One of the oldest churches in Dublin could be forced to shut down for up to two years becuase of construction of a Luas line.
St Ann's on Dawson Street, which marks the 300th anniversary of its parish this year, sits on one of the proposed routes to link the Red and Green Lines.
Former presidents Douglas Hyde and Erskine Childers regularly attended services in the church and Draculacreator Bram Stoker and Green party chairman John Gormley were both married there.
Tercentenary committee chairman Cyril Wright is worried that digging works during the construction phase of the Luas could destabilise the foundation of the building and hamper access to services for parishioners.
Mr Wright (79) who first began attending the church as a choirboy, believes daily services as well as funerals and weddings will be inconvenienced by the loss of parking spaces and easy pedestrian access.
Vaults containing old graves underneath the building could also be affected, he believes. "We've had three meetings with the Rail Procurement Agency but we are worried about the digging. The foundation of the church will be affected," Mr Wright said.
"As well as for churchgoers, the building is also an important facility for many passers-by who go inside to say a private prayer during the day. Its peace and quietness is a soothing contrast to the bustle of the city outside."
Running the Luas down Dawson Street from St Stephen's Green is one of five options being put to public consultation by the RPA. This proposed route would also include Nassau Street, Lower Grafton Street, College Green, Westmoreland Street and O'Connell Street.