St. Mary’s Collegiate Church, in the heart of Youghal, is one of the oldest parish churches still in use in Ireland. This year its parishioners, as well as the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross and the wider Church of Ireland are celebrating 802 years of continuous worship at the church, stretching right back to its foundation in 1220.
The East Window and Quire of Saint Mary’s Collegiate Church.
On Sunday 23rd October at 3.30pm a Diocesan Service of Thanksgiving will take place, led by Dr Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland John McDowell will preach at this special service. Several choirs will take part, and guests from all over the diocese and country will be present.
Saint Mary’s Collegiate Church is surrounded by the Medieval Town Walls of Youghal and visitors can see the original oak timbers of the roof from trees cut down in around 1190, as well as pottery jars inserted into the walls to improve the acoustics, and the medieval sword rest which held the Mayor of Youghal’s ceremonial weapon. The church has survived the Black Death (which killed almost half of the town), a series of rebellions and wars, a three month siege, and the preaching of Oliver Cromwell. Among the many remarkable monuments is the floor to ceiling carved memorial of Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork. A new self guided audio tour is an attraction for the many visitors from all over the world.
The Priest in Charge, Canon Andrew Orr said:
We are thrilled to be marking the 800th anniversary of this extraordinary building with this very special service. We look forward to welcoming not just the Archbishop but local representatives and visitors from across the country.
With many people attending, admission is by ticket only, which can be obtained at no cost from the church reception desk or on Eventbrite.ie.
On Tuesday, 18th October, The Feast of St Luke, a Diocesan Service of Thanksgiving to mark the Sesquicentenary of the Foundation of Saint Luke’s Home, Cork in 1872 was held at Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork. Saint Luke’s is a voluntary organisation under the patronage of the Church of Ireland in Cork, Cloyne and Ross, and the Right Rev. Dr Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross serves as President. The Home provides residential, respite and day care services for older people, with an emphasis on Alzheimer care and other forms of Dementia.
A full Cathedral to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Saint Luke’s Home.
The Dean of Cork, the Very Rev. Nigel Dunne introduced the service by extending a welcome to the guests including the CEO of Saint Luke’s Home, Tony O’Brien, the Director of Nursing, Orla Coleman, Senators Jerry Buttimer and Tim Lombard, Cllr Derry Canty (representing the Lord Mayor of Cork), Cllr Ben Dalton O’Sullivan (representing the County Mayor), ecumenical guests, and representatives from the City Council, An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, the Naval Service, and other Cork based charities and healthcare providers.
Tony O’Brien, CEO of Saint Luke’s Home.
Orla Coleman, Director of Nursing at Saint Luke’s Home.
The Rev. Meghan Farr, Chaplain of Saint Luke’s Home, and the Rev. Bruce Pierce, Director of Education at Saint Luke’s Home Education Centre, led the Prayers. The Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton preached at the service. The music was provided by the School Choirs of the three Second-level Schools of the Diocese – Ashton School, Bandon Grammar School and Midleton College – under the direction of Peter Stobart. The Principals of Bandon Grammar School, Niamh McShane, and Ashton School, Adrian Landen, as well as their Music Teachers, Ms Laura Power (Bandon) and Dr Mary O’Brien (Ashton) were also attending the service. During the Silent Thanksgiving and Commemoration led by Bishop Colton, three representative students of the schools lit candles as an act of thanksgiving and remembrance. The Service was streamed online to the residents and staff at Saint Luke’s Home in Mahon.
The Rev. Meghan Farr, Chaplain of Saint Luke’s Home.
The Rev. Bruce Pierce, Director of Education at Saint Luke’s Home Education Centre.
Three students lighting candles during the act of remembrance.
The three Secondary School Choirs singing during the service.
After the service, Bishop Paul Colton, President of Saint Luke’s, said:
The anniversary celebration of 150 years of Saint Luke’s Home, Cork on Saint Luke’s Day 2022 was a truly joyful occasion. Our thanksgiving was hugely enriched by the singing of students from Ashton School, Bandon Grammar School and Midleton College. The act of remembrance was poignant. Most of all, this occasion gave me the opportunity, as President of the Charity and Home, to say thank you to everyone who continues our caring work today.
Tony O’Brien, CEO of Saint Luke’s Home, commented:
This year is an important year for St. Luke’s Charity and Home as we celebrate our 150th anniversary. It is a significant achievement to continue to be a leader in the care of the older person. The Diocesan service of thanksgiving to mark this special occasion at the Cathedral Church of Saint Fin Barre was a wonderful way to thank all those who have been associated with Saint Luke’s during its 150 years of service to the Cork community.
The Very Rev. Nigel Dunne, Dean of Cork, said:
It was a great pleasure to host the Saint Luke’s Home Charity here at the Cathedral for such a significant milestone in their history. There was a real sense of joy and celebration as we gave thanks for 150 years of care and compassion whilst also praying for the good work that continues today. The fact that residents in the Home were able to join us via our livestream system was a lovely point of connection too.
The Rev. Meghan Farr, Chaplain of Saint Luke’s Home, said:
It was a blessing to be part of such a spirit-filled celebration of Saint Luke’s Home’s 150th anniversary. I am grateful to join with the administration and staff to share in the legacy of the Home as well as its continued ministry in Cork.
Peter Stobart, Director of Music at Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, commented:
For the first time ever – we think – the choirs of our three Secondary Schools came together to sing for the service. There were around seventy children crammed into the choir stalls and they were singing in four parts. As well as leading the hymn singing, they had rehearsed Bob Chilcott’s ‘Irish Blessing’which they sang before the prayers. It was great to see the enthusiasm on the students’ faces as the three schools came together for the first time in the rehearsal. My thanks to their music teachers for preparing them so well over the last few weeks.
The Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton and the Dean of Cork, Nigel Dunne with the choirs of Ashton School, Bandon Grammar School, and Midleton College, together with Peter Stobart (Director of Music) and Robbie Carroll (Assistant Director of Music).
On Sunday 16th October 2022, the Ven. Adrian Wilkinson, Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, took his final service at St Luke’s Church, Douglas where was presented with his pectoral cross before he is leaving the Diocese to become Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory. On the previous Sunday, a Diocesan Farewell Service was held at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral during Evensong. Throughout his last week in Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the parish schools also wished the Archdeacon farewell and thanked him for his many years as their chaplain.
The Archdeacon at his final assembly at St Luke’s NS, Douglas.
Adrian was ordained both Deacon (1994) and Priest (1995) at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral in Cork, and has subsequently served as Curate in Douglas Union of Parishes with Frankfield for three years, before he moved to the Diocese of Meath and Kildare. Upon returning to Cork, Cloyne and Ross in 2002 he served as Incumbent of Douglas Union for twenty years, and as the Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross for the past eight years.
Following his election as Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory, Adrian said:
I am humbled and honoured to have been elected Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory. While I will be sorry to leave Cork, a place where I have served very happily for over twenty years, I look forward to this new chapter in ministry. My childhood years were spent in Cashel, Ferns and Ossory and I look forward to working with the clergy and people there in the years ahead, as we proclaim our faith in word and action.
The Bishop and the Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross during the Archdeacon’s Farewell Service.
During Evensong at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral on Sunday, 9th October, Ms Dorothy Verplancke thanked the Archdeacon on behalf of all the lay people in the diocese.
Adrian is a selfless giver who has never made anybody feel that their issues impact on his personal time. His kind, gentle, caring, and sensitive pastoral approach underscore his Ministry. He relates to people and he listens to people […] He exercises a calm and measured approach. These skills and gifts will serve him well […]. This Bishop Designate will be quickly recognised for his calm and considered “lead by example” leadership. A leadership, which will be enabling of others.
It would be remiss of me not to mention Jacqui, and Adrian and Jacqui’s family, and to thank them for the support and encouragement which has enabled Adrian to take on the role of Archdeacon, in the Dioceses.
Despite the fact that we are very sad that you are leaving us, we are all very proud of you, and we all wish you God’s richest blessings as you will soon embark on the next chapter of your Ministry.
The Dean of Cork, the Very Rev. Nigel Dunne spoke on behalf of all the clergy in the Diocese, and presented Adrian with an episcopal ring, a gift that is traditionally given by the clergy of the diocese where the new Bishop is coming from. The Dean of Cork explained:
The centrepiece of the episcopal ring is an amethyst. Medieval European soldiers wore amethyst amulets as protection in battle in the belief that they heal people and keep them cool-headed. We know that one of the hallmarks of our Archdeacon’s ministry has always been faithful and calm service, a sense of getting on with the serving life of the priest without fuss – what he’s often called ‘doing the plod’. It may not be obvious to those of us who are ordained that in a particular moment, by the simplest act or conversation, that we have brought peace and healing to people’s lives. That is an important skill that the Archdeacon will bring into his new office, whether that be to individuals, the wider diocesan family of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory, or the wider Church of Ireland.
The Archdeacon’s level-headedness and calm approach to things is well known and is no doubt not only his natural disposition but also rooted in much prayer. We thank Adrian for that and pray that he will continue to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in what will no doubt be a demanding role.
We, the clergy of the Diocese thank you for your service among us […] and we all wish you every blessing in this new phase of ministry and assure you of our continued prayers for you too.
The Archdeacon and his family with the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross after the service. The Archdeacon during his Farewell Service at at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral.
On Saturday 8th October, the choristers of the St Fin Barre’s Cathedral Choir and their families embarked on an 8km walk around Mahon Point and Blackrock Village. Almost 50 people met at Mahon Point Shopping Centre and headed towards Blackrock Castle on the riverside walkway, a route that had proved popular before the pandemic.
After passing the castle the next stop was The Natural Foods Bakery in Blackrock Village where a lemonade and a slice of delicious cake were picked up. It was well deserved especially as the lovely weather made the walk warmer than one might expect for the time of year. The break was limited though as the final destination was still someway down the old railway line back to Mahon Point. There were several tired faces in the choir stalls on the following Sunday morning after an invigorating afternoon of exercise.
The choristers are raising funds for their forthcoming tour to Amsterdam, Leiden and Haarlem after Easter in 2023. Their next fundraising events will be performances of Handel’s Messiah on 9th and 10th December in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral.
During Evensong at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral last Sunday, 9th October 2022, the Dean of Cork, the Very Rev. Nigel Dunne, installed the Dean of Ross, the Very Rev. Cliff Jeffers as Chancellor of the Cathedral and Prepend of Killaspugmallane. Furthermore, the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton, licensed Dr Simon Woodworth to the Office of Reader. At the end of the service, Bishop Paul Colton, Dean Nigel Dunne and Dorothy Verplancke thanked the Archdeacon Adrian Wilkinson and wished him farewell as he leaves the Diocese and prepares for his ordination as Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory.
The Very Rev. Cliff Jeffers, Dean of Ross, the Right Rev. Dr Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, and the Very Rev. Nigel Dunne, Dean of Cork.
Dean Cliff Jeffers and Dean Nigel Dunne in their stalls at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral. Dr Simon Woodworth and Bishop Paul Colton after the service.
The Dean of Cork, the Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dorothy Verplancke and John Jermyn, Diocesan Registrar, after the service.
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