On the 100th anniversary of St. Patrick’s Church in Ringsend, local man Jimmy Purdy offers some personal memories of his church-going years.

Hunt Bros was an off licence and provisions shop at the corner of Grand Canal Street. During 1947-8, I worked here as a messenger boy , delivering goods to the local community, which took in South Lotts, Bath Avenue and out as far as Sandymount.

Noel Purcell was my most famous customer and his wife always gave me three pence when I delivered. This got me into the Regal Cinema for two pence with a penny left for sweets.

My last job was at Belvedere College doing security. I am retired now and as I am often in Ringsend, I sometimes get mass at St. Patrick’s Church on Saturday evening. Having arrived early one Saturday, I looked around the church and began to wander back in time.

On the left, as you come in the front door is a statue of St. Joseph (the worker). I thought of all the workers who would have lit a penny candle and said a prayer to him. Men and women who crossed the Liffey to get to work, some carrying huge big shovels to unload coal boats and other cargo.

Directly across from Joseph is St. Patrick. What a great honour to have your parish church named after the national saint. I think of our young days at school learning the hymn, ‘Hail Glorious St. Patrick’ and belting it out on 17th March. As I moved down the left side passing the Stations of the Cross, I wondered who painted the stations and how beautiful they looked.

Soon you arrive at everyone’s friend, St. Anthony, holding the child Jesus. I am certain everyone has a story to tell of favours obtained while shedding all their worries here. If this statue could talk, it would tell many a good story.

I am now at the pulpit, which is an impressive piece of workmanship (so many other churches mistakenly removed theirs). The pulpit is in memory of Rev. Canon Mooney P.P. who worked in the district for 50 years.

Marble altar rails are still in place and add to the beauty of this lovely church. The original altar still remains and at each side stands an angel and either side of the window are pictures of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

The right side of the church always housed the crib at Christmas. As children, we would make a visit here at least once a day. We looked forward to the day when we could afford the penny to light a candle at the crib.

In between the two confession boxes stands Our Lady, where I lit many a penny candle to ask for favours. I was delighted when once a favour was answered.

On the left side of the church and looking towards the back, I could picture a packed church for the Monday night novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. As kids, we would already have booked our tickets for the second showing of The Regal. As the novena finished, we would rush round to the back street to get in.

Also looking back, the beautiful organ is no longer there. I always marvelled at the organist’s ability to play such a complicated-looking instrument.

Standing in front of the beautiful stained glass window, I see Jesus on the Cross, Mary his mother under the cross and flanked on either side by St. Patrick and I think St. Bridget.

If you have fifteen or twenty minutes to spare, call into the Church of St. Patrick, Ringsend. It might bring back some nice memories for you.