St Fin Barre’s Cathedral Choir visits St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick

Posted on November 19, 2024 by mediaccr

On Sunday 17th November, the choir of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral travelled to St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick and sang the Sunday services together with their choir. 

The combined choirs of St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick and St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork, together with the Bishop of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe, the Right Rev. Michael Burrows, the Dean of Limerick, the Very Rev. Niall Sloane, and the Dean’s Vicar of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, the Rev. Martin Steele.

They sang Mozart’s Missa brevis in D, with Matthew Breen from Cork at the organ and conducted by Peter Barley of Limerick. Peter Stobart from Cork conducted Bairstow’s anthem Let all mortal flesh keep silence. Evensong was attended by the Bishop of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe, the Right Rev. Michael Burrows and included Stanford in A and Benjamin Britten’s A hymn of St Columba. 

The cathedral generously laid on a hot lunch for their visitors, and the Very Rev’d Niall Sloane, Dean of Limerick, welcomed the choir and the Dean’s Vicar, the Rev’d Martin Steele, who had also travelled from Cork with the choir.  

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Organists’ Workshop at St Fachtna’s Cathedral, Rosscarbery

Posted on November 14, 2024 by mediaccr

On Saturday 9th November, organists from across the Diocese gathered in St Fachtna’s Cathedral, Rosscarbery for a session with Peter Stobart, Director of Music at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork. 

Hymn playing was central to the afternoon, and discussions were had about suitable introductions and tempos, and how best to use pedals for those who were hesitant. Peter also talked about choosing alternative tunes when necessary, and about choosing suitable hymns for different times of the year. He had also prepared a selection of voluntaries for the smaller organ, and for those without pedals. 

Eunice Jeffers, the organist of Ross Cathedral said:

Our organists faithfully lead us in worship in churches all across our diocese each week but they rarely have an opportunity to meet up, so this event was both encouraging and educational. As well as benefiting from Peter’s knowledge and teaching skills, it was a wonderful opportunity to meet with fellow organists, compare notes and learn from each other’s experiences.  


If you would like find out more or be added to the mailing list for future training days, please email either Peter Stobart or Eunice Jeffers.

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‘Curry in a Hurry’ Mothers’ Union Cookbook for 1st Years at the National Maritime College

Posted on November 6, 2024 by mediaccr

On Monday, 4th November 2024, the Church of Ireland chaplain to the National Maritime College of Ireland in Ringaskiddy, the Rev. Canon Elaine Murray, together with Hilary Dring, the Mothers’ Union Diocesan President, distributed the useful MU ‘Curry in a Hurry’ cookbooks to all the 1st years in the college.

On Facebook, the NMCI wrote:

A very warm thank you to Revd Canon Elaine Murray, Church of Ireland Chaplain to NMCI, and Hilary Dring, Diocesan President of the Mothers’ Union, for their thoughtful visit to NMCI today. They gifted our 1st-year students with eighty Curry in a Hurry cookbooks, packed with easy-to-follow recipes using wholesome ingredients—perfect for students living away from home. This practical resource will undoubtedly be a valuable addition to their kitchens, helping them cook with confidence (…).

Our thanks to Revd Canon Elaine and Hilary for their support and kindness towards our students today.

You can see the original Facebook post here.

Photos: NMCI Facebook

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Annual Civic Harvest Festival at St Anne’s Church, Shandon

Posted on November 5, 2024 by mediaccr

St Anne’s Church, Shandon held its annual Civic Harvest Service on Sunday 27th October as part of the Cork Jazz Festival. This was the 15th year of the annual event and the church was delighted to welcome back Carrigtwohill Gospel Choir and also the Dutch Brass Band Lamarotte. 

Reflecting on the service, the Rev. Meghan Farr said:

It was wonderful to celebrate 15 years of hosting this much loved service at St Anne’s Shandon. Having Bishop Colton there to preach and to recognize his 25 years as Bishop of the Diocese made it all the more special! We were also delighted to welcome many guests including the Lord Mayor Cllr. Dan Boyle, Senator Jerry Buttimer, and Fiona Collins, Chair of the Cork Jazz committee. 

All produce was donated to Cork Penny Dinners. 

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Songs of Praise Service at St Fachtna’s Cathedral, Rosscarbery

Posted on November 1, 2024 by mediaccr

On Sunday 27th October, a Songs of Praise service was held in the Cathedral Church of St Fachtna in Rosscarbery. The Dean of Ross, the Very Rev’d Cliff Jeffers had invited Peter Stobart to choose the hymns and to speak about them. Peter is the Director of Music at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral in Cork and he drew on his past experiences and varying musical interests in his talk. His first choices discussed early hymns as ways of singing psalms, west gallery choirs and the Wesley family. He then moved onto the composers Herbert Howells and Hubert Parry, and finally the process of selecting hymns and appropriate tunes. The service ended with ‘Abide with me’, noting that, if evening services disappear completely, then so will the opportunities to sing many of the great evening hymns. 

Reflecting on the recent Songs of Praise service, Dean Cliff Jeffers said:

It was wonderful to have Peter Stobart with us last Sunday evening, bringing his musical skills and perspective to our monthly Songs of Praise Service. Over twenty people from seven different parishes enjoyed hearing how our hymn singing tradition has evolved during the centuries from before the reformation up to more recent times.

The next Songs of Praise will be held on Sunday 24th November at 7pm in St Fachtna’s Cathedral, Rosscarbery when the Rev’d Eugene Griffin from Kinsale Union will be the guest speaker. 

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