Irvine was a priest with a special ministry to writers, actors and politicians as these extracts from obituaries demonstrate:
"Irvine had a special rapport with writers and actors, many of whom recognised beneath his charm, hospitality and friendship a wisdom derived from his deep devotion to God. Iris Murdoch, PD James and AN Wilson were among these, as was Tony Warren, the inventor of Coronation Street, and Barry Humphries, the creator of Dame Edna Everage.
Politicians also responded to his lovable character. Harold and Mary Wilson valued him as a near neighbour when they were living in Lord North Street, during the refurbishment of 10 Downing Street. Tom Driberg had a room in the clergy house for several years, and the Labour MP Frank Field was another close friend. Several spies are said to have called in from time to time. Yet there was always space for the hungry and the homeless." Obituary in the Daily Telegraph
"He had the secret of being lovable, and of loving other people, across the social scale. His friendships ranged from spies and politicians – Maurice Oldfield, Harold and Mary Wilson, Tom Driberg and Frank Field – to literary figures like Rose Macaulay, John Betjeman, Iris Murdoch, PD James and AN Wilson. There were also popular figures like Tony Warren, the inventor of Coronation Street, and the teenagers in his youth club at Holy Angels, Cranford (then a Nissen hut overflown by the planes from the new London Airport), some of whom were still in touch years later ...
No one knows all the details of his relationships with the leaders of politics and culture of the 20th century but perhaps Irvine's joyful and thoughtful face offered something important in an age of doubt.
Rose Macaulay wrote of him: "a clever young prophet, very good company too." " Obituary from The Independent
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