In Ireland’s most southerly Church of Ireland Diocese,  Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the summer holiday months of June, July and August, are one of the busiest times of the year.  ‘Summer only’ churches in holiday villages open up.  Tourists drop by.  There are more Church Services every Sunday than at any other time of the year.  Clergy and lay people alike weigh in with a host of activities.

This photo blog gives you a flavour.

Fêtes and Fundraising

One of the biggest events in many parishes is the summer fête; not only for fundraising to support the work of the local parish, but as a community event.  These are big occasions that, in some cases, involve year round work and preparation by clergy and lay people alike.

In Ballydehob the rector offered himself at the stocks.

 

 

 

The annual Fête at the rectory in Durrus is almost world-famous.  People travel from all over the region to it in the rectory garden, and celebrities such as Graham Norton, have even been spotted on occasions.

 

 

 

 A Coffee Morning and Sale were held in the grounds of the Rectory,  Aherla in the Moviddy Union of Parishes on Saturday, 24th August.

Children’s Clubs and Activities

With school-children on holiday, many children’s clubs are hosted by parishes around the Diocese, including Ross Union, Fanlobbus Union, Templebreedy Group and Carrigaline Union.

Fanlobbus Union held their annual holiday club from the 29th of July to the 2nd August in Cox’s Hall, Dunmanway.  The theme this year was the Adventure Cruise which explored five stories about people from the Bible and the transformation and healing that occurred when they met Jesus.  Over fifty children from the local community attended each day with 12 adult leaders and 18 teenage helpers.  The Bible stories were explored through a variety of crafts, drama, story telling, worksheets, games and puppets. Children’s ministry continues throughout the year in the parish and is open to all of our community. Toddler group, Messy Church, Joy Club (primary school), Sunday School,  Godly Play (for young families in Drinagh) and Youth group along parish activities – badminton, table tennis and bell ringing which are open to the involvement of children and young people.

Adventure Cruise was also the theme in the joint club run by Crosshaven and Carrigaline Parishes. Preparations began for their holiday club in June, including an art day, puppets, action songs and drama practice days.  The annual club ran from the 16^th to the 21^st of July.The club took place in the Canon Mc Crea Hall, St Mary’s National School, Carrigaline.  A week jam-packed with adventure, learning, fun and laughter! ‘The Adventure Cruise’ had them cruising the 5 ’C’s, the ‘C’ of Choice, Courage, Call, Change and Commitment meeting people along the way who had a life changing experiences with Jesus. With almost 50 children each day it was high energy. Leaders enjoyed a night out Tuesday, and a family evening on the Thursday allowed parents and grandparents to experience the fun.

 

On Friday 28th  June, the rectory lawn in Crosshaven was strewn with children and teddies.  A marquee was raised to protect from the sun, in the end a welcome shelter from some drizzle, nevertheless the fun went on. Children enjoyed games and lovely food. Cakes and treats followed by a chocolate fountain with strawberries, jelly and ice-cream was enjoyed.

 

 

 

Summer Activities for All Ages

A Special United Celebration – one event in the 200th anniversary of St Senan’s, Inniscarra  – was held on 2nd June.  This year the  annual parish picnic, also saw the recently installed eco patch, and those present  learned about bee-keeping.  The Adventurers presented their bug hotel to St Senan’s.

 

 

A Seniors Lunch was held in Carrigrohane Union of Parishes.

 

In Fanlobbus Union there was a parish outing to Allihies Copper mine, Drozchen Beare and The Eccles Hotel on 13th July.

In the East of the Diocese, St Declan’s Day and Patronal Festival were marked by a pilgrimage and ‘pattern day’ in Ardmore, County Waterford (the only parish in the Diocese not in County Cork).

 

 

 

 

 

Music and Flowers

At the start of the summer, Music Among the Trees – a lovely concert of local talent – was held in St Senan’s, Inniscarra in aid of Dogs for the Disabled and GOAL.

‘Flowers Among the Trees’ – a beautiful day was hosted by Ballincollig Flower & Garden club in the church and grounds of St Senan’s, Inniscarra on Saturday 8 June.  Proceeds went to Pieta House and Breakthrough Cancer Research.

On Tuesday 20th August, St Mary & All Saints’, Glanmire hosted a concert of local talent as a part of National Heritage Week’.  The concert was organised by the Glanmire Area Community Association and featured performances including string quartets, poetry readings, sean-nós singing, and traditional Irish dancing.

 

 

 St Fin Barre’s Cathedral held a short series of five organ recitals every Friday lunchtime during August. Some of the finest players in the country enjoyed playing Ireland’s largest pipe organ and many of the audience came back week after week to hear every concert.

The first recital was a duet (four hands and four feet!) given by Carole O’Connor and Patrice Keegan from Dublin. Simon Harden, one of the country’s best know organ teachers was the second recitalist. David Grealy of St Mary’s Pro Cathedral played, amongst other pieces, Norman Cocker’s famous Tuba Tune, which was conceived originally for the tuba stop on the cathedral organ. David Leigh from St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin played a complex arrangement of Gershwin jazz themes and finally Rónán Murray from St Joseph’s, Glasthule ended the series with an improvisation on the tune ‘The banks of my own lovely Lee’ to the delight of everyone there!

 

Young People

Fanlobbus Youth Group went on an outing to Tayto Park on 17th July.

 

The Cork Diocesan Youth Council (CDYC) was busy over the summer months also.

In June, CDYC took a group to Whitegate to an eco friendly glamping site.  It was a fabulous few days of relaxing, silent Cisco’s, pizza making classes, surfing and coastal sea walking as well as sessions with our guest speaker, Steve Gresham, from CIYD.   The weather was amazing. It was a good start to the Summer holidays for our teens after the stresses of exams and school.

 

 

The Diocesan Youth Officer, Hilda Connolly, was at Summer Madness to lend a hand at the CIYD Connect Cafe.

The Diocesan Youth Officer, Hilda Connolly together with some young youth leaders in the Diocese attended a new 5 day event called MOVE which was held in Clongowes school in Kildare.

Church Services

In July there was Confirmation in Ballydehob.

On 1st September, just as the schools were going back and summer was turning to autumn, there was Confirmation in Kinsale.

To mark Mary Sumner Day (Mary Sumner was the founder of the Mothers’ Union) on 9th August,  there was Diocesan Mothers Union Service at St. Mary’s Church, Dunmanway.

 

 

 

Bishop

The Bishop had a varied and busy summer also.  There were confirmations also throughout June, as well as Diocesan Synod, and the arrival of the new Roman Catholic Bishop of Cork and Ross.

 

The consecration of Bishop Gavin provided an opportunity for a reunion in Cork of some of the members of the International Colloquium of Anglican and Roman Catholic Canon Lawyers.

In August, the Bishop and Mrs Colton were given the opportunity by parishioners to make a nautical tour of some of the islands off the coast of the Diocese.  This coincided also with the 40th anniversary of the Fastnet Race disaster in 1979.  Cape Clear was also visited, as were some parishioner living and working on Heir Island.

 

 

 

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dr John Sheehan made the Lord Mayor’s annual courtesy visit to the Bishop during August.

The Bishop’s summer season also ended on an ecumenical note.  He attended at lunch at the Bishop’s Palace in Cobh, and the Centenary Mass of the Cathedral Church of Saint Colman, Cobh in the Diocese of Cloyne.

 

School Appointments

School boards of management were busy throughout the summer also.  Five schools recruited appointed new principals.

 

Comings and Goings

A Special Assortment!

In the course of the Bishop’s summer visits to the islands in Roaringwater Bay, the Assistant Diocesan Registrar, Mr John Jermyn Jnr, was seen taking a mighty dive from a height at Skeam West.

A Garden Party was held at the Glebe Gardens, Baltimore to mark the launch of the Bicentennial celebrations for St. Matthew’s, Tullagh (Baltimore).  St. Fachtna’s Silver Band was in attendance to provide wonderful music for the celebrations.

The Reverend Cliff Jeffers met Raspberry the snake at the newly opened Scruffies Pet Shop in Dunmanway on the 10th August.

 

As a Diocese we rejoiced with the Reverend Robert and Mrs Noelle Ferris on the occasion of their marriage.

 

 

For 10 Days in July, the Reverend Hazel Minion (NSM based in Douglas Union of Parishes) joined the Reverend Aaron McAllister, Mrs Noreen Hurst and the Right Reverend Trevor Williams in a CMSI visit to Dr Keith and Mrs Lyn Scott who are the Douglas Union with Frankfield Link Mission Partners in Kitwe in the Diocese of Northern Zambia.  The visitors had an input to teaching and ministry in and around St John’s Theological Seminary where the Scotts are based.

Diocesan Synod

Looking back over the summer, the Diocesan Synod on 8th June seems a long time ago!

All in all it has been a busy, jolly and varied summer in Cork, Cloyne and Ross!