2024 Easter Dawn Services

19.3.2024 | Church Life, Easter, Presbytery News


Next Sunday, 31 March, will not only herald the clocks going forward by an hour, but the day when Christians across Ireland will proclaim ‘He is risen, He is risen indeed!’ As Easter Sunday is celebrated, thousands of people will also get up a little earlier than normal to be the first to praise and worship the risen Lord Jesus as the sun rises at special Easter Dawn Services across the island.

Ahead of Easter Sunday, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has compiled a list of upwards of 40 venues where services will be taking place this year. Organised by local congregations, or gatherings involving Presbyterian churches and others in the local community, they are taking place on beaches and slipways, in forest parks, atop hills and at some iconic settings, such as the Giants Causeway, The Cloughmore Stone, Carrickfergus Castle and the Splega Dam, in Mountains of Mourne.

With the earliest services beginning at 6am (weather dependent of course), they vary in format involving praise, prayer, scripture readings and a short address. A tradition that goes back many generations. Some even offer a tasty breakfast afterwards.

2024 Easter Dawn Services

Presbytery
Time
Location

Armagh

7am

Killyleagh Play Park, organised by Knappagh Presbyterian Church followed by breakfast in the Band Hall.

Ballymena

7am

7am

Slemish carpark

Portglenone Forest Park - breakfast to follow in First Portglenone Church Hall

East Belfast

6.30am

 

6.30am

Belvoir Forest Park, meet in the car park opposite Tesco on the dual carriageway. (Service at 6.45am, but meet at 69.30am). Organised by Ravenhill Presbyterian Church with breakfast afterwards at the Church Halls.

Lisnabreeny at the top of Cregagh Glen. Organised by Kirkpatrick Memorial Presbyterian Church, meet at the bottom of the Glen for 6.30am (service at 7am.)

South Belfast

7am


6.45am

Joint Service with St John's Newtownbreda on the lawn of Cooke Centenary Presbyterian Church, with breakfast after in Cooke Church Halls

Halfway down the path from near the House of Sport roundabout to Clement Wilson Park. Those attending are invited to bring a flask of tea or coffee. Croissants provided after the short service. Hosted by McCracken Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Carrickfergus

7am
 

7am
 

7am
 

7.30am

At Bank Heads Town Park, Larne. Hosted by First Larne, Gardenmore and Craigy Hill Presbyterian Churches. Breakfast afterwards in Craigy Hill halls

Ballygally at the slipway, hosted by Cairncastle congregation in association with neighbouring churches

Carrickfergus Castle car park, in association with other churches. Followed by breakfast in St Nicholas Church of Ireland

Ballyboley Forest Park, hosted by Ballynure Presbyterian Church, followed by breakfast at the church.

Coleraine
and
Limavady

6.30am
 

6.30am

6.45am

Organised by Portstewart and Burnside Presbyterian Churches along with Portstewart Baptist Church, taking place on Harbour Hill, Portstewart with breakfast afterwards.

Myroe Presbyterian Church will hold their service in its car park

Ramore Head, Portrush, organised by Ballywillan Presbyterian Church, with breakfast afterwards in Ballywillan Church Hall.

Derry
and
Donegal

7am

Magheramason village, Dunnalong Road, by the river side. Organised by Magheramason Presbyterian Church, breakfast afterwards in the Church Hall with a retiring offering for a local charity.

Down

6am
 

6.15am

6.30am

Island Hill, just outside Comber, Ringcreevy Road, BT23 5NR organised by Comber Churches Together

Killinchy and Ballygowan Presby. Churches at 16 Killinakin Road, Killinchy, BT23 6PS

Glasswater Wood, (Glasswater Road, Crossgar, Downpatrick BT30 9JA) organised by Raffrey Presbyterian Church.

Dromore

6.30am


7am


7am
 

7am


7am


7am

Organised by Railway Street and Sloan Street Presbyterian Churches, Lisburn, taking place at the Wallace Park Bandstand in the city.

Organised by Banbridge Road Presbyterain Church, Dromore, service will take place on The Mound, Dromore with breakfast afterwards at the Church Hall.

Organised by Hillsborough Presbyterian Church taking place at the Fort Field, Hillsborough Forest Park.

Moira Churches Together at Moira Demesne, followed by breakfast in Moira Presbyterian Church.

Organised by Elmwood Presbyterian Church, the service will take place at Belshaw's Quarry (off Glenavy Road) followed by breakfast at the church.

Organised by Legacurry Presbyterian Church at the field adjacent to the church (Ballynahinch Road, Lisburn) followed by breakfast at the church.

Dublin
and
Munster


6.45am


6.30am

County Wicklow
The seafont infront of St David's Holy Faith Secondary School. Organised by Greystone Presbyterian Church with breakfast in the church hall afterwards

Arklow Churches Together, South Beach Car Park (Arklow).

Iveagh

7am


6.45am

Spelga Dam, Mourne Moutains (if wet/snow Clonduff Presbyterian Church) followed by breakfast in church halls.

Newcastle central promenade, inter-church service involving Newcastle Presbyterian Church.

Monaghan


7am

7am
 



7am

County Monaghan
Ballybay Group of Presbyterian Churches - meet in Ballybay Town Park.

Monaghan Churches Together (including First Monaghan & Ballyalbany Presbyterian Churches) 'Son-Light Service' taking place at Monaghan Colegiate School, followed by breakfast at the school.

County Cavan
Service taking place at Haltons, Cootehill, County Cavan (opposite Abbots factory) followed by breakfast at in Cootehill Presbyterian Church Hall.

Newry

6.30am

Cloughmore Stone, Kilbroney Forest Park, Rostrevor

Route

7am

7am

Causeway Stones, Giants Causeway

Outside St James' Presbyterian Church, Ballymoney

Templepatrick

6.30am

Second Donegore Presbyterian Church (also known as Dunamuggy)

Tyrone

6.30am

6.30am

Dunganon Forest Park. Entrance at Moygashel Gate, Jackson Road, Dungannon, BT71 7RE

Ballyronan Marina, lakeshore in front of main car park - 135 Shore Road, Ballyronan, Magherafelt, BT45 6JA

Please note that the list has been supplied by individual presbyteries and is accurate at the time of publication.

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