As The Reverend Kevin Dalton marks down a quarter of a century as Rector he talks warmly of his time here in Monkstown. He remembers turning into the Monkstown Road on the occasion of his Institution 25 years ago in February 1979. At the end of the road he was faced with the beautiful image of a floodlit Monkstown Parish Church. “Floodlighting of a parish church was unusual in those days and it made quite an impact”. The church was full for the service of Institution which was conducted by the then Archbishop of Dublin, The Most Rev. Dr. Henry McAdoo, the preacher was The Rector of St. John’s Parish, The late Canon Aubrey and so Kevin embarked on his new ministry. Before the service began a parishioner of Monkstown was overheard by a parishioner from North Strand speaking about their new Rector, “excuse me,” said the Northsider, “He’s not your Rector, he’s our Rector, and he’s not your Rector until he is instituted”.
Kevin’s previous parish was Drumcondra & North Strand, which, after the war was the largest C. of I. Parish in the South of Ireland. Consequently there were a lot of sick, elderly & housebound parishioners to visit. From these parishioners living mainly in the North Strand & East Wall area of Dublin city he learned so much. They allowed him to share their sorrows and their joys, ”a privilege for any clergyman”. From the middle aged and younger parishioners living mainly at the Drumondra end of the parish, the needs and claims were of a different nature”. Kevin brought a wealth of experience to Monkstown and the parishioners responded by accepting his ministry and supporting him fully.
“Here in Monkstown, I have found in my work great encouragement, I have witnessed an attempt by a community & individuals doing their best to live out the faith, in works of care and compassion for others whether near or far away”. Kevin continues to thank the vestry for all their ready support. He instances the running of the Employment Office in the Knox Hall, the food kitchen for the homeless in the church vaults, the Bi-Centenary year in 1989 – the celebration of Monkstown 1200 all examples of total vestry and parish co-operation. He says, “ It really isn’t just a case of what I have done in the parish, rather it is much more a case of what you as parishioners have enabled by accepting my ministry, by supporting different projects we have undertaken together, by sharing in the worship and the efforts to build up the faith in this place and by just being there and giving support.”
Kevin finishes his address by reflecting on the last 25 years and remembering “all the loyal parishioners who were here when I came and who have now moved on, but who by their memory, example and fellowship are still encouraging us from across the great divide which separates us from them, calling on us to continue God’s work of bringing in the Kingdom, by living out the faith no matter how hard or how costly it is.”
Kevin followed the much beloved Rev. Billy Wynne – who left behind him the caring legacy of The Samaritans. But every priest, with the help of God makes his own mark and his own particular contribution to the ongoing life of the people of God. Last year Kevin published his memoir “That Could Never Be” which is co-authored by Reverend Paddy Semple. The book has been a revelation to many – an extraordinary story of one who is still serving as Rector in the parish of Monkstown Co. Dublin. Let Cromlyn reviewing the book in the Church of Ireland Gazette conclude. ’So the story is now told. But thanks be to God, enough of the youthful awkward and stubborn Dalton remains within the Dalton of the mature and respected clerical seniority for us to find in this account of himself some most enlightening (and blunt) asides, comments on others, both cleric and lay.’ Yes Kevin, I have read the book.
Carole Cullen