jesus. It was placed here in 1943 in memory of Rt. Hon Andrew Jameson.
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Window 4 Faith, Charity and Hope:
This is the work of A.E. Hope of Dublin in 1905. A.E. Child was a pupil of Christopher Whall (1849-1924) who was a leading figure in the English Arts and Crafts movement. He set up An Tur Gloine (Tower of Glass) in Dublin. This was a studio set up to encourage Irish artists st the beginning of the twentieth century and Sarah Purser was the administrator.
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Window 5 Sacrifice, Victory and Duty:
This is another of Ethel Rind's windows and is dedicated to all those who lost their lives in the great war. It was executed in 1920 and depicts St. Killian (sacrifice), St. Micheal (victory) andSt. George (duty).
A Roll of Honour listing all those from the parish who died in the Great War (1914-1918) can be found in the church porch on the north wall. In all some 94 names are listed giving us a poignant reminder of the effect of the Great War on the village of Howth.
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Window 6 Baptism:
This window in memory of former rector Rev Canon H.J.L. Armstrong, was placed beside the font before the font was moved to the front of the church. The window depicts the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist and the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch by Philip (Acts 8, 38). This window is the work of Catherine O'Brien of Dublin in 1961.
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Window 7 St. Mary:
Appropriately for our side chapel, this window depicts Mary with the Holy Spirit hovering above her. It was placed here in 1973 in memory of Hugh Usher and his son Howard.
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The Side Chapel
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The font was moved from its site at the back of the church in 1992 for two reasons; Liturgically there is a greater emphasis on the congregation being able to see and participate in a baptism nowadays and secondly by moving the font it left an area available for use as a side chapel. We use this chapel when there is a small congregation e.g. celebrations of Holy Communion on Saint's days. This chapel was dedicated on All Saint's day 1992, To the glory of God and in loving memory of all the faithfully departed especially those who have worshipped in St. Mary's in the past years. This chapel serves to remind us that many generations of faithful worshippers have contributed to the atmosphere of prayer and worship in St. Mary's. The Holy table of Irish oak came from Rahan church, Co. Offaly. Rahan church closed some years ago and we are most grateful for their gift to us.
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