Unique Gift to Bishop Paul Colton from Saint Luke’s Home, Cork to mark his 27 years of Leadership of the Charity.

Posted on May 29, 2026 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Now in retirement, the former Bishop of Cork, Dr Paul Colton, and his wife, Mrs Susan Colton, were the guests of honour at a dinner hosted by the Board of Directors and management team of Saint Luke’s Charity and Saint Luke’s Home Cork, on Thursday, 28th May. Saint Luke’s Home, Cork is a 128 bed residential care facility for older people, specialising in dementia care, with a daycare facility and an education centre named Northridge House on its campus.

The charity was founded in 1872, and Bishop Colton is the longest serving President of the Charity and Home since then. More than that, he served as Chairperson of the Board of Directors for most of that time also.

To mark that period of Bishop Colton’s hands-on leadership the Board commissioned a gift that is entirely unique – emblematic of the links of the Charity with Cork and with the Church of Ireland. A section of a wooden beam which supported the tenor bell in St Anne’s Church at Shandon since the bells were installed in 1752, and which was being replaced in the recent restoration work, was salvaged by Keith Starr of the contractors, Hearthstone, and has been specially turned to create a beautiful and bespoke gift for the Bishop by craftsman Ray Timmins.

At the presentation to the unique hand-crafted ‘bell’ made from wood from the old frame of the Shandon Bells, were (l-r). Patrick Mayes (Chairperson, Board of Directors of Saint Luke’s Home Cork CLG), Malcolm Tyrrell (Chairperson, Saint Luke’s Charity,Cork CLG ), Alan Campbell, Bishop Colton, Susan Colton, the Reverend Meghan Farr (Chaplain, Saint Luke’s Home) and CEO, Tony O’Brien.

It features a plinth beautifully turned from the beam, proudly showing the work undertaken by the beam over the centuries with water damage and nail holes still on display, adding to its unique beauty. Fitted to this plinth is a skillfully crafted replica of one of the bells of Shandon.  The gift is completed by a wooden pen, also crafted from the same beam, which rests on the plinth.  As St Luke’s Home has always been part of St Anne’s parish, this gift seems especially fitting and captures the history and essence of St Anne’s Church.

Receiving the gift, Bishop Colton said:

It am truly very moved by this thoughtful and unique gift with its profound connection to Shandon, the icon of Cork. There is nothing else like this anywhere in the world. Thank you very much.

The craftsman who created these pieces is Ray Timmins, whose wonderful mother-in-law was a beloved resident of St Luke’s Home until her sad passing in March.  Everyone is truly grateful to Ray for the skill, creativity and passion he poured into creating these beautiful pieces for Bishop Colton who has left his very definite mark on the development and well-being of the Home and its caring work.

Director of Saint Luke’s, Alan Campbell (left) presents the uniquely crafted gift to Bishop Colton, with Malcolm Tyrrell (Chairperson of the Board of Directors in succession ot the Bishop of Saint Luke’s Charity Cork CLG)

Describing the piece, Ray Timmins said:

The pieces are made from pine, a soft wood, with evidence of historical water damage at the side of the plinth (porous side). The black marks on the bell are the entry and exit points of the old nails holding the beam in place for centuries.

Replica of one of the Shandon Bells in Cork on a plinth, both made from wood salvaged during the restoration of the bellframe of the Shandon Bells, together with a pen crafted from the same wood, commissioned by the Board of Directors of Saint Luke’s Home, Cork as a gift to Bishop Paul Colton.

Speeches were made also by director, Alan Campbell, reminding people of the Bishop’s lifelong association with Fota Island (where the reception was held) through scouting, and by the new Chairperson of the Charity, Malcolm Tyrrell, who mentioned how hands-on the Bishop has been, and well-known to everyone in the Home over the years, and approachable by all.

CEO, Tony O’Brien said that he had worked with Paul Colton for 8 years and that he wanted to use these words to describe him at work in the Charity: ‘grounded, hard-working, wise, supportive, setting and expecting high standards’, and one quality he highlighted, in particular, he summed up in the word ‘grasp’. Tony told how he would frequently present the Bishop with a lengthy and complicated document, often complex and highly technical, and reading it in a matter of minutes, he had grasped the key issues from it which needed to be addressed. A tribute was also read from former CEO David O’Brien who was unable to be present.

In response, Bishop Colton emphasised that

This charity is the gospel in action. Our work has changed beyond recognition since I first started to chair the board 27 years ago, and even more so since I first visited the old Home on Military Hill as an 8 year old Cub Scout in the 1960s to sing Christmas Carols for the residents in those times.

The Home has become what it is because of the partnership with the residents themselves, their families, our generous volunteers, donors and fund-raisers, our professional and caring staff and management team, and also you the directors. Everyone of those people has – all of us have – one thing in common – we care – and we care most of all for the residents.

The gathering at Fota Island on Thursday 28th May of directors and management in honour of Bishop Paul and Mrs Susan Colton on the occasion of the bishop’s retirement as chairperson of the charity and President of the Home..
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New Representative for Children and Families Ministry in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Posted on May 27, 2026 by mediaccr

The Rev. Elise Hanley, Rector of Cobh and Glanmire Union of Parishes, has been appointed as the new Children and Families Ministry Representative for the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.

The Church of Ireland Board for Ministry with Children and Families (CFM) exists to equip, resource and advocate for the increased welcome, enhanced inclusion, and full participation of children and their families in the whole life of the Church. Their vision is that every Church of Ireland parish, no matter how big or small, is equipped to provide vibrant and engaging ministry with children and families. The CFM representatives from each Diocese work together to promote, support and develop Children and Families ministry across the island of Ireland.

Upon her appointment, the Rev. Elise Hanley said:

I hope to continue and expand upon the excellent work already done by the Rev. Abigail Sines and the wonderful CFM Committee.

It is very important to me that children and families are not only welcomed in our churches, but fully integrated to a sense of true belonging.

While not a parent myself, I see the struggles and challenges faced by young families in our time that are different than what was typical even just 10 or 20 years ago.

I am very close with my brother back in New York, and he and his wife have two young girls. Through their experiences and the experiences of my other friends with children, I see how difficult it can be to both be a child and a parent in this time.

The Church needs to keep adapting to meet young families where they are at, to care for them, and help them walk the Way of the Gospel in Community.

I am grateful to have been asked by Bishop Paul to lead this important work in our Diocese.

The Rev. Elise Hanley, Rector of Cobh and Glanmire Union of Parishes
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Journey of Hope: Christian Aid walk across the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross supports women rebuilding lives in Sierra Leone

Posted on May 18, 2026 by mediaccr

A diocesan fundraising walk in support of women and families in Sierra Leone is now underway across the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.

The Rev. Tony Murphy and the Rev. Andrew Coleman began their Journey of Hope on Thursday, May 14, with a launch event at St Mary’s Collegiate Church in Youghal, attended by the Mayor of Youghal, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley. Since then, the pair have continued their walk through parishes across the Diocese, including visits on Saturday to Carrigaline Union of Parishes and Templebreedy Union of Parishes, where they were joined by parishioners walking in solidarity with the communities affected by poverty and displacement in Sierra Leone.

The walks, which will continue throughout May and June, are raising awareness and funds for the LILOMA Project in Sierra Leone, supported through a partnership between the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Christian Aid Ireland, and the Bishop’s Appeal, the Church of Ireland’s World Development Fund.

The appeal was first launched by Bishop Paul Colton at the Cork Diocesan Synod in October 2024. The project’s name, LILOMA, means “hope” in the local Mende language.

The initiative supports women and families in Upper Malen Chiefdom in Sierra Leone’s Pujehun District, where communities continue to live with the consequences of conflict and land disputes linked to the expansion of large-scale palm oil plantations. Many families lost access to farmland and livelihoods, leaving households economically vulnerable and struggling to provide stability for their children.

One of those affected is Hawa Sannoh, who explained:

“My father’s land was sold without his consent. He used to have lots of land where he would grow palm oil, fruit and vegetables. He was left with nothing.”

Working with the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone, the LILOMA Project helps women rebuild sustainable livelihoods and strengthen their communities. Existing savings groups are being developed into women-led enterprise clusters, providing training in business skills, governance, record-keeping and market engagement. The project also supports alternative income opportunities and livelihood diversification, helping women gain greater economic security and independence.

More than 350 women across ten communities are expected to benefit directly from the project.

Beyond addressing poverty, the initiative also seeks to strengthen dignity, resilience and peace within communities recovering from years of instability. Income generated through the women’s enterprises helps families provide food, pay school fees and support children’s education, while also reducing the pressures that economic hardship can place on households and communities.

This is not the first time that the Rev. Tony Murphy and the Rev. Andrew Coleman have undertaken a diocesan walking fundraiser in support of Christian Aid projects. In 2021, the pair visited all 22 parishes in Cork, Cloyne and Ross Diocese while raising thousands of euro for Christian Aid’s work in Burundi.

The Sierra Leone appeal holds particular significance for both clergy members. Rev Tony Murphy served as a volunteer teacher in eastern Sierra Leone from 1977 to 1979, while Rev Andrew Coleman previously worked for more than twenty years with Christian Aid Ireland before being ordained into local ministry in the Diocese in 2025.

Rev Tony Murphy said:

“The Diocese has previously supported projects tackling poverty overseas, so I’m confident that parishioners will once again respond generously to help communities rebuilding their lives in Sierra Leone.”

Rev Andrew Coleman added:

“During my years with Christian Aid, I saw first-hand the impact these projects can have on communities facing hardship and hunger. Donations made here in Ireland genuinely help families rebuild their lives and create hope for the future.”

The diocesan walk will continue throughout May and June, eventually concluding at St Brendan’s Church in Crookhaven, the most westerly church in the Diocese, so they will have walked the entirety of the Diocese from East to West. Parishioners are invited to join sections of the walk locally and support the appeal through donations and prayer.

You can find more resources on our website.

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Cork, Cloyne and Ross at the General Synod of the Church of Ireland 2026

Posted on May 11, 2026 by mediaccr

The Church of Ireland General Synod 2026 was held in the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle, Co Down from Thursday, 7th May to Saturday, 9th May 2026. For the first time since 2019 members of Synod gathered in person for three full days, concluding on Saturday. In recent years the third day has taken place online.

The beginning of the General Synod was marked as every year with a service, this time in the Synod Hall at the hotel. The preacher was the Bishop of Meath and Kildare, the Most Revd Pat Storey. You can read her sermon in full here.

Following the service, members walked to the Slieve Donard Hotel and Archbishop John McDowell, delivered his Presidential Address. You can read the full text of the Archbishop’s address here.

A total of four Bills have been presented for consideration by the members of General Synod. All bills have passed their first, second, and final stages and were enacted on Saturday morning on the final day of synod. Each Bill is outlined in full in the Bills pamphlet available here.

Helen Arnopp, together with Canon Nicola Halford from the Diocese of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory, proposed Bill No. 2 which sought to to provide clarity and compassion by aligning Constitutional provision and Dignity in Church Life financial provision for when clergy find themselves in a situation where they cannot continue in ministry due to long term ill health. The full report on the Bill can be read here.

This year a total of 12 motions have been received by the Honorary Secretaries of the General Synod. An outline of all motions can be found here.

On Day 1, members of General Synod heard the report of the Church of Ireland Youth Department. On Day 2, the reports of the Representative Church Body, the Board of Education of the General Synod, the Covenant Council, the Standing Committee and the Council for Mission were presented.

On Day 3, the Report of the Pioneer Ministry Council was presented and both, the Very Rev. Nigel Dunne and the Very Rev. Cliff Jeffers spoke on the report. The report of the Liturgical Advisory Committee was seconded by the Very Rev. Susan Green.

A full list of the General Synod proceedings can be found in the General Synod Website News section.

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Three Cork, Cloyne and Ross Churches Leading the Way in Sustainability

Posted on May 8, 2026 by mediaccr

Three parishes from the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross were among those recognised in a new competition encouraging churches to take practical steps to reduce carbon emissions, with the winners announced after the close of business on the opening day of General Synod. The successful projects were among the first to receive support through the Buildings Climate Impact Fund, launched earlier this year by the Representative Church Body and Benefact Trust.

The Ven. Andrew Orr, Youghal Union, the Very Rev. Cliff Jeffers, Ross Union, the Most Rev. John McDowell, Archbishop of Armagh, and the Rev. Kingsley Sutton, Kilgarriffe Union.

A total fund of £300,000 (around €348,000) was made available to support innovative projects aimed at reducing emissions and encouraging more sustainable practices across the Church of Ireland’s property portfolio of more than 1,000 buildings nationwide. The initiative focused on projects that could deliver long-term impact while also demonstrating creativity, measurable environmental benefits and the potential to inspire other parishes.

Among the award recipients was Ross Union of Parishes, where Leap Church was recognised for the installation of heat pumps and solar slates as part of its efforts to improve energy efficiency and sustainability.

Youghal Union of Parishes was also honoured for work at St Mary’s Collegiate Church, where heated pew cushions are being introduced to provide a more energy-efficient way of keeping worshippers warm while reducing overall heating demand within the church building.

Kilgarriffe Union of Parishes was another successful applicant, with Timoleague Church of the Ascension receiving support for the installation of underfloor heating as part of wider sustainability and energy efficiency improvements.

The projects were praised for demonstrating practical and forward-thinking approaches to environmental responsibility while helping parishes reduce energy use and lower their carbon footprint.

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