Latest News from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Messy Church Training Day in Rosscarbery

Posted on May 31, 2014 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

A great training event Messy Church Fiesta took place in the Cathedral Hall in Rosscarbery on Saturday 24th May. The day was led by Jane Leadbetter of Messy Church which is part of Bible Reading Fellowship.

Messy Church

is a way of ‘being Church’ for families involving fun
is a church, not a craft club, that helps people encounter Jesus as Lord and Saviour
is found across the world
values are about being Christ-centred, for all ages, based on creativity,hospitality and celebration

The ‘Messy Fiesta Group’ at the Training Day

There are now four churches in Cork, Cloyne and Ross involved in ‘Messy Church’ – Skibbereen, Rosscarbery, Clonakilty and Carrigrohane – and some others about or planning to start Messy Church.

Posted in Children's Work, Church Services, Continuing Ministerial Education, Diocese, Lay Ministry, Parish News, Training Event | Comments Off

Tripadvisor Award for St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork

Posted on May 22, 2014 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

On Thursday, 22nd May, Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral Cork received the good news that it had been awarded a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence. The award, which honours hospitality excellence, is given only to places that consistently achieve outstanding traveller reviews on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide.

When selecting Certificate of Excellence winners, TripAdvisor uses a proprietary algorithm to determine the honorees that takes into account reviews ratings. Businesses must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, volume and recency of reviews. Additional criteria include a business’ tenure and popularity ranking on the site.

The Dean of Cork, Very Revd Nigel Dunne, commented today:

This is a fitting tribute to the dedication of our staff and volunteers, all of whom offer a warm welcome and quality experience for tourist and pilgrim alike. I am also grateful to all those of our visitors who take the trouble to leave feedback on Tripadvisor.

Posted in Cathedral, Church in Society, Community Involvement, Diocese, Special Events | Comments Off

Extension to St Multose National School, Kinsale opened by Bishop Paul Colton

Posted on May 21, 2014 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

On Friday, 16th May, the Bishop of Cork, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton visited St Multose National School, Kinsale, County Cork, to open a substantial new extension to the school. Prior to the opening the pupils and teachers led a Service of Thanksgiving in the adjacent parochial hall at which they were joined by parents and representatives of the local community.

The Principal of the School, Ms Fiona Giles, welcomed everyone, and both she and the chairperson of the Board, Mr John Stanley paid tribute to all in the school community who had worked so hard to achieve two such extensions to the school in a relatively short period of time. During the morning the school community also took the opportunity to say a very sincere ‘thank you’ to the rector, Canon David Williams, and to wish him well on his forthcoming retirement.

Watched by pupils and parents from St Multose National School, Kinsale, Bishop Paul Colton cuts the ribbon to mark the opening of the new extension to the school. Included in the photograph are the Mayor of Kinsale, Cllr Tony Cierans (left), the chairperson of the Board of Management, Mr John Stanley (second left), the school principal, Ms Fiona Giles (third left at back) and right, Canon David Williams, Rector of Kinsale. (Photo: Brian O’Reilly)

Here is a gallery of photos from the day thanks to photographer Brian O’Reilly:

: The anticipation

: The preparations

: The Bishop chats with Mrs Rossalyn Williams

: Canon Williams arrives

: Chatting with the pupils

: More chatting

: And more chatting

: Lots of chatting

: And even more chatting

: Canon Williams and the Bishop

: A lively musical start to the Service

: Recorders

: The Bishop greets the school

: Canon Williams leads the opening prayer

: Singing

: Poems

: More Singing

: Action songs

: Taking part in the Service helped by Ms Giles

: An action poem

: The School Principal, Ms Fiona Giles, makes her speech

: The Bishop, Canon Williams and Mr John Stanley

: The Bishop unveils the plaque

: The Bishop, Mr Nigel Sweetnam, Mr John Stanley and Cllr Fred Treacy

: Fred Treacy, John Stanley and Canon Williams

: Our ecumenical guests

: Refreshments outside on a sunny day

: A special retirement cake for Canon Williams

: The Reverend Peter Hanna and Mr Wilfred Baker, Secretary of the Diocesan Board of Education

Posted in Children's Work, Community Involvement, Diocese, Parish News, Schools in the Diocese, Special Events | Comments Off

New Principal Announced for Bandon Grammar School

Posted on May 20, 2014 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

The Board of Directors of Bandon Grammar School are delighted to announce that Ian Coombes, headmaster of Kilkenny College, has been appointed as principal of the school. He will replace David Sutton who will be retiring at the end of August.

Ian Coombes, who returns to Bandon Grammar School as Principal

Ian is no stranger to Bandon Grammar School having been principal here for ten years until 2010 when he was appointed headmaster of Kilkenny College. The Chairperson of the Board of Management, Canon Paul Willoughby, commenting on the appointment said:

I am delighted at Ian’s appointment. I first got to know Ian when my children were boarding pupils here at Bandon. The one thing that stands out for me was his pastoral care of my children, sometimes when problems arose. Nothing was too much trouble. Pastoral care of pupils has always been Ian’s number one priority. He also has great wisdom and broad experience of education in Ireland which we will need in Bandon in the coming years. Our particular educational sector is under great pressure at present with many issues and challenges to be faced.

Ian, a native of Clonakilty, is a past pupil of Bandon Grammar School. He also taught Geography and History here for 18 years. He is hugely committed to a broad curriculum in school and along with sport, where he has a background in both playing and coaching rugby, he is also committed to the artistic side of school life. is vision for Bandon Grammar School is to keep it at the forefront of Irish and international education during his tenure.

Canon Willoughby added:

We look forward to welcoming Ian, Glynnis and their family back to Bandon and to the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.

Posted in Appointments, Diocese, Schools in the Diocese | Comments Off

Carrigrohane Youth Trip 2014

Posted on May 19, 2014 by

Over 4 days after Easter, 46 young people plus leaders from the Carrigrohane Union of Parishes in the Diocese of Cork gathered at the Faith Mission Centre in Bandon for their annual trip. Here is their report:

“This year we looked at the story of NOAH, with each session looking at a different aspect, how the New Testament taught the story, and how it related to us.”

“So we saw that Noah was a great example of faith (Hebrews 11), we saw the seriousness of sin and the need for the cross (Ezekiel 14), we saw that Noah was a story of warning that Jesus taught on for our benefit (Luke 17) and finally we heard that just as Noah and his family placed their trust in the ark to save them, so we to can trust in God’s better, 2nd ark – Jesus himself (1 Peter 3).”

“As well as main worship and teaching sessions with the youth band, we had a great prayer room space and the usual craic with group games, late nights, and beach trips.”

Obviously it was a wonderful time for everyone involved.