Our Mission:

Telling the Story of Edmund Rice, sharing the Vision and nurturing the Response.

At the Centre:

• we welcome all who wish to link with the Edmund Rice Network
• we plan and support activities that promote the vision of Edmund Rice
• we seek to build good communications across the Network
• we manage and develop Network services and projects
• we produce and distribute Edmund Rice resources and publications

The following programmes are organised and co-ordinated from the Centre:

• Edmund Rice Awards
• Edmund Rice Summer Camps
• Developing World Immersion Programme for Students & Teachers
• Voluntary Service Programme for the 18 – 25 age range
• Network Communication

The Centre is home to a community of Christian Brothers as it has been since 1831.

Acting Director:
Mr Michael Foster
Tel: 01-8196781
Email: eroffice@eircom.net

The Centre serves as a hub for the Edmund Rice Network:

• providing formal and informal meeting spaces for the various groups within the Network
• it offers a gathering point for Network friends, associates and visitors
• emphasis is placed on hospitality and belonging

Within the Centre there is:

• an impressive Conference Hall with space to accommodate up to 70 people
• an oratory for prayer and reflection
• a boardroom suitable for smaller group meetings
• and an attractive dining area

The facilities are available for use by any group and can be booked through Reception.

Visitors are Welcome

• As one of Edmund Rice's early foundations in Dublin, the Centre is an important heritage and visitor site.
• The house was the first Generalate and Novitiate of the Christian Brothers.
• Edmund Rice himself lived here from 1831-1838.
• The beautifully renovated Oratory in the Centre is the original room where Edmund prayed and where the early brothers made their vows.
• The Conference Hall with its decorated vaulted ceiling retains many unique features of its initial purpose as the Chapel built for the growing community in 1856.
• The Centre's dining area was the Community Room in the original house and the first two historic Chapters of the early religious congregation took place here also.
• On the second floor, Edmund’s bedroom, containing many artefacts from his time, is set aside as a place of pilgrimage.
• The Director's office with its high glass bookcases was added in 1856 as a Library.
• The valuable books from these early days are still retained in the Allen Library.
• The grandfather clock on the stairs was bought by Edmund, himself, in 1831. For 110 years it summoned the brothers to community activities and school and has occupied its present position on the stairs since 1941.
• The Centre's Reception area is located in the parlour dedicated to Edmund’s great friend, Daniel O’Connell. In this room and in other key areas of the Centre, visitors can read the history of the foundation and early days of the Christian Brothers’ ministry.

Allen Library

The building is also the location of the Allen Library and its basement area houses many works of great historical significance.