Service of Introduction and Licensing in St Paul and St Barnabas

Thursday June 9th 2022

The Rev Andrew Irwin who was introduced as Curate of the Parish of St Paul and St Barnabas, Belfast, on June 8, with Bishop George Davison.

The Rev Andrew Irwin was introduced as Curate of the Parish of St Paul and St Barnabas, Belfast, on Wednesday June 8 by the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev George Davison.

At the same service, Bishop George also Licensed the Rev Brian Lacey as Priest-in-Charge of the parish.

Preacher at the service was the Ven Roderic West, rector of the Parish of Seapatrick, Banbridge, Diocese of Down and Dromore, where Andrew was curate prior to his appointment to St Paul and St Barnabas. A sizeable number of Andrew’s friends from Seapatrick Parish travelled to St Paul’s in York Street for the service.

Pictured at the Service of Introduction and Licensing are, from left: Kate Crothers, Parish Reader; the Ven Barry Forde, Archdeacon of Belfast; the Rev Brian Lacey, Rural Dean, who was Licensed as Priest-in Charge of the Parish of St Paul and St Barnabas; the Rt Rev George Davison, Bishop of Connor; the Rev Andrew Irwin, who was introduced as Curate of the Parish of St Paul and St Barnabas; the Rev Canon William Taggart, Registrar; and the Ven Roderic West, Seapatrick Parish, who preached.

Andrew, 32, is a native of Portadown, Co Armagh, and grew up in the Parish of Knocknamuckley. He studied Computer Science at Queen’s University Belfast, graduating in 2012. He worked in software development and digital communications before starting to train for the ministry in 2015 at the Church of Ireland Theological College in Dublin.

Andrew was deacon intern in Waringstown and Donacloney, Diocese of Down and Dromore, before moving to nearby Banbridge as curate in Seapatrick Parish.

Andrew said: “I am looking forward to moving to St Paul and St Barnabas and seeing what God can do. It is a great place with great potential.”

Clergy at the Service of Introduction and Licensing in St Paul and St Barnabas on June 8.

The Rev Brian Lacey, left, who was Licensed as Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of St Paul and St Barnabas; Bishop George Davison; and the Rev Andrew Irwin who was introduced as Curate of the Parish.