As Dublin comes alive with the spirit of Christmas, St Martin Apostolate at 42 Parnell Square West stands as a beacon of faith, community, and welcome in the heart of the city. Home to the much-loved Moving Crib, the Apostolate also offers visitors a peaceful Oratory, where Mass is celebrated Monday to Friday at 1 p.m., a Religious Goods Shop filled with devotional items and thoughtful Christmas gifts, and the long-running Saint Martin Magazine, which has inspired readers for over seventy years. Whether you are visiting to reflect, to shop for a meaningful gift, or to experience the wonder of The Moving Crib, you will find warmth and welcome in every corner.
Now open and running daily until 4 January 2026, The Moving Crib invites families, friends, and visitors to step inside and rediscover one of Dublin’s most cherished Christmas traditions.
A Dublin Tradition That Spans Generations
This year marks the sixty-ninth anniversary of The Moving Crib, a beloved attraction that has delighted children, inspired parents, and drawn back grandparents who once visited as youngsters themselves. Next year, it will celebrate an extraordinary milestone, seventy years of sharing the story of Christmas with the people of Ireland.
Founded and maintained by the St Martin Apostolate, the Crib has become much more than a display. It is a celebration of faith, community, and creativity. What began in 1956 as a modest nativity exhibition has grown into a captivating, multi-scene experience that brings the Bible’s stories to life through movement, light, and artistry.
A Feast for the Senses
Stepping inside The Moving Crib is like walking into a living storybook. More than one hundred moving figures and colourful backdrops guide visitors through scenes from the Bible, from Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and Noah’s Ark, through to the Annunciation, King Herod’s court, and the Nativity itself.
Every figure and every scene is lovingly crafted. The gentle mechanical movement, the soft lighting, and the familiar soundtrack of Christmas hymns create an atmosphere of joy and reverence that appeals to all ages. This year visitors will also enjoy two new displays, Vintage Treasures and Cribs Around the World.
Festive Music with the Bray Gospel Choir
This Sunday, 7 December, the joy continues with live performances from the Bray Gospel Choir. Visitors can enjoy four half-hour sessions between 12:30 p.m. and finishing at 4:00 p.m., featuring classic carols and uplifting gospel harmonies that fill the Crib with the true spirit of Christmas. No booking required. Simply drop in, join the singing, and let the music warm your heart.
Free Admission and Visiting Details
Admission to The Moving Crib is free for all visitors. It is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with early closing at 3:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, and closed on Christmas Day, St Stephen’s Day, and New Year’s Day.
Families and individuals can visit freely without booking, while school and group visits can be arranged online at www.stmartin.ie/crib or by phoning 01 874 5465.
Preserving a 70-Year Legacy
As The Moving Crib approaches its seventieth anniversary, the Apostolate has launched a fundraising campaign to undertake essential works and to restore and preserve the much-loved figures, sets, and mechanisms that have enchanted generations. Donations can be made during visits, by phone, or through the Apostolate’s website at www.stmartin.ie/the-moving-crib-fundraiser.
A Haven of Peace in the City
Beyond the Crib, visitors will find that St Martin Apostolate offers a peaceful refuge in the heart of Dublin. The Oratory at 42 Parnell Square West is open throughout the week and welcomes all who wish to take a quiet moment of prayer or reflection. Mass is celebrated Monday to Friday at 1 p.m., offering a precious pause amid the bustle of city life.
Explore the Religious Goods Shop and Christmas Range
Housed in the same building, the St Martin Religious Goods Shop is directly connected to the Oratory, which lies just off the shop, and it provides a wide range of quality devotional and religious items, including rosaries, medals, statues, prayerbooks, candles, and signed Mass cards. It is a favourite destination for those seeking to express or share their faith through meaningful gifts.
This time of year, the Christmas Shop is brimming with beautiful decorations, nativities, and thoughtful seasonal gifts, perfect for bringing the message of Christmas into homes and hearts. The shop is now open seven days a week: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 11:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, until 4 January 2026, when it will return to its regular hours of Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.
Hours during Christmas week may vary; updated times can be found online or by calling the Apostolate. For those unable to visit in person, the full range is also available online at www.stmartin.ie/shop
The Saint Martin Magazine — Faith in Every Issue
Another cornerstone of the Apostolate’s mission activities is the Saint Martin Magazine, published continuously since 1952 and now reaching nearly 40,000 readers each month. Filled with thoughtful, accessible articles on faith, spirituality, health, gardening, world affairs, and more, it reflects the Apostolate’s ongoing mission to help people live out their faith in daily life. Subscriptions, including gift subscriptions, are available through the shop, over the phone, by post or online at www.stmartin.ie/subscriptions , offering readers a chance to stay connected with their faith throughout the year.
Faith, Tradition, and Welcome
Rooted in the Dominican tradition and inspired by Saint Martin de Porres, the Apostolate continues to serve as a beacon of compassion and faith in the heart of Dublin. Its mission, to help Catholics deepen their faith, support the poor, and promote peace and justice, runs through all its work, from the pages of its magazine to the moving figures of the Crib.
As the Christmas season unfolds, St Martin Apostolate invites everyone to rediscover the simple beauty of faith, family, and reflection. Whether you come to marvel at The Moving Crib, light a candle in the Oratory, pick up a gift in the shop, or support the 70th anniversary fundraiser, you will find a warm welcome waiting at 42 Parnell Square West.
For more information, visit www.stmartin.ie, call 01 874 5465 or email info@stmartin.ie.
