President Mary McAleese was guest of honour at a ceremony yesterday to mark the tercentenary of St Ann's in Dawson Street, one of Dublin's most prominent Church of Ireland parishes.
Ireland's first president Douglas Hyde was married in the parish church, while another president, Erskine Childers, was also a parishioner.
St Ann's is associated with some of the most famous names in Irish history including the leader of the United Irishmen Wolfe Tone, Thomas Barnardo, founder of Barnardos, author Bram Stoker who wrote Dracula and art connoisseur Hugh Lane.
Lord Mayor Cllr Paddy Burke and the Archbishop of Dublin Dr John Neill were among the congregation at the service, led by the Rev Canon Tom Haskins.
While the parish of St Ann's was established in 1707, the building of the church took longer.
The church site was donated by Sir Joshua Dawson, after whom the street is named.