Easter Sunday services to go ahead at Christ Church Cathedral

Easter Sunday services will now go ahead at Dublin's Christ Church Cathedral following consultations between the Government, the Garda and Church of Ireland authorities.

Last month it was announced such services were being cancelled at Christ Church and other city centre Church of Ireland parishes due to traffic restrictions imposed because of the 1916 centenary parade.

In a statement last night Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin Michael Jackson and senior clergy said they were "pleased to report that Christ Church Cathedral will open for worship on Easter Day".

The Eucharist will be celebrated at the cathedral at 10am with clergy, staff and congregation allowed through the security cordon to park near the cathedral. A shuttle bus will bring them from there to the building.

In addition, at noon on Easter Sunday the cathedral will use a special bilingual liturgy to commemorate 1916.

“During this service, as the parade is passing the cathedral, the congregation will pray for the country and its leaders and remember those who died during the Rising,” the statement said.

Arrangements for an alternative service for Christ Church Cathedral in Sandford parish church at 10am remain in place. St Catherine’s Church on Thomas Street will have its usual Easter Sunday service.

However, there will be no Easter Sunday services at St Ann’s and St Stephen’s on Dawson Street, at St Werburgh’s and St Michan’s, at St George’s and St Thomas’s on Cathal Brugha Street, or at St Audoen’s Church on Cornmarket. Arrangements have been made in each case for Easter Sunday services outside the city centre area.