Hungry thoughts on Dublin’s Capel Street on All Saints Day

Christians today recall all

Capel Street on All Saints Day

those who have died, yesterday was the feast of All Saints.

There were celebrations in Dublin City Centre yesterday evening, beginning at 7pm and finishing at 10pm. An evening of music, food and fun. The fun continues today.

Earlier in the afternoon I had an hour to spare in the Capel Street area of Dublin 1.  I was waiting for new batteries to be installed in my laptop and mobile phone by a Mongolian man in a shop that sells and fixes computers, phones, and sells vapes. His colleague was from Brazil. Both men were  friendly, indeed kind, they allowed me leave my bicycle in the shop.

Strolling down Capel Street, it was clear to see the world and its mother was on display. Every second person seemed to speak a different language; all types, sizes, styles, on a cold winter’s day the odd belly button was on display, the young, not too many old, some decrepit, one or two beggars. Capel Street’s pedestrian way allows for all sorts of human extravagance.

I was tired and hungry so I popped into Boyle Sports betting shop. Today’s betting shops are great places to take a break as they are all kitted out with nice comfortable armchairs, some sort coffee machines. Boyle Sports on Capel Street is large, much bigger than it looks from the outside; I must have counted 40 screens; there were up to 30 customers placing bets, all men, not a woman in sight.  It looked as if I were the only freeloader present.

Having rested for 10 to 15 minutes on exiting I saw a man studying the form sheet while at the same time eating a chicken with his hands.

I must have counted 27 self service checkouts in the Lidl store on Moore Street, and was it busy. An assistant told me it is their second busiest shop in Ireland. There was a long queue at the Return machine; a young Brazilian woman had a black sack of empty cans and bottles to dispose. The bag was as tall as she.

On Henry Street people were handing out leaflets titled ‘Is there Hope for the Future’, obviously some religious organisation.

I began to think about where the Catholic Church is in Ireland today. When  I was a little boy and then later as a youth growing into manhood in Ireland the Catholic Church ruled supreme. The churches were full on Sunday, but I can clearly remember my mother saying that when the church would fade, it would collapse over night. What wise words.

The young men I observe heading for priesthood these days remind me of the perfectly suited Mormons I would see going from house-to-house in my youth and they were all young men. I don’t think I ever saw a woman mormon pacing the streets.

When I hear people like Bishop Robert Barron or those on EWTN, most of the Catholic Church material on social media I feel it is directed to a small group of ‘dedicated’ people but it is saying nothing, nothing at all to the vast majority of the people I saw on Capel Street, Henry Street and in Boyle Sports yesterday. Why? Because, in my opinion, the 'church people' are speaking an outdated language. At least that’s my hunch.

The Dominican ideal is a wonderful vision; it’s an attempt at living and speaking the Word of God in a language and style that makes sense to the people in Capel Street, Henry Street and Boyle Sports. But before ever a word is uttered surely it is essential to listen and learn from other people. To me, the word ‘preaching’ is an immediate turn off to the very people with whom we hope to speak.

Personally, I find so much of what is being said is pious cliche, meaningless, words, waffle in 2025.

My cent’s-worth after a 60-minute stroll in Dublin 1 on the feast of All Saints.