A year of celebrations for the bicentenary of the consecration of St Mary’s Church in Carrigaline concluded last Wednesday, 7th February 2024, with a service of Choral Evensong, exactly 200 years after the consecration of the church, on 7th February 1824. The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, the Most Rev. John McDowell travelled to Carrigaline to preach at the service. The Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Right Rev. Dr Paul Colton, also dedicated a new Reredos, Credence Table and the Bicentennial Quilt at the service. Afterwards the two Bishops planted an oak tree in the church grounds to mark Bishop Colton’s 25th anniversary as Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.

St Mary’s Church was full for the event with members of the parish as well as clergy, readers and visitors from across the diocese. The Choir of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral was invited to sing Evensong conducted by Peter Stobart, Director of Music at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, and St Mary’s National School Choir also attended to sing an anthem led by Matthew Breen, Assistant Director of Music at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, who visits the school weekly as part of the Diocesan Church Music Scheme. Members of the Select Vestry led the prayers, and Diocesan Reader Simon Woodworth and the Rev. Richard Dring read the lessons.

As part of his visit to Cork, Archbishop McDowell also visited St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, where he had a tour with Barry Twomey, Cathedral Administrator, and saw the maquette collection curated by Orla O’Byrne, Artist in Residence. In the afternoon, Bishop Colton and Archbishop McDowell travelled to Midleton College, where the Archbishop participated in a Q&A about the Northern Ireland Assembly with Leaving Certificate students of the Politics and Society class, and had lunch with them afterwards.

Photos: Eoin Murphy @artfotoglobal