Cork Heritage Open Day at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork

Posted on August 17, 2023 by mediaccr

On Saturday, 12th August 2023, St Fin Barre’s Cathedral recorded over 1500 visitors for the Cork Heritage Open Day.

Heritage Day 2023 at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork

Eoin Murphy, Operations Manager at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, writes:

We were delighted to see the visitor numbers for the Heritage Open Day being up by 40% compared to 2022! In addition to the regular tours on the hour we made a number of improvements to the programme which were well received by the visitors. The main west doors were opened which allowed visitors easy access and flooded the Cathedral with natural light, giving a lovely warm atmosphere. We had a comprehensive programme of organ music on the half hour performed by our Director of Music Peter Stobart, and the opening of the doors meant that the sound was even audible in the courtyard, attracting more visitors. It was notable how visitors who were exiting decided to turn back when the organ music commenced!

Director of Music Peter Stobart at the Organ with some visitors.

We also had an audio visual presentation of the Cathedral Choir which encouraged visitors to linger and enjoy the magnificent choral music, and our tour guides prepared a very entertaining and engaging walking tours of the grounds and graveyard.

The preparation and execution of Heritage Day at the Cathedral was a great team effort and the benefit of the fabulous weather made it a wonderful day at a beautiful heritage site.

Visitors of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral enjoying a guided tour of the grounds.
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150th Anniversary of St Matthew’s Church, Aughadown

Posted on August 15, 2023 by mediaccr

The 150th Anniversary of St. Matthew’s Church, Aughadown in Ballydehob Union was marked with a United Service of Celebration held last Sunday, 13th August, at which the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton officiated alongside the Rev. Stephen McCann, Rector of Ballydehob Union. The congregation included parishioners from Ballydehob Union and the wider Church of Ireland community, and a large number present included parishioners from the neighbouring Roman Catholic churches at Lisheen, Church Cross and Ballydehob among others, and parishioners from other denominations.

From l.-r.: Tadgh O’Donovan, the Rev. Stephen McCann, Willian Casey,  Bishop Paul Colton, Deirdre Pemberton, Padraig O’Donovan, the Rev. Tom Kingston, and Lucy Perrott.

In his Anniversary Sermon, Bishop Colton drew on diocesan records and other church memorabilia dating back to the building and consecration of the church 150 years ago. Regaling those present with stories and remembrances, delivered in what one of those present said was ‘his unique and endearing brand of informality and good humour’, the Bishop underlined the important position that St. Matthew’s Church and the Ballydehob Union hold within the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.

Amongst other speakers, whose contributions helped give life to the church’s long history, was Tadgh O’Donovan who spoke of St. Matthew’s earliest days. His talk was enhanced by an engraved silver trowel from his possessions, which was engraved to commemorate the laying of the church’s foundation stone by his great-grandfather. Deidre Pemberton talked about her great-grandfather, who was a well-known Dublin contractor of the period and who had been commissioned to built St. Matthew’s Church. Other speakers included the historian Willian Casey, parishioner Lucy Perrott, the Rev. Tom Kingston and guest organist Padraig O’Donovan.

Thanking all present for their attendance, the Rev. McCann was gracious in his praise of all involved in preparing the church and its surroundings in advance of the event and in making the detailed arrangements that led to its success. Following the service refreshments were served providing an opportunity for those present to mingle and share their recollections.

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New Prayer Tree for St Fachtna’s Cathedral, Rosscarbery

Posted on August 12, 2023 by mediaccr

A prayer tree that was made by the students of Ashton School has been donated by Bishop Colton to St. Fachtna’s Cathedral in Rosscarbery. It is currently being used as part of the ‘Souls of our Shoes’ exhibition which was put together by the Mothers’ Union to highlight the theme of Domestic Violence and which is on display at the cathedral from the 5th to 20th August 2023.

Prayer Tree made by students from Ashton School in St Fachtna’s Cathedral, Rosscarbery

The prayer tree will remain in Ross Cathedral after the exhibition for visitors to offer prayers when they visit this beautiful historic building. The Dean and Chapter of Ross Cathedral would like to thank Bishop Colton and the students of Ashton School for the prayer tree.

The Very Rev. Cliff Jeffers, Dean of Ross said:

We are delighted that this prayer tree has been donated to St. Fachtna’s Cathedral and hope that it will facilitate the prayers of tourists and local people who visit the cathedral for many years to come.

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Annual Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving at St Anne’s Church, Shandon

Posted on August 11, 2023 by mediaccr

On Thursday, 3rd August 2023, the Annual Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving took place in St Anne Shandon during the Cork Pride Festival. This short service gives an opportunity to stop, reflect and remember those who have gone before from the LGBTQ+ Community as well as those who have supported members of the community, through their work, friendship or family network.

The Rev. Bruce Pierce presided at the service during which those in attendance were invited to light a candle in remembrance of loved ones, friends and companions on the journey.

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St Fin Barre’s Cathedral Choristers attend Irish Youth Training Choir

Posted on August 10, 2023 by mediaccr

Two choristers from St Fin Barre’s Cathedral Choir attended the Irish Youth Training Choir’s residential course (in association with Sing Ireland) during their summer vacation.

Photo of the Irish Youth Training Choir 2023 @Sing_Ireland

Suzanne writes:

I am incredibly grateful to have been a part of the Irish Youth Training Choir, which was one of the best experiences I have ever had. Between the 25 th and 30 th June, young people aged 14 to 17 from around Ireland stayed on the University of Limerick campus and were taught a large repertoire of pieces. The theme of this year was newly composed music, which gave us the unique opportunity to premiere many new items commissioned by the choir. Though it was a lot of hard work, it was made enjoyable by the great music and the passionate leadership.

Of course, there were lots of fun activities too such as a table quiz, which in true choir fashion ended in a ‘finish the lyric’ tie-breaker. We had a movie night, but my personal highlight of the week was a talent show, where we got to see all of our fellow choristers’ immense non-musical talents.

We performed twice, once in UL and once in St Andrew’s Church, Dublin. It was exhilarating to make such good music with people I had only known for five days. My personal favourite piece Tea Time celebrated Irish people’s relationship with the good old ‘cuppa’ and included interesting details such as using both a tea pot and cup as instruments to accompany the choir as well as the piano. With its catchy tune and syncopated rhythm, this made this piece particularly enjoyable.

I am so excited for next year, to sing with IYTC’s spectacular group of people again.

Louis writes:

I thought it would be an exciting experience but I didn’t really know what to expect. I was very impressed with the Limerick campus and we got to stay in an apartment with five basses who were great fun. We ate together on campus in the Stables restaurant and rehearsed in both the Village Hall and the Irish Chamber Orchestra Hall; the facilities were amazing.

The days were packed, with warm-ups every morning followed by sectionals with the other tenors and basses, full choir rehearsals and musicianship classes. The final full rehearsal at 8pm was followed by loads of different activities every evening. The songs were very different from the ones I usually sing, because they were written by contemporary Irish composers, and some were based on poems and themes generated by secondary school students. I enjoyed all of the 13 songs that we learnt, and they were all great.

I enjoyed getting to meet some amazing singers from all over Ireland, and I was one of the youngest. I enjoyed being in a different environment and it was fun performing the two concerts in Limerick and Dublin, which were great craic and I learned a lot. In summary, it was fun, challenging, and educational and I hope to do it again next year.

Photo of the Irish Youth Training Choir 2023 @Sing_Ireland
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