Today, Thursday 3rd March 2022 at 7pm, bells will sound across Cork City and County to mark the first week of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and to demonstrate our solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Led by the twelve bells of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, the iconic Shandon Bells of St Anne’s Church and the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne, bells will be pealed for five minutes.

The Dean of Cork, the Very Rev. Nigel Dunne comments:

Many people are feeling shocked and unable to help in the face of horrific images of the devastation of war in Ukraine coming to them via all forms of media in the last week. As Christians in the City and County, we hope that, at the very least, people can be helped to show solidarity with and pray for the people and leaders of Ukraine by this simple but powerful initiative. We must always be voices for peace, justice, and sustainability in the world, and openly face down the evils of tyranny and war. This small project carries a powerful message to those who are responsible for the right use of power and wealth in our world.

The chairperson of St Fin Barre’s Quarter Development Committee, Eoin Murphy welcomed the event:

Like many in our community I have been feeling both helpless and horrified by the situation in Ukraine. I hope that this event will provide an opportunity for communal reflection and that the sound of the bells will symbolise our concern for and solidarity with the whole Ukrainian community.

As of this morning, the lead bells will be joined by the following churches and schools, sounding their own bells:

Cork City and Suburbs

St Francis Church, Liberty Street

Holy Trinity Church, Fr Matthew Quay

The Church of the Annunciation, Blackpool

St Oliver’s Church, Ballvolane

Sacred Heart Church, Western Road

St Finbarr’s South Church

St Luke’s Church, Douglas

St Micheal’s Church, Blackrock

Holy Trinity Church, Frankfield

St Mary’s Church, Marmullane, Passage West

County Cork

Church of the Resurrection, Blarney

St Mary’s Church, Carrigaline

St John’s Church, Monkstown

Holy Trinity Church, Crosshaven

Novohal Church

Midleton College

St John the Baptist Church, Midleton

St Michael and All Angels, Corkbeg

St Colman’s Cathedral, Cobh

Christ Church, Rushbrooke, Cobh

St James’s Church, Durrus

Abbeystrewry Church, Skibbereen

St Mary’s Church, Fanlobbus, Dunmanway

St Edmund’s Church, Coolkelure

St Matthew’s Church, Drimoleague

Christ Church, Drinagh

St Peter’s Church, Bandon

St Martin’s Church, Templemartin

Every church or organisation is welcome to join. What to do is very simple:

• Ring the bells for five minutes at 7pm tonight, 3rd March 2022
• Let us know you are taking part by sending a message to the Facebook Page Bells for Ukraine.
• If you can, send a link of your organisation’s website, Facebook Page etc. so that people can see how many churches are taking part.
• If you can, send a video or photos of your bells ringing that can be shared online.
• You can also post your video online and use the hashtag #bellsforukraine