I visited Jehovah’s Witnesses Branch Office when I was in Ireland. I stopped to take photos and was invited in and shown around. They even invited me to stay for tea!
I had planned on visiting Ireland’s Bethel early in my trip. But, then I wrecked the rental car and spent that day sleeping. So, on my last day I decided to just go see Watch Tower House, even though it was not during the hours that tours are available.
Watch Tower House, Ireland’s Bethel
Brother mowing at Ireland’s Bethel
I drove down and took some photos. The brother stopped mowing, walked over and invited me in. They were about to sit down to tea and invited me to join them. Everyone was so hospitable and friendly.
Did you know that there are very interesting tours available at many of Jehovah’s Witnesses properties? Just ask at any Assembly Hall or Branch.
Lounge at Ireland’s Bethel
Lounge at Ireland’s Bethel
This is where we had tea, some sort of nut bread and tea.
Dining Room at Watch Tower House, Ireland’s Branch Office
Dining Room at Watch Tower House, Ireland’s Branch Office
Guest Bedroom at Watch Tower House, Ireland’s Bethel
Living room of one of the volunteer rooms at Ireland’s Bethel
Volunteer at Ireland’s Bethel
Guest Bedroom at Ireland’s Bethel
Living room of a different volunteer’s room at Ireland’s Branch Office
Library at Watch Tower House, Ireland’s Branch Office
Some of the recorded talks from the 1940s in the library at Ireland’s Bethel
There was a small museum of the history of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Ireland.
Museum Display at Ireland’s Bethel
Museum Display at Ireland’s Bethel
Museum Display at Ireland’s Bethel
Museum Display at Ireland’s Bethel
Museum Display at Ireland’s Bethel
Museum Display at Ireland’s Bethel
Museum Display at Ireland’s Bethel: Sister Milne, the secretary of the Dundonald Company, Belfast, (what congregations were called at that time) sent a telegram to Hitler.
Telegram to Hitler from the Museum at Ireland’s Bethel: “Your ill-treatment of Jehovah’s Witnesses shocks all good people of earth and dishonors God’s name. Refrain from further persecution Jehovah’s Witnesses otherwise God will destroy you and your national party. Signed S. Milne. Secy. Dundonald Company of Jehovah’s Witnesses”
A special world wide meeting was called on Sunday, October 7, 1934 to show solidarity with the brothers in Germany. They all sent this cable to Hitler.
“This telegram was dispatched on the very same day from congregations in 50 different countries, including those in Germany. Imagine the flood of telegrams converging on Berlin on that day! It was not only a warning to Hitler and his party; this was also a demonstration of unity and solidarity of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide. As for the outcome, the fate of Hitler and of his political party is well known.”
1987 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses“This telegram from Ireland was among 20,000 letters and telegrams sent to Hitler by Jehovah’s Witnesses in 50 countries, including Germany, protesting his treatment of Jehovah’s Witnesses.”
Arnold-Liebster Foundation
One of the trucks that delivered literature to the various congregations in Ireland
The delivery routes for literature delivery in Ireland
The maintenance schedule in the shop at Ireland’s Bethel
Carpentry shop and landscaping equipment at Ireland’s Bethel
Storage at Ireland’s Bethel
These boxes belong to missionaries that are moving. Their things will be sent along to them.
Hair Salon and Barber Shop at Watch Tower House, Ireland’s Bethel
Laundry at Ireland’s Bethel
Map of the Ireland Congregations
Landscaped path between the buildings at Watch Tower House, Ireland’s Bethel
Beautiful Landscaping at Watch Tower House, Ireland’s Branch Office
The Ireland Branch Office was called Watch Tower House. It was at Newcastle Greystones in County Wicklow, about 30 minutes south of Dublin. It was sold in 2011.
The real estate ad says the property was 8 acres. The three interlinking buildings came to 31,380 square feet. The main building had reception, recreation rooms, a conference room, seminar room, library, twelve offices, commercial kitchen, dining room, lounge and laundry. The building to the right held the hair salon, pantry, games room, boiler room, carpentry shop, garage and storage. The block to the left held twenty bedroom efficiency suites, eight with living rooms.
Dublin Kingdom Hall and Field Service >
Londonderry Kingdom Hall and Field Service >
Why was Ireland’s Bethel closed?
Many small branch offices of Jehovah’s Witnesses have been consolidated into larger branches. Technological developments in communication and printing mean fewer people can accomplish more, so branches were merged to be more efficient. The Ireland Branch Office was joined with Britain.
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