The Church of Ireland
News Briefing

The Dublin City Manager, Mr John Fitzgerald, officially opened an exhibition in the Dublin Civic Museum dedicated to Dublin's three cathedrals. Entitled "Three Steps to Heaven" the exhibition seeks to illustrate aspects of the history, liturgy, events and personalities associated with Christ Church, St Mary's Pro-Cathedral and St Patrick's.

The exhibition has been devised and curated by the staff of the Representative Church Body Library which is the Church of Ireland's principal reference library and archives. The archives of Christ Church and St Patrick's have largely been transferred to the Library and the exhibition draws on these important resources. The ready cooperation of the staff of the Pro-Cathedral has broadened the scope of the exhibition and archives and artefacts from Marlborough Street have added immeasurably to the display. Additional material from the Dublin City Archives, Dublin Diocesan Archives and the Irish Architectural Archive is also included in the exhibition.

Among the personalities who are featured in the exhibition are Strongbow, Jonathan Swift, Archbishop Troy and Daniel O'Connell. Some of the events which are recalled are the first performance of Handel's Messiah, the foundation of the Knights of St Patrick and the funeral of Michael Collins. However, the exhibition is essentially an introduction and its principal function is to encourage visitors and native Dubliners alike to visit Dublin's cathedrals whether as tourists, worshippers or just to find a moment of peace and quiet in what is now a very busy city.

"Three Steps to Heaven" is in the Dublin Civic Museum, 58 South William Street (beside the Powerscourt Town House), Dublin 2 and is open 10.00-6.00, Tuesday to Saturday, and 11.00-2.00 on Sundays until mid-September. Admission is free.

Rev Dr Dudley Levingstone-Cooney (Methodist Church), Mr Mark Bowyer (Manager, Christ Church Cathedral), Mr Fred Deane (Verger, Christ Church Cathedral), Rev Roy Byrne (Curate, Christ Church Cathedral Group)	Dr Muriel MacCarthy (Curator & Librarian, Marsh's Library), The Very Rev John Delaney (Administrator of St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral), The Very Rev Dr RB MacCarthy (Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral), Ms Susan Seager (The Office of Public Works).
Dr Raymond Refaussé (Librarian and Archivist, RCB Library) & Mr John Fitzgerald (Dublin City Manager)	Mrs Mary Furlong (RCB Library), Ms June Howard and Mr Philip Talbot (RCB staff)