‘Victoria’ screenwriter, Daisy Goodwin, with West Cork church connections, announced as final speaker for West Cork History Festival

Posted on July 21, 2019 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

The closing speaker of the 2019 West Cork History Festival will be screenwriter and novelist Daisy Goodwin, who wrote the hugely popular TV series Victoria on the life of Queen Victoria. Daisy will speak about writing Victoria and her own West Cork connections.

Daisy is the great-great-great granddaughter of the Rev Robert Traill,  a former Rector of Schull. A complex character, he was a defender of the tithe system. He is best known, however, for his steadfast work among those of all denominations afflicted by the Famine. He raised funds for their relief, administered care, and ultimately paid with his life, when he succumbed to typhus in April 1847. He is depicted in Victoria and Daisy will no doubt speak about him in her contribution to the Festival.

Details of the full programme of this year’s West Cork History Festival are HERE.

Posted in Announcements, Centenaries in Ireland, Church History, Church in Society, Community Involvement, Education, Festivals, Heritage, History, West Cork History Festival | Comments Off on ‘Victoria’ screenwriter, Daisy Goodwin, with West Cork church connections, announced as final speaker for West Cork History Festival

Money raised for vital work on Cobh (Mixed) National School

Posted on July 17, 2019 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

In recent weeks  Cobh Mixed National School, in Cobh, County Cork, held their annual play in their school hall.

Before the event, a cheque for €1200 for the repair and upgrade of the school hall was presented by Tracey Fortune of the school’s Parents’ Association to Harry Bollard, Chair of the Board of Management of the school.

The Parents’ Association led a fundraising campaign for this vital work, which will allow the windows of the school hall to be replaced.

The Rector of Cobh & Glanmire Union of Parishes, The Revd Paul Arbuthnot said:

Many congratulations are due to the Parents’ Association of our parish school for all their hard work in securing funds to upgrade the school hall. We are grateful to all those in the wider Cobh community who contributed so generously to this worthwhile cause.

Harry Bollard, chairperson, Board of Management, receives a cheque from Tracey Fortune.

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Sea Sunday celebrated in Cobh, County Cork

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

On 14th July, the annual Sea Sunday service took place in Christ Church, Rushbrooke, County Cork with a large congregation present.

The Service was attended by a wide range of civic dignitaries including representatives from the Cobh ONE (ex-servicemen) branch, the Royal British Legion, the Royal Naval Association, and the Military Police Association. Also in attendance were Lt Cmdr Gavin McCarthy, Irish Naval Service, and Hendrick Verwey of Cobh Tourism.

The Commodore Male Voice Choir led the music at the service, singing two anthems, ‘Homeward Bound’, and ‘Nearer my God to thee’.

The guest preacher was the Very Revd Dr Houston McKelvey, formerly Dean of Belfast. His sermon spoke of our common bond with the sea, and the importance of the good stewardship of God’s creation.

The officiant at the service was the Rector of Cobh & Glanmire Union of Parishes, the Revd Paul Arbuthnot.

The Revd Paul Arbuthnot, Rector of Cobh & Glanmire Union of Parishes, with the flag bearers at the Sea Sunday service, and the guest preacher, the Very Revd Dr Houston McKelvey

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St Fin Barre’s Cathedral Announces 150th Anniversary Composition Competition

Posted on July 12, 2019 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

In 2020 the current William Burges Cathedral building in Cork, Ireland will be 150 years old. As part of its celebrations and to commemorate this anniversary, St Fin Barre’s Cathedral invites all composers to enter the 150th Anniversary Composition Competition.

This award of €2,000 is for the commission of a new set of Evening Canticles, Magnificat and Nunc dimittis, written for the Cathedral Choir and the Cathedral Organ.

The new work will be premiered at the opening Festival Service of the 150th anniversary year on Sunday 29th November 2020 at 4pm in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, giving the composer a platform to showcase their talent. The work will also be recorded by the Cathedral Choir and Organ on their new CD, which will be produced earlier in the year and launched on Friday 25th September, 2020.

St Fin Barre’s Cathedral Choir, composed of 35 children and 8 adults, has been part of Cork’s culture and tradition since 1328. The service of Evensong forms a central part of the Anglican tradition and is sung twice a week in the Cathedral, at 6.15pm on Fridays and at 3.30pm on Sundays during choir term time. It is fitting that the commission is for music to be sung at that service.

The deadline for entries is 5pm on Friday 29th November 2019.

Further information and application forms are available on the Cathedral’s website:  https://corkcathedral.webs.com/composition-competition

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Annual Blessing of Bonnets in Cobh, County Cork to Remember Deported Women

Posted on July 12, 2019 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

On Thursday 11th July, The Revd Paul Arbuthnot, Rector of Cobh & Glanmire Union of Parishes, alongside Fr John McCarthy, Administrator of St Colman’s Cathedral, Cobh, led the annual Blessing of the Bonnets in Cobh Heritage Centre.

This event, organised by Cobh Tourism, commemorates the 25,556 women who were deported to Australia from the port of Cobh / Queenstown during the 18th and 19th centuries. As a part of this act of remembrance, bonnets representing those women deported were blessed.

The blessing was attended by various civic dignitaries, including Cllr. Cathal Rasmussen, who was deputising for the Mayor of Cork County, and Michael McCormack, President of the Cobh Harbour and Business Chamber. Music was provided by local singer Niamh O’Connor.

There was also a large group of Australian visitors in attendance who had arrived in Cobh on the cruise liner ‘Sea Princess’ during the week.

The Rector of Cobh & Glanmire Union of Parishes, The Revd Paul Arbuthnot, commented:

The blessing of the bonnets is a poignant and moving occasion in the civic life of Cobh. It serves as a reminder of the often painful history of our island and the role that Cobh has in our national story. In such commemorations we are reminded of the importance of remembering those who were forced to emigrate from these shores. It was also a pleasure to be involved in this blessing alongside Fr John McCarthy, Administrator of Cobh Cathedral, and to further cement the excellent ecumenical relations in the town.

The Revd Paul Arbuthnot and Fr John McCarthy bless the bonnets in Cobh Heritage Centre

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