The Dublin city parishes of Halston Street and Aran Quay are reunited.
Founded nearly 900 years ago Halston Street is the oldest parish in Dublin city. Parishioners have been told that the population of the area is now too small to justify it being an individual parish. The decision has been taken to merge it with the parish of Aran Quay. The new amalgamated parish will still be a relatively small parish by Dublin standards with a population of just six thousand people.
By joining the two, it is hoped to bring about a greater sense of community.
The parish includes the market area and is one of the most historic districts in the city. Aran Quay parish was originally formed from Halston Street parish in 1707 and now will be part of it again. The impact of the amalgamation will mean that the number of priests in the combined parishes will be halved from eight to four. The number of masses in the two churches will be reduced from 13 to seven.
Many people have now moved out of the city centre to suburban housing estates. Parish Priest Fr John O'Sullivan said that the priests must go where the people are.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 8 September 1974.
