Late last year – 2020 – Mrs Freda Salter Townshend – organist in the Church of Saint Barrahane, Castletownshend, County Cork for the previous 21 years, retired. From 2004 Freda was also organist in Abbeystrewry Parish Church in Skibbereen. Before moving to Abbeystrewry Parish she was also organist of Snave Church near Bantry, while she was a teacher at Saint Brendan’s National School in Bantry.

Recently, the rector, the Rev. John Ardis thanked Freda for her valued ministry in the Church. He paid tribute to the time and energy she gave in enhancing the liturgy so well over the years.

The rector said:

Music is a very important part of liturgy. Over the years Freda has given comfort to mourners at Funeral services and joy to those being married or celebrating baptisms.  I would like to thank her for her generosity, for all the practice and planning she has given.  We are all grateful for the huge dedication Freda has shown to the life of the Church.

Freda was presented with flowers by the rector as a token of the parishes’ appreciation of her ministry throughout the years.