It’s the time of reckoning for the sunflower seeds given out in church on Rogation Sunday (May 6). Prizes for the tallest plant and for the largest flower will be awarded at the Outdoor Service and Barbecue this Sunday, September 2nd at 12 noon (please note later time for service). All welcome to the service and barbecue; there is no fee but small donations towards defraying costs welcome on the day.
 Parishoners are invited to forward their sunflowers’ measurements (height of plant and diameter of flower -metric or imperial) to the Rector at garydowd@eircom.net on or before this Friday, August 31st.  If your plant is very tall please be careful when measuring it!  (And if it’s in a pot, measure from the soil up.) You may wish to send a photograph as well. And if you have a story to share about your adventures with the sunflower seeds since May you may like to include that in your email.
 Meanwhile, continuing the eco theme and with the bonus of a later starting time for the morning service, we have designated this Sunday Walk/Cycle to Church Sunday – so everybody is being asked to try to leave the car at home if at all possible.

It’s a shame it is generally not possible to have the church open except for services. But during National Heritage Week, thanks to the parishoners who have volunteered  to supervise, it will be open 2pm-4pm daily from Monday, August 20th until the following  Saturday. This will not only give visitors a chance to step in and have a wander around, it is also a chance for parishoners to come and take a closer look at the 150th anniversary school projects, or, indeed, parts of the building you don’t normally stop to look at. All welcome – tell your friends and neighbours. Leaflets giving a brief history of the church are available inside the front door.

To facilitate the Dun Laoghaire Ironman Triathlon this coming Sunday morning, August 19th, many roads in the vicinity of the church will be closed temporarily (times vary) so it could be very difficult to attend church, especially at 10.30am.  (Selected road closures and times which may impact our parishioners most: Glenageary Road Lower 6.30am-9.30am; Sallyglen (from Graduate roundabout to Upper Glenageary roundabout) 6.30am-2 pm; Avondale Road, Glenageary Road Upper and Adelaide Road 9am-2pm.  Also many roads near the centre of Dun Laoghaire; see dirocco.ie/news/ironman-703  for further details.  Local access may be possible if you are walking!  The service at 10.30 am will go ahead as usual. But if you prefer to wait until the evening, there will be a service at 7pm too.