While John Henry Newman is regarded as the most English of saints, his story is intimately connected to Ireland. It is perhaps inevitable that any consideration of Newman and Ireland would centre on his time spent as rector of the Catholic University of Ireland, but I would like to begin by considering the university church built for Newman in Dublin during his time as rector there.

Throughout my time at the Birmingham Oratory, I have given tours of the Oratory church. While many come to see Newman’s church, the reality is that the present Newman Memorial Church was rebuilt after his death and the church he knew was a much smaller, simpler structure. It is with no small pleasure that I, as a native Dubliner, can say that if you wish to see a church which Newman built you will have to cross the Irish Sea and visit the University Church on St Stephen’s Green in Dublin.