Rules for the Hire of the Church

We, the Congregation of the Dublin Unitarian Church, are very pleased that we can make our historic building available for Weddings, Baptisms and certain Cultural and Social events. We would be grateful if before making a booking you would read and agree to our rules for the hire of the Church. These rules were put in place to protect the building and its contents and to ensure that you and your guests enjoy a safe visit to the Church.

Weddings

You are asked to bring the relevant rules to the attention of any wedding organisers, florists or musicians you may engage. NB the Church sound system and musical instruments are used for our weekly Sunday Services and any adjustments to their settings, no matter how well intentioned, can cause us a lot of inconvenience.

Deposit – there is a non-refundable deposit of €100 payable at the time a booking is entered into the diary.

Access – the church will be open and available to the hirer from one hour before the booked start time, until one and a half hours after the booked start time, unless a longer period is specifically agreed. Any requested extension may incur an additional charge. Additional access (e.g. for a florist the evening before) might be possible but will depend on other events in the Church, and the availability of someone to provide access at that time.

Organ – Josh Johnston, the Church organist, MUST give his approval (and communicate this to the celebrant / usher) before the organ can be used.

Piano – must not be moved without the permission and oversight of a member of the church. If moved it must be returned to its usual position and be professionally tuned before the following Sunday.

PA– the church sound system may not be operated or altered in any way by anyone other than a member of the church. The sound system can not be used to amplify any external musical instruments or other equipment. Hirers may provide their own sound system as required.

Candles – may not be used outside the main body of the Church. Candles may only be lit under supervision of the officiant from the Church. Candles may not be set lower than four feet off the ground (trailing skirts etc. can easily catch fire) and must be on a stable base, and positioned out of the way of the flow of people.

Decoration – any decorations fixed to the pews etc. must be tied in place. NO pins, tacks, tape, blue tack, or any similar method of fixing which might cause damage, strip varnish or paint etc., may be used in any part of the church.

Florists / decorators must not leave behind large quantities of scrap materials, cardboard boxes etc., and must fully tidy up after themselves.

Any plants / vases / containers etc. left for later collection may only be left by arrangement, and will not be retained for more than one week.

Receptions – occasionally drinks have been served at the back of the Church after a wedding. This may only be done with the agreement of the celebrant and usher, and will involve an additional fee, to be negotiated with the celebrant and usher.

Children – parents should be advised that they must keep their children under control while in the Church. Children may not run in the Church, climb in the pulpit or over the pews etc., and may not go into the gallery unaccompanied. If a child is causing disruption, parents may be asked remain in the lobby for the duration of the service.

·Confetti – the use of confetti in or outside the Church is not allowed.

Social and Cultural Events

Concerts, exhibitions etc. may be authorised by the Church Managing Committee. A list of fees is available on request. Hirers must ensure that admittance to the Church is monitored by a member of their party at all times when Church doors are open, to prevent any security risk to the Church building and contents.

Kindly note the Wedding rules relating to the Church Organ, Piano and PA system

Rules for the Hire of the Vestry

· Entrance and security – regular hirers must apply for a key to the Vestry from the Church managing committee, with details of the name and contact numbers of the person designated as keyholder, and contact details for a second person in the event of an emergency. The Church must be notified of any changes to these contact details. Once a key has been provided to an organisation, they must ensure that admittance to the building is monitored by a member of their party at all times while the street door to the vestry is open, to prevent any security risk to the Church building and contents.

For one-off hirings or where organisations do not require keys, hirers must ensure that all admittance is monitored by a member of their party at all times while the street door to the vestry is open. They must notify the Church member who admitted them when the last person is leaving the building.

Fees – to be negotiated with the management committee at the time of application for a key, or when making a one-off booking without a key.

Heaters and lights must be turned off before leaving the premises.

Damer Hall

RCSI are the tenants of the Damer Hall and the Church only has weekday access to this area on a limited number of occasions during the year. Anyone contacting RCSI regarding the use of the hall must make it very clear that this is not a request on behalf of the Church.