Portrait of the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross to mark 25th Anniversary unveiled

Posted on June 26, 2024 by mediaccr

A portrait of the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Right Rev’d Dr Paul Colton was unveiled last Thursday at the Bishop’s Palace in Cork. The portrait was commissioned by the Diocesan Council of Cork, Cloyne and Ross to mark the Bishop’s 25th anniversary as Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. Bishop Paul is the longest-serving Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross in 400 years and the second longest serving in history, having been elected on January 29, 1999.

The portrait artist is Jack Hickey, a local artist from Cobh, and graduate of the Crawford College of Art & Design in Cork. Jack has had numerous commissions, including portraits of Professor Mary Horgan, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Commodore Hugh Tully, former Flag Officer Commanding of the Irish Naval Service, and Professor Marie Cassidy, former State Pathologist. Jack won several Portrait Prizes, including The Hennessy Portrait Prize 2017, and his paintings have been exhibited in the National Art Gallery of Ireland, among others. 

The portrait was revealed in what will be its new home, the Bishop’s residence, The Bishop’s Palace in Cork, and invited guests in attendance included the Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Colette Finn, the Director of the Crawford Art Gallery, Mary McCarthy, and the Head of MTU Crawford College of Art & Design, Rose McGrath and the members of the Cork, Cloyne and Ross Diocesan Council.

Commenting on his work, Jack said: 

I tried to create a painting that was contemporary and colourful, characteristics that are reflected in the sitter, Bishop Paul. I wanted to create a place and context for the portrait and having Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral in the background was important. We also wanted something that would hang and fit alongside the rest of the portrait collection and I feel we have achieved that.

The artist, Jack Hickey, with his parents and his partner.

Dorothy Verplanke, Honorary Secretary of the Diocesan Council of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, said on behalf of the Council:

Portrait artists not only capture what a person looks like, but they also capture the essence of the person who is their subject. They try to capture personality, and what the person stands for. Jack Hickey captured the Bishop we know and we applaud this beautiful work of great skill, and beautiful art. It will now hang alongside the other portraits of great leaders of our church in this beautiful house.

Mary McCarthy, Director of the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork, commented: 

Portraiture is of immense interest to the public and gives us all an opportunity to look closely at its subject. The act of creation of a portrait depends on a  relationship of trust and communication between the sitter and the artist – in this case artist Jack Hickey has created an extraordinary work of art – one that captures the essence of Bishop Colton in the context of his landscape. We are sure this will be looked at for centuries.

Mary McCarthy, speaking to the guests about the Bishop’s portrait.

Photos: Eoin Murphy

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Annual Choir Barbecue for St Fin Barre’s Cathedral Choir

Posted on June 25, 2024 by mediaccr

The choir year ended in style once again at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral with the annual barbecue for families and friends. The services that day (Sunday 23rd June) had included Sumsion’s They that go down to the sea in ships sung by the boys at the morning Choral Eucharist, and Evening included the canticles by Howells in G and the anthem Te lucis ante terminum by Humphrey Clucas, sung by the girl choristers. 

This year’s barbecue included a bouncy castle for the first time, and both adults and youngsters alike attempted to stay upright. The cathedral’s Director of Music, Peter Stobart thanked the choristers, the Lay Vicars Choral and all of the parents for their hard work throughout the year. 

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Cloyne Union Parish Hall in Midleton renovated for its next 150 years

Posted on June 22, 2024 by mediaccr

Cloyne Union has completed a major restoration of its Parish Hall, a familiar piece of the architectural heritage of Midleton, Co. Cork, located across the road from St John the Baptist Church. The roof was completely re-lathed, re-felted, re-leaded and re-slated by John Cody Carpentry Services with great sensitivity towards the heritage building. The parish is grateful to parishioners who have raised funds for the Hall at whist drives over many years and to the Department of Rural and Community Development for a grant under the Community Centres Investment Fund 2022.

The building is over 150 years old. Viscount Midleton granted the land for a two-room schoolhouse, with adjoining teacher’s residence, and the school opened in 1868. The architect was Henry Hill, who also designed Kilgarrife, Rushbrooke and Coolkellure churches and many other public buildings across the county. Generations of East Cork families were educated at St John the Baptist National School in this building, until the school moved to its current site on Connolly Street in 1980. Since then, the parish has maintained the Hall as a venue for cultural activities (dance, music, crafts, games), support groups (addiction, poverty, refugees), small businesses and – of course – church events, and new enquiries are always welcome.

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New Reader licensed to serve in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Posted on June 21, 2024 by mediaccr

On Sunday, 16th June 2024, during Evensong in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork, the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton, licensed Joanna Griffin as Readers to serve in the diocese. Joanna has completed one of the courses approved by the House of Bishops and was presented to the Bishop by the Rev. Terry Mitchell, Chaplain to the Guild of Lay Ministry. Joanna was joined for the occasion by her husband, the Rev. Eugene Griffin, and clergy and lay people from across the Diocese.

The Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton, and Joanna Griffin after Joanna’s licensing as Diocesan Reader
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Three new Honorary Canons installed at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork

Posted on June 20, 2024 by mediaccr

On Sunday, 16th June 2024, three new Honorary Canons were installed at Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork. The three Canons had been appointed by the Bishop, Dr Paul Colton, back in March 2024.

The Rev. Canon Robert Ferris, the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton, Canon Gillian Kingston, and the Rev. Canon John Ardis.

Mrs Gillian Kingston has been installed as a lay Ecumenical Canon, the Reverend Robert Ferris, Rector of Carrigrohane Union of Parishes has been installed as Honorary Canon Missioner, and the Reverend John Ardis, Rector of Abbeystrewry Union of Parishes has been installed as Honorary Canon with responsibility for vocations in the Diocese.

The three new Canons were joined at the service by some of their family members, by representatives and colleagues of the parishes in which they minister, and by clergy and lay people from all over the Diocese.

The Chapter of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork with Dean Nigel Dunne and Bishop Paul Colton after the service.

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