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BOTH ARE JOINED BY A SHORT LANE
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The Haven and Church Avenue
The Haven and Church Avenue are joined by a short lane, which I took as I walked from St Mobhi Road to Ballymun Avenue. I had hoped to visit St Mobhi’s Church from Church Avenue, but the gates were locked. I later discovered that the gates are usually locked and only open for Sunday morning services.
St Mobhi’s Church
St Mobhi’s is a modest Church of Ireland church nestled within an enclosed graveyard off Ballymun Road. Built in phases to serve the growing Protestant community, it stands on the site of an early medieval church. The nave was constructed in 1707, adjoining a pre-existing tower. In the nineteenth century, the south aisle and chancel were added under the supervision of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.
The building’s architecture reflects its historical development, with evidence of gradual additions over time. It holds social significance as a place of worship for the local Church of Ireland community and as a burial ground for both Catholics and Protestants.
The surrounding churchyard, steeped in history, further enhances the site. Its boundary features and gates create a sense of tranquillity, reminiscent of the area’s past as a rural village, now a densely developed part of Dublin. The church is dedicated to St. Mobhi, who founded a monastery in the sixth century that formed the nucleus of the early settlement of Glasnevin.
The Former Model School on Church Avenue
The former model school on Church Avenue was put up for auction on 6th November 2018. Described as a ‘magnificent opportunity for redevelopment’ in a ‘prime residential and commercial location’, the building was owned by the Office of Public Works (OPW) at the time, and it appears to remain in their ownership.
Originally opened in 1847, the school served generations of Glasnevin residents. It was one of the first schools established after Catholic Emancipation, as part of the ‘model system’ that later floundered.
The building continued to operate as a national school under various names, including Sacred Heart National School. Most recently, it housed the Glasnevin Educate Together National School until January 2017, when they relocated to a purpose-built school on Griffith Avenue. The entire site encompasses over 16 hectares, bordered by Bon Secours Hospital and adjacent to Met Éireann HQ.
Additional Information:
St Mobhi’s Church: Historical records indicate that the tower may actually date back to the 14th century and was restored in the 17th century. The churchyard is the final resting place of several notable figures, including members of the Guinness family.
Former Model School: The model system aimed to provide non-denominational education, but it faced opposition from both Catholic and Protestant churches and ultimately failed. The building’s prolonged vacancy and potential redevelopment highlight the challenges of balancing preservation with contemporary needs in a changing urban landscape.