Archbishop of Armagh Joins in Bandon Celebrations of 400 Years of Worship on the Present Church Site

On Sunday, 5th October the parishioners of Bandon and the Bishop of Cork were joined by friends from around the Diocese, ecumenical guests, civic leaders and also the Archbishop of Armagh to celebrate 400 years of worship on the present Church of Ireland church site at Ballymodan in the town.

The Most Reverend Dr Richard Clarke, a former rector of the Parish, was invited by the Bishop of Cork, Dr Paul Colton and the Rector of Bandon, the Reverend Denis MacCarthy to return to preach on this occasion of celebration. The Bishop presided at the Eucharist. The congregation was joined by representatives of other churches in the town, by the Mayor of Cork County, Cllr Alan Coleman, County Councillors, local TDs, Deirdre Clune, MEP, and representatives of An Garda Síochána, schools and voluntary groups. The liturgy included a broad repertoire of music for the occasion from the children’s choir, the choir, and soloists conducted by Colin Nicholls with Antoinette Baker as organist. After the Service, hospitality was extended to everyone at Bandon Grammar School where the Archbishop was presented with a gift and asked to cut a cake.

Pictured celebrating 400 years of Divine worship at St Peter’s Church at Ballymodan, Bandon, Co Cork were the clergy and readers who attended the Service with from front left the Reverend David White, Curate, Cllr Alan Coleman MCC Mayor of Cork County, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork Cloyne and Ross, the Archbishop of Armagh the Most Reverend Dr Richard Clarke and the Reverend Denis MacCarthy, Rector of Bandon. Photo: Denis Boyle

l-r at the Bandon 400 celebrations: the Reverend David White (Curate), the Reverend Denis MacCarthy (Rector), Councillor Alan Coleman, Mayor of Cork County, the Most Reverend Dr Richard Clarke, Archbishop of Armagh, and the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork. Photo: Denis Boyle

l-r at the reception afterwards at Bandon Grammar School were: Cllr Kevin Murphy, Deirdre Clune, MEP, the Archbishop of Armagh, the Bishop and the Rector. Photo: Denis Boyle