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MEATH STREET

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The 2012 Fire: A Parish in Crisis

On the morning of 2nd January 2012, the church was nearly destroyed by a catastrophic fire. The blaze was ignited by a homeless man, later identified as Patrick Currie, who used a lighter to set fire to the straw in the Christmas Crib.
The fire’s impact was exacerbated by a physical phenomenon known as a backdraft. When the church doors were opened to allow firefighters to tackle the initial blaze, the sudden influx of oxygen mixed with volatile gases trapped inside, causing a massive fireball. This explosion:
Blew out the historic stained-glass windows.
Incinerated much of the interior woodwork and the organ loft.
Caused over €4 million in structural and cosmetic damage.
Currie, who claimed he was "God Almighty" and intended to "burn out the paedophiles," was later found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to the Central Mental Hospital.

The Eventual Outcome and Restoration

The aftermath of the fire saw an extraordinary community-led restoration project that lasted nearly two years. The church officially reopened in December 2013, with a final rededication of the altar in November 2014 by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.

The restoration produced several silver linings:

Architectural Discoveries: During the cleaning of smoke-damaged surfaces, an original French limestone altar was discovered. It had previously been mistaken for plaster because it was covered in layers of thick paint.
Modern Upgrades: The church was fitted with a sophisticated new lighting system and a new parquet floor, while the 19th-century Telford & Telford organ was painstakingly restored.
Preservation: Remarkably, a bust of the Irish patriot Kevin Barry survived the inferno intact.

The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes

Located on the church grounds, the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes is a focal point of devotion for the people of Meath Street.

History: The Grotto was significantly renovated and rededicated in the year 2000. It serves as a quiet sanctuary amidst the bustling market atmosphere of the Liberties.

**The Sacred Relic: A Piece of Lourdes^^

Embedded in the stonework of the grotto is a small, distinct fragment of rock. A notice confirms that this is a genuine relic from the Massabielle Grotto in Lourdes, the site where St. Bernadette Soubirous witnessed the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1858.

The presence of this rock is a significant draw for pilgrims and locals for several reasons:

The "Touch" Tradition: Much like pilgrims at the original shrine in France who run their hands along the smooth, damp walls of the cave, visitors to Meath Street often reach out and touch this fragment as they pass. It is a tactile act of faith, believed by many to bridge the distance between Dublin and the miraculous spring of Lourdes.

The Story of Kate McGee: Local lore suggests the relic was brought to the parish by a well-known local "character" named Kate McGee. She was a street dealer—part of the vibrant market culture that still defines Meath Street—who allegedly travelled to France and returned with a piece of the "statue wall" to gift to her community.

A "Poor Man’s" Pilgrimage: Historically, many residents of the Liberties could not afford the expensive journey to France. The incorporation of an actual piece of the Lourdes rock transformed the Meath Street Grotto from a mere replica into a "proxy shrine." For the elderly or the impoverished, visiting the grotto offered the same spiritual "validity" as the overseas pilgrimage.

Why the Grotto Remains Popular

Beyond the physical relic, the grotto serves as a living archive of the community's grief and hope. It is rarely seen without fresh flowers or "intention cards" tucked into the crevices of the stone.
A Place of Refuge: During the heroin epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s, the grotto became a primary site for families to pray for those struggling with addiction or to mourn those lost.
Modern Threats: Recently, the grotto has seen a surge in local support due to concerns over nearby commercial developments (such as hotels) that residents fear might infringe upon the tranquility and structural integrity of the shrine. This has only reinforced its status as a "protected" piece of the Liberties' cultural heritage.