2023 Easter Dawn Services

31.3.2023 | Congregational Life, Church Life, Easter, Presbytery News


On Easter Sunday each year, across various outdoor locations as the day dawns, Presbyterians will come together to celebrate and worship the risen Lord Jesus, proclaiming “He is risen!”

Ahead of this Easter Sunday, on Sunday 9 April, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has compiled a list of  over 30 venues where services are taking place that have been organised by local congregations, or gatherings involving Presbyterian churches and others in the local community. Many more will also take place.

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

2023 Easter Dawn Services

Presbytery
Time
Location

Armagh

7am

Play Park, Esker Park, Killylea, organised by Knappagh Presbyterian Church (followed by breakfast in the Band Hall.)

Ballymena

6.30am

Slemish carpark.

 

6.30am

Portglenone Forest Park.

South Belfast

6am

Half way down the path from near the House of Sport roundabout to Clement Wilson Park. Please bring a flask of coffee or tea. Croissants provided after the short service. Hosted by McCracken Presbyterian Church.

 

6am

Belvoir Forest car park - start 6.15am - everyone is cordially invited back to Ravenhill Presbyterian Church hall for a time of fellowship and breakfast afterwards.

Carrickfergus

6.30am

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

 

7am

Ballygally at the slipway, hosted by Cairncastle congregation (followed by tea and toast in Ballygally Hall.)

 

7.30am

Carrickfergus Castle car park. Hosted by Mission Carrick (followed by breakfast in Carrickfergus Methodist Church.)

Coleraine & Limavady

6.30am

Ramore Head , Portrush. Organised by Ballywillan Presbyterian Church (breakfast afterwards in Ballywillan church hall.)

Derry & Donegal

 

6.30am

Magheramason village, Dunnalong Road, by the riverside. (Pass the petrol station in Magheramason, turn right into Dunnalong and proceed for approx. 1 mile. Turn right at crossroads and travel down to the riverside.) Speaker: Rev Robert Orr of Leckpatrick & Donagheady. Organised by Magheramason Presbyterian Church. (Breakfast in Church Hall afterwards with a retiring offering.)

Down

6am

Island Hill, just outside Comber, organised by Second Comber Presbyterian along with other local churches.

 

6.30am

Glasswater Wood - Glasswater Road off main Crossgar- Saintfield Road organised by Raffrey Presbyterian Church.

 

6.30am

Boardmills in the field behind the Manse at 55 Church Road. Organised by Trinity Boardmills Presbyterian Church.

Dromore

6.30am

In the field behind Legacurry Presbyterian Church Hall. (Breakfast afterwards.)

 

7am

Belshaw's Quarry, on Bensons Road,just outside Lisburn, organised by Elmwood Presbyterian Church

 

7am

First Dromara Presbyterian Church carpark. (Followed by breakfast.)

 

7am

 At the Large Field, Hillsborough Forest Park organised by Hillsborough Presbyterian Church.

Dublin & Munster

6.30am

County Dublin: Bull Island (at the statue at the end of the wooden bridge) organised by Clontarf Presbyterian Church and other churches in the local area

 

6.30am

 

County Wicklow: The sea in front of St David’s Holy Faith Secondary School. Organised by Greystones’ Presbyterian Church. (Breakfast in Church Hall afterwards.)

 

6.30am

County Wicklow: South Beach, Arklow, organised by Arklow Presbygterian Church, (breakfast afterwardsin Arus Lorcan.)

Iveagh

6.30am

Spelga Dam, Mountains of Mourne. (If wet in Hilltown Presbyterian Church) followed by breakfast afterwards in Clonduff Presbyterian Halls. Donations in aid of Tear Fund.

Monaghan

7am

Drum Lake, County Monaghan, organised by Drum Presbyterian Church.

Newry

6.30am

Cloughmore Stone, Kilbroney Forest Park, Rostrevor.

Omagh

6.30am

Slieveglass Windfarm, Bolaght Mountain, Castlederg.

 

6.30am

Old Bridge Road (off the A5 north of Newtownstewart.)

 

6.30am

Knockmany.

Route

7am

Causeway Stones, Giant's Causeway, organised by Bushmills Presbyterian Church.

 

7am

Outside St James' Presbyterian Church, Ballymoney.

Templepatrick

6.30am

Second Donegore Presbyterian Church, also known as Dunamuggy.

Tyrone

6.30am

Dungannon Park via the entrance by the back gate at Moygashel.

 

6.30am

 Ballyronan Marina, lakeshore in front of the main carpark.

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

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