Very Revd Maria Jansson

Dean of Waterford

Maria Jansson’s father was a Swedish Lutheran widower when he married Maria’s mother. Maria was their first child, born in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. When Maria was 8 years old her father was transferred to the ESB station in Cork and the family settled in Bishopstown. She eventually qualified as a religious teacher, spent some time in France and Israel and returned to Ireland to further her studies.

She spent a year as a curate in Galway but was delighted to be offered a curacy with Rev. Norman Ruddock in Wexford.

Maria became the Church of Ireland rector for the parish and is proud to be Wexford’s first female priest. In 2011, Maria was appointed Dean of Waterford

Aidan Matthews

Poet, novelist, dramatist and broadcaster

Aidan was educated by the Jesuits during and after the second Vatican council.

He trained at UCD, TCD, and Stanford University where he studied under René Girard. He's worked for many years as a producer in RTE.

His recent work includes Charlie Chaplin's Wishbone (stories), Fasting and Feasting: Radio Reflections on Christmas and Easter and Sound Effects in a Studio (poetry).