St Anne’s Church, Shandon Secures Over €180,000 for Conservation and Heritage Projects

Posted on June 18, 2026 by mediaccr

St Anne’s Church, Shandon has secured more than €180,000 in grant funding to support a major programme of conservation and heritage works taking place throughout 2026. The funding is provided through Cork City Council, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Heritage Council, and will support a range of projects aimed at preserving one of Cork’s most recognisable landmarks while improving accessibility and deepening understanding of its rich history.

The programme includes repairs to the church’s front steps, waterproofing works to the bell tower, conservation and monitoring of historic windows, a feasibility study examining access and visitor interpretation, and the beginning of a conservation study of the historic Green Coat School collection.

Many of these grants require significant matching contributions from the parish itself, meaning that the continued support of visitors, donors and the wider community remains essential in helping these projects become a reality.

James Burke Architects will oversee the works as conservation architect, while Hearthstone Building & Restoration will carry out the conservation works on site.

Caring for a Living Landmark

Building on a successful year of conservation projects in 2025, this latest funding will help ensure that St Anne’s continues to serve as both a place of worship and a treasured part of Cork’s architectural and cultural heritage.

Among the largest projects is the waterproofing of the iconic bell tower, helping to safeguard the structure against one of the greatest threats to historic buildings: water ingress. Conservation works will also focus on the church’s stained-glass windows, including ongoing monitoring of the East Window depicting the Transfiguration.

Alongside physical conservation work, St Anne’s will begin a study of the Green Coat School collection, which includes historic books dating back to the sixteenth century and the well-known lead statues Bob and Joan, preserving an important chapter in Shandon’s history.

A feasibility study on accessibility, usability and interpretation will also help shape future improvements, ensuring that the church’s heritage can be enjoyed and understood by as many people as possible.

Rev. Meghan Farr, Priest-in-Charge of St Anne’s Shandon, welcomed the announcement:

“This summer marks another chapter in our commitment to caring for St Anne’s, not just as a building, but as a living part of Cork’s story. Each project is an investment in preserving the heritage of Shandon for future generations, and we are deeply grateful to our funders and to everyone who continues to support the church.”

Learn More

A full breakdown of the projects, funding streams, and conservation plans is available on the St Anne’s Shandon website.

Read the original article here.

Those wishing to support the ongoing conservation of St Anne’s Shandon can also make a donation through the church’s fundraising campaign. Every contribution helps preserve this historic landmark for future generations.

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Two new priests ordained in the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Posted on June 14, 2026 by mediaccr

On Saturday, 13th June 2026, the Rev. Jean Taylor and the Rev. Alan Howe were ordained to the priesthood by the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Rev. Dr Michael Jackson.

As the See of Cork, Cloyne and Ross is presently vacant following the retirement of the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton, Archbishop Michael Jackson travelled to Cork to conduct the ordinations on behalf of the Church of Ireland.

The Archbishop presided at the liturgy, and the former Archbishop of Armagh, the Right Rev. Richard Clarke preached at the service. The Lay Vicars Choral of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral Choir sung under their Director of Music, Peter Stobart. The Rev. Martin Steele, Dean’s Vicar at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, sang the Litany.

Jean and Alan were presented for ordination by the Archdeacon, the Ven. Andrew Orr, as well as their respective sponsors. Parishioners, family and friends from all over the Diocese, as well as Diocesan Readers and clergy came to the cathedral to support them on this special day.

Captain Alan J. Howe

Alan Howe lives near Kilbrittain. He is the second son of the late James and Violet Howe. He has four siblings; two brothers live locally and the third lives in Dublin. His sister Jane is married to Canon Patrick Harvey who is Rector of Abbeyleix and Killermogh Union of Parishes. Alan is married to Olivia (nee Travers) and they have three children. Amy and Adam are in London, Rosie and Ian live near Ballylickey. Alan is a parishioner of Bandon Union of Parishes but has close family links to both Holy Trinity, Templetrine and the Church of the Ascension in Timoleague. He went to the National School in Timoleague. He attended Bandon Grammar School and Newtown School, Waterford. He was confirmed in Waterford Cathedral by Bishop John Armstrong in 1970. After leaving school in 1973 Alan was accepted for training as a Cadet within the Shell fleet. It was a career that was to span twenty-four years during which he attained a Certificate of Competency as Master Mariner. His first command in the fleet was in 1992. He joined Ostensjo Rederi AS in 1998, a company which provided marine services within the Port of Cork. He joined Fendercare Marine in 2002 as Berthing Master. Alan’s final career change occurred in 2007 when he joined Chevron Shipping as a Mooring Master. He worked in Nigeria and Angola and achieved the position of Senior Mooring Master before returning to the San Francisco office as Marine Superintendent, Terminal Advisor and Auditor. He retired in 2021 having completed forty seven years of marine service. Alan was licensed as a Diocesan Lay Reader by Bishop Robert Warke in 1998, was recommended by Bishop Paul Colton for training for Ordained Local Ministry in 2023 and ordained deacon in 2025. He will continue to serve as Ordained Local Minister in Bandon Union of Parishes.

Jean Taylor

Jean Taylor was born in the UK and has had a varied career, working in the Civil Service as a Judges’ Clerk in the County Court and then as an Editorial Assistant at the Sunday Telegraph in Fleet Street and subsequently in Canary Wharf. In 2004 Jean moved to Cobh and worked for Charles Daly, Solicitor. Then, from 2007 she worked at Fota Wildlife Park. During this time she qualified as a zookeeper and worked on the animal care team. She spent the last years before her retirement overseeing the Tropical house where she was responsible for the care of reptiles, fish and the sloths. One of the highlights of her career was hand rearing two cheetah cubs rejected by their mother. Jean has been a parishioner at Christ Church, Rushbrook, Cobh since 2019 and became a Church Warden in 2022. She also worships at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral. Feeling a call to Ordination she spent time in discernment and reflection and, having been encouraged by her Rector, she was accepted for training to the Ordained Local Ministry. Jean embarked on the training course at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute in 2023 and was ordained deacon in 2025. She will continue to serve as Ordained Local Minister in Cobh and Glanmire Union of Parishes.

With special thanks to Eoin Murphy, Operations Manager at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, for the photographs.

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Two new priests to be ordained in the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Posted on June 6, 2026 by mediaccr

The Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Reverend Dr Michael Jackson, will travel to Cork on Saturday 13th June 2026 to ordain two new priests for ministry in the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. The Ordination Service will take place in Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork, and will commence at 4pm.

The Rev. Jean Taylor and the Rev. Alan Howe after their ordination to the diaconate in June 2025.

The two candidates to be ordained are the Rev. Jean Taylor and the Rev. Alan Howe, who were ordained to the diaconate in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral last June and are currently serving in parishes across the Diocese. The Rev. Jean Taylor serves in Cobh and Glanmire Union of Parishes, while the Rev. Alan Howe serves in Bandon Union of Parishes.

As the See of Cork, Cloyne and Ross is presently vacant following the retirement of the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton, Archbishop Michael Jackson will conduct the ordinations on behalf of the Church of Ireland.

Ordination to the priesthood marks a significant stage in ordained ministry, authorising priests to preside at the Holy Communion and undertake the full range of sacramental and pastoral responsibilities within the life of the Church.

Clergy, parishioners, family members and friends from across Cork, Cloyne and Ross are expected to gather for this joyful occasion. Anyone wishing to attend the service will be most welcome to do so, and all are invited to join in supporting and praying for Jean and Alan as they begin this new chapter of their ordained ministry.

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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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