The Iona Centre is the pastoral centre of the parish. The official opening ceremony took place in June 2000, presided over by Bishop Eamonn Walsh. The main purpose of the Centre is to accommodate the meetings and workings of the numerous parish committee and groups, to facilitate appropriate courses to meet the needs in the area, and to rent out accommodation for external conferences and seminars.

The Centre is managed by Bernie Rossney, the Director, along with the Management Committee (Michael Buckley, Gerry Pounch, Mary Prendergast, and Fr Jimmy Murray, PP).

The amenities include: a large Assembly Room, a Small Assembly Room, Meeting Rooms, and a series of smaller rooms. The larger rooms accommodate groups from 20 to 60 people, with the smaller rooms being more appropriate for counselling sessions and small group meetings. The Centre also has a Quiet Room, particularly suited to the pursuit of activities such as Yoga, Retreats for schools or groups, Meditation, and Spiritual Courses.

Since its opening, the Iona Centre has become the focal point of the parish. It is a hive of activity from Autumn to Summer with a multitude of courses and activities. There is a great sense of community about the place and a warm friendly atmosphere. In addition there is an enclosed garden – a veritable oasis of tranquillity in the midst of all the bustle.

A full schedule of courses is organised twice a year – September and January. Many of the courses are organised in response to the demands and needs of the community, and invariably there is a wide choice. Local groups use the Iona Centre as their base and regular activities include History Society lectures, Lectio Divinia, and Bridge.

The Rathfarnham Health Clinic hold a Baby Clinic and Toddler Clinic in the Centre on Tuesday and Thursday respectively.

And if you just want a break from it all, there’s the Coffee Shop. Open from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm, Monday to Friday.

Artwork in the Centre

St Colmcille's Monastery on the Island of Iona
Presented to the Iona Centre by Maurice O'Boyle in May 2003. The painting is dedicated to the memory of Maurice's (and Knocklyon's) good friend, Fr Arthur Fitzpatrick, who passed away in September 2001. A true labour of love, the painting was completed by Maurice after he suffered a stroke and heart attack which necessitated a hospital stay of eighteen months. Maurice himself passed away in 2005 and the painting now hangs in the foyer of the Iona Centre.

Wall Hangings

A set of wall hangings was commissioned for the Iona Centre in 2003. Just recently completed and installed, each of the hangings illustrates a spiritual theme. The first is seen as you go into the Centre on the opposite wall to main entrance - "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed ...". Another can be seen in the large assembly room - "The end of all our exploring ...". and the third hangs in the Quiet Room - "Like the deer that yearns for running streams ...".

The hangings are the work of Helen O'Keeffe, Visual Artist.

Check out what’s on this week at the Iona Centre