Special Harvest Festival as St Martin de Porres Church celebrates 50 years

A “GREAT sense of community” was felt at a special Harvest Festival at the weekend as St Martin de Porres Parish celebrated 50 years.

The harvest festival was held at St Martin’s Church in Old Bawn after The Vine Group invited the parish to host it this year. It took place from Friday to Sunday and included multiple free community events for families to enjoy.

The Vine Group is a not-for-profit community group based in Tallaght that was formed by parishioners from local churches in 2009 and has grown to deliver performances and events throughout the local area.

An opening ceremony kicking things off at St Martin’s Church on the first evening, and music, food and animals followed on the Saturday at the grounds of the church with the annual Blessing of Animals in the courtyard that morning before a concert and food fair in the church and pastoral rooms in the afternoon.

The church rounded off the weekend’s activities with a closing ceremony mass on Sunday afternoon, with further entertainment after.

Parish Priest Father James Daly noted that it was “wonderful” to see the variety of clubs and groups active in the parish area, as well as other parts of Tallaght.

Fr Daly said: “Over the weekend it was wonderful to witness and experience the great sense of community, not just here in St Martin’s, but in partnership with the other Parishes in our area.

“It was also wonderful to witness the variety of clubs and groups active in our parish and beyond.”

Pet owners lined up on Saturday Pet owners lined up on Saturday Indian dancing and ballroom dancing was also on display, with captivating performances by community members.

At the food fair, Indian, Filipino, and Irish created a strong array of options for the attendees to taste and enjoy.

The church, dedicated to St Martin de Porres, was officially opened and blessed by Archbishop Dermot Ryan on December 12, 1976.

St Martin’s will mark its 50th anniversary on Sunday, December 13, with a special Thanksgiving Mass celebrated by Archbishop Dermot Farrell.

“We have all been working together in the vineyard of the Lord.  This is a time when the catholic church in Ireland is filled with hope and here in St Martin’s we are about building hope.

“Across the country people are still gathering for prayer, worship and fellowship. It has been happening here in the Parish of St Martin’s for the last 50 years and with the help of God will continue to happen in the years ahead.”