Dear Parishioners/Friends of Rathmines,

I would like to bring to your attention that the National Transport Authority (NTA) have made an application to An Bord Pleanála for approval of the proposed Templeogue/Rathfarnham to city centre bus corridor. NTA documentation may be viewed and downloaded at www.templeoguerathfarnhamscheme.ie. Submissions/observations on this scheme may be made up to 5pm on 20^th June 2023 online at www.pleanala.ie/en-ie/observations or by post to An Bord Pleanála (Strategic Infrastructure Division), 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1.

In terms of Rathmines, the impact of this proposal may be dramatic especially for those who live here. The Church of Mary Immaculate Refuge of Sinners Rathmines is 200 years old this year – that’s 200 years serving this local community. The proposal of a ‘Bus Gate’ at St. Mary’s School on Rathmines Road Lower would mean no through inbound or outbound traffic except for bus, bicycles, and taxies. This would directly impact on all our parishioners and friends who attend Church in Rathmines.

On a very practical level it would mean that no cars could access our Church and obviously funerals, weddings, baptisms, and all other celebrations would be directly impacted in a negative way. The elderly, invalids, and those with mobility issues, would be impacted negatively too.

Let me put it simply, as the proposal currently stands it would be a disaster for this Parish Church and without any exaggeration could lead to an impoverishment of the services we provide as well as the Church becoming redundant over time.

As you may know, I am completely over stretched, and don’t have time to oppose this on my own. So, I am asking all of you who are parishioners or friends of Rathmines, to please take a look at the proposal and please, please do not sit on your hands, but rather help us by actively objecting to this proposal in whatever way or form you feel is appropriate for you. Our politicians and public representatives should also be made aware of your concerns or objections. I am expressing no view on the Bus Corridor, but rather on the ‘Bus Gate’ proposal which has made no allowances for us to function as a Church.

I thank you for your assistance.

Fr Andrew O’Sullivan PP
Rathmines Parish