St Fin Barre’s Cathedral will host four visiting organists during the month of August. Each Friday at 1.10pm there will be a recital lasting for around 50 minutes in the cathedral, and audience members will be able to see the performer in detail on the screen in the nave.
Jean-René André from Rennes Cathedral in France will begin the series on 7th August with with an entirely French programme, including works by Lully, Balbastre, Saint-Saëns, Widor, and Gigout.
The other recitalists are Stefan Donner (Vienna), Peter Barley (Limerick), and Stéphane Eliot (Nice, France).
Tickets can be purchased on the door, or on the cathedral website – www.stfinbarres.ie
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After eight weeks, twenty organised walks and visits to every parish across the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Liloma Journey of Hope came to a joyful conclusion last Sunday, 5th July 2026, with a service of Compline in St Brendan’s Church, Crookhaven, the most westerly church in the Diocese.
Beginning on 14 May at St Mary’s Collegiate Church, Youghal, the Diocese’s most easterly church, the pilgrimage took the Revd Tony Murphy and the Revd Andrew Coleman through all 22 parishes of the Diocese. Along the way they met parishioners, shared the story of the Liloma Project in Sierra Leone, walked in solidarity with communities rebuilding their lives after conflict, and encouraged support for Christian Aid and the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal.
The journey concluded having raised an estimated more than €7,500, with further donations still to be counted.
Walking in Hope
The Liloma Project is a partnership between the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross and Christian Aid Ireland.
Liloma, meaning “hope” in the Mende language of Sierra Leone, supports women in Upper Malen Chiefdom as they rebuild livelihoods following the loss of two thirds of arable land to a Palm Oil Multinational leading many families without reliable access to farmland or stable sources of income.
Working through the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone, the project strengthens women’s savings groups into enterprise clusters, providing training, practical support and opportunities to develop sustainable livelihoods. By helping women establish secure incomes, the project enables families to provide food, education and stability for future generations while contributing to peace and reconciliation within their communities.
Throughout the Journey of Hope, Tony and Andrew explained the work of the project in each parish, inviting participants to walk as a visible expression of solidarity with sisters and brothers in Sierra Leone.
From East to West
The pilgrimage stretched from the shores of Youghal to the rugged coastline of West Cork, with every parish offering its own distinctive welcome.
There were presentations in parish halls and churches, walks through towns, villages and woodland paths, opportunities to visit local schools, and countless conversations over tea and refreshments. Parishioners joined for short sections or longer walks, learning more about the Liloma Project and the difference their support can make.
Among the many memorable moments were a walk through Ballybrack Woods following services in Douglas, a stroll around Rosscarbery Lagoon, the ringing of the Sam Maguire Bells in Dunmanway, generous hospitality across West Cork, and the final walk into Crookhaven before Compline in St Brendan’s Church.
The campaign was formally launched in Youghal by the Mayor of Cork County, Cllr Mary Lenihan Foley, together with Archdeacon Andrew Orr, now Bishop-elect of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.
More Than a Fundraiser
While fundraising formed an important part of the initiative, the organisers emphasised that the walks were about much more than financial support.
The Revd Tony Murphy explained:
“Our objectives in visiting each parish were threefold: to help people understand the Liloma Project, to walk in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Sierra Leone, and to encourage support for the work. The generosity we have encountered throughout the Diocese has been deeply heartening, and the welcome we received everywhere has been quite extraordinary.”
For Tony, the project carries particular significance, having served as a volunteer teacher in Sierra Leone from 1977 to 1979. Andrew also brought considerable experience to the initiative, having worked with Christian Aid Ireland for more than twenty years before his ordination to local ministry.
Reflecting on the completion of the pilgrimage, Andrew Coleman said:
“Reaching Crookhaven after visiting every parish across the Diocese was a wonderful way to conclude the Journey of Hope. Everywhere we went we experienced tremendous generosity, hospitality and encouragement. It has been a privilege to walk alongside so many people while sharing the story of Liloma and standing in solidarity with communities in Sierra Leone. We are immensely grateful to everyone who welcomed us, walked with us and supported this appeal.”
A Diocese Walking Together
The Journey of Hope demonstrated once again the generosity and commitment of parishes across Cork, Cloyne and Ross in supporting communities beyond our own shores. By walking together, participants not only raised vital funds but also strengthened the partnership between the Diocese, Christian Aid Ireland, the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal and the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone.
As further donations continue to be received, the final total will be announced in due course. Every contribution will help women in Upper Malen Chiefdom build sustainable livelihoods, support their families and create new opportunities for future generations. Liloma means hope. Over the past eight weeks, that hope has been carried, quite literally, from the easternmost to the westernmost corner of the Diocese, one step at a time.
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The Dean of Cloyne, the Very Rev. Susan Green reflects on helping to host the Anglican Communion in Belfast
As the nineteenth meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC-19) concluded in Belfast, members of the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross played an important part not only in the Council’s discussions, but also in the planning and delivery of this significant gathering of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Hosted by the Church of Ireland from 27 June to 5 July, ACC-19 brought together bishops, clergy and lay representatives from across the Anglican Communion under the theme “Called to One Hope“ (Ephesians 4:4-6). Throughout the week, delegates shared in worship, Bible study, discussion and decision-making while exploring some of the most pressing issues facing the Church today, including creation care, safeguarding, reconciliation, migration, discipleship and the future life of the Anglican Communion. Consideration was also given to the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals, which seek to strengthen relationships across the Communion while reflecting its growing diversity.
Among those from Cork, Cloyne and Ross involved in the gathering was the Very Revd Susan Green, Dean of Cloyne, who served as a member of the Church of Ireland planning group responsible for organising ACC-19.
For more than two years, Dean Green worked alongside colleagues across the Church of Ireland in preparing every aspect of the conference. This included planning the liturgies for the daily programme of Morning Prayer, Lunchtime Eucharists and Evening Prayer, as well as helping to coordinate the many practical arrangements required to welcome delegates from across the Anglican Communion.
During the conference itself, members of the Church of Ireland host team worked throughout the week to support delegates, coordinating airport arrivals and departures, assisting with the programme and facilitating a wide range of events. They also helped organise the pilgrimage day to Derry/Londonderry, where delegates learned about the Church’s ministry of peace and reconciliation, and arranged a varied programme of evening fringe events celebrating the culture and heritage of Ireland, including walking tours of Belfast, linen painting, St Brigid’s Cross making and visits to sites associated with C.S. Lewis.
Reflecting on ACC-19, the Very Rev. Susan Green said:
ACC-19 was an extraordinary experience. It was a privilege to worship, pray and deliberate alongside Anglicans from across the Communion, hearing about the many different contexts in which the Church serves around the world. The Nairobi-Cairo Proposals prompted thoughtful and hopeful discussion about the future of our life together, while themes such as climate change were woven throughout the conference. It was particularly encouraging to see Andrew sharing our Diocese’s Communion Forest initiative as part of those conversations. The week concluded with a joyful Eucharist in St Anne’s Cathedral, followed by a closing dinner, bringing to an end a remarkable gathering of the worldwide Anglican family.
Also representing the Diocese were Helen Arnopp, a member of the Representative Church Body Executive Committee, and Bishop-elect Canon Andrew Orr, who contributed to a presentation on the Anglican Communion’s response to climate change. The full report on it can be found here.
The Irish Team with the Archbishop of Canterbury (centre left) including Bishop-elect Canon Andrew Orr and the Very Rev. Susan Green (first and second from the right). Photo Credit: Neil Turner / ACC-19
The Council concluded with the passing of a number of resolutions and elections to the Standing Committee before delegates gathered in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, for the Closing Eucharist. The service was celebrated by Archbishop Hosam Naoum, Primate of Jerusalem and the Middle East, with the sermon preached by Archbishop Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury. Delegates were then commissioned to return to their own provinces, carrying forward the conversations, friendships and shared commitment to the Church’s mission that had characterised the week together.
ACC-19 reflected the remarkable breadth of the Anglican Communion, bringing together representatives from churches serving in widely differing contexts across the world. Through worship, conversation and shared discernment, delegates explored how Anglicans can continue to learn from one another while remaining united in their common calling to proclaim the Gospel and serve their communities. For Cork, Cloyne and Ross, it was a privilege both to contribute to those conversations and to play a part in welcoming the Anglican Communion to the island of Ireland.
The United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross have been well represented at the nineteenth meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC-19), which took place in Belfast from 28 June to 4 July 2026.
The Irish Team with the Archbishop of Canterbury (centre left) including Bishop-elect Canon Andrew Orr and the Very Rev. Susan Green (first and second from the right). Photo Credit: Neil Turner / ACC-19
The Anglican Consultative Council is one of the four Instruments of Communion of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Meeting every three years, it brings together bishops, clergy and lay representatives from across the Communion to worship together, strengthen relationships and discuss the mission and ministry of the Church in today’s world. This year’s gathering focused on themes including discipleship, reconciliation, peace building, mission and creation care, bringing together Anglicans from more than 165 countries.
Among those representing the Church of Ireland and in particular the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross was Bishop-elect Canon Andrew Orr, who contributed to a session exploring the Anglican Communion’s response to climate change. Canon Orr shared one of the Diocese’s own initiatives, through which a tree is planted for every person confirmed, offering a practical example of how local churches can care for creation while marking significant moments in the life of faith. His presentation formed part of a wider conversation on how churches across the Anglican Communion are responding to the environmental challenges facing the world.
The Ven. Andrew Orr, Archdeacon and Bishop-elect of Cork, Cloyne and Ross in the Church of Ireland speaks during the Global Conversations Environment session on Day 3 of the nineteenth Anglican Consultative Conference held at the Assembly Buildings Conference Centre in Belfast. Tuesday 30 June 2026. Photo: Neil Turner for ACO
Andrew was accompanied by his wife, the Very Rev. Susan Green, who previously represented the Diocese at ACC-18 in Ghana in 2023, continuing Cork, Cloyne and Ross’s longstanding participation in the life of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Also attending ACC-19 was Helen Arnopp, who participated in her role as a member of the Representative Church Body Executive Committee.
The Diocese was pleased to be represented at this important gathering of the worldwide Anglican Communion and to contribute to discussions on the Church’s mission and ministry in the years ahead.
The choir year ended in style once again at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral with the annual barbecue for families and friends. The services that day, Sunday 21st June, had included Jonathan’s Dove’s Missa brevis and John Ireland’s Greater love sung by the girls at the morning Choral Eucharist, and Evensong included the canticles by Stanford in B flat and the anthem Evening Hymn by Balfour Gardiner, sung by the boy choristers.
This year’s barbecue included a bouncy castle, back by popular demand, and both adults and youngsters alike attempted to stay upright. The cathedral’s Director of Music, Peter Stobart thanked the choristers, the Lay Vicars Choral and all of the parents for their hard work throughout the year. Mr Matthew Breen, Assistant Director of Music, was also thanked for his three and a half years of service. Matthew is moving to Bradford Cathedral, UK in September and we wish him well.
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