The house is one of hospitality, and the Brothers are delighted to welcome visitors to join them at meals. In particular, relatives of the Brothers, past-pupils of the schools, and members of the wider Edmund Rice Network (ERN), including Timirí, are encouraged to visit.
Edmund Rice House, North Richmond Street, has traditionally been the residence of the Brothers connected with O’Connell Schools. In common with most religious orders, the Christian Brothers in recent years have suffered a decrease in membership, at least in this part of the world. In Africa and India, however, large numbers are still joining. Because of the age profile in Ireland it was decided to renovate the Brothers’ House at O’Connell’s as a suitable residence for older Irish Brothers who are still quite active and are not yet in need of nursing home care. In early 2012 the whole house was given a facelift, inside and out. A new community of 12 Brothers arrived in Summer 2012.
The house now has 18 upgraded bedrooms of which a few are reserved for visitors from the Brothers’ missions overseas or for those who may have medical appointments in Dublin. The house is one of hospitality, and the Brothers are delighted to welcome visitors to join them at meals. In particular, relatives of the Brothers, past-pupils of the schools, and members of the wider Edmund Rice Network (ERN), including Timirí, are encouraged to visit.
The facilities of the House are made available to parish, school and voluntary groups in the local area. The facilities include a conference hall, a chapel, a coffee dock, and smaller meeting rooms. The House is also host to the Edmund Rice Development, a fund-raising organisation for the Brothers’ overseas missions, and to the Allen Library, a research library founded by the late Brother William Allen. Members of the community help out in various roles in the local parishes of North William Street and Gardiner Street, in prayer groups, in sacramental preparation in O’Connell Primary School, in the teaching of English to migrants in the secondary school, in second chance education at the Life Centre at Pearse Street, in secretarial and research roles at the Province Centre at Marino, and in various activities organised for Christian Brothers who reside in the Dublin area. For example, Fitness for Life classes are provided for about 30 Brothers every Wednesday, followed by a midday meal. Blessed Edmund Rice lived in the House 1831-1838, and the Brothers are delighted to point out the historical features of the House to visitors. Br Pat Madigan is the Community Leader, and nothing delights him more than Edmund Rice House being of service to others.
Donal Blake cfc
Timirí 