Tower renovations completed at the Church of the Ascension, Timoleague

The Church of the Ascension in Timoleague is undergoing some major renovation works since 2020. Phase 1 was completed in Summer 2020, restoring and renewing the entire roof of the church. Phase 2 of the plan has been completed recently, resulting in the new, white colour of the church tower.

The Rev. Kingsley Sutton, Rector of Kilgariffe Union, has created a short video about the ongoing conservation project and explains why the church tower is now white.

You can find the video here.

The Rev. Kingsley Sutton, Rector of Kilgariffe Union, commented:

West Cork has many hidden gems, but this one is changing colour. Please share the good news of how Ireland’s Heritage is being conserved for future generations.

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St Mary’s Tractor Run Fundraiser in Dunmanway

The Rev. Cliff Jeffers writes:

Over 100 vintage cars and tractors gathered at Cox’s Hall in Dunmanway for the annual St Mary’s Tractor Run. This event is one of the highlights of the year, with parishioners and people from the local community gathering to raise funds for local charities.

The three charities this year were Multiple Sclerosis West Cork, St Mary’s Church Dunmanway, and Co-Action Dunmanway. Sean Murphy from MS West Cork thanked the organisers of the Tractor Run for all the work they put into making it a wonderful event.

It was not only an enjoyable fundraising event, but also wonderful to be able to meet again socially and see many people from the parish, local community and from around West Cork coming together on Rogation Sunday.

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Annual Service for Cork LGBTI+ Awareness Week held in St Anne’s Church, Shandon

Once again this year, St Anne’s Church hosted its annual service for Cork LGBTI+ Awareness Week on Sunday 22nd May. The service takes place around International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) each year.

The Rev. Steven Foster, Alan Howe and Stephen Spillane in front of St Anne’s Church, Shandon.

The service was lead by Diocesan Reader Alan Howe and the Rev. Steven Foster of the North Tipperary Methodist Circuit and Amach le Dia gave the address.

Stephen Spillane, churchwarden at St Anne’s Church, commented:

St Anne’s was once again delighted to host our Annual Service for LGBTI+ Awareness Week. This year the address from Rev Steven Foster was timely and spoke about how the courage and partnership needed for us to be advocates for inclusion in the church. This is something we take very seriously in St Anne’s and we firmly believe that whoever you are and where ever you are on your faith journey, you are welcome here.

The Rev. Steven Foster, Alan Howe and Stephen Spillane in front of St Anne’s Church, Shandon.

Earlier that week, on Monday 16th May, Bishop Paul Colton joined the Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Colm Kelleher, at the launch of the annual Cork LGBT Awareness Week.

Photo from the Lord Mayor of Cork, Colm Kelleher’s social media. For original click here.
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Rector of Kilgariffe Union receives Community Award

On Tuesday, 17th May 2022, the Mayor of Clonakilty Mr Anthony McDermott and the members of the Clonakilty Mayoral Council presented the Rev. Kingsley Sutton with a community award for his outstanding community spirit in his many video productions over the Covid-19 Pandemic.


The awards are given to various people/groups each year by the Mayor of Clonakilty to highlight their many outstanding achievements.

‘Mayor Anthony McDermott said that he is delighted to be able to honour outstanding people and said it just goes to show what a fantastic community we live in. There is something for all, young and old, in our town and it is so important that we honour the outstanding achievements of these people and groups.’

Mayoral Council of Clonakilty

The Rev. Kingsley Sutton commented:

I am really humbled and yet honoured to accept this award. I am so glad that my videos have helped to give people a lift in life, especially in the darkest days of the pandemic. There is so much community spirit in Clonakilty, it has been a joy to record it and broadcast it to the world!

The Rev. Kingsley Sutton, his wife Daphne and three of their children.
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Rector of Cobh & Glanmire attends commemoration of the Lusitania Tragedy

On Sunday 8th May, the Rector of Cobh & Glanmire Union of Parishes, the Rev. Canon Paul Arbuthnot, led the prayers at the 107th commemoration of the Lusitania tragedy. Fr Aquin Casey of Cobh Cathedral was also in attendance and the liturgy included a wreath laying and the names of all the victims being read by civic dignitaries.

The Rev. Canon Paul Arbuthnot with Fr Aquin Casey of Cobh Cathedral

The commemoration took place at the Old Cemetery in Cobh and concluded at the Lusitania memorial in the town centre.

Canon Arbuthnot commented:

This important annual event reminds us starkly of the human cost of war and how civilian populations so often bear the brunt of such evil. We remember before God all those who perished as a consequence of this tragedy. As we remember the victims of the Lusitania tragedy, we continue to pray for peace throughout the world, and especially in Ukraine.

One of the graves at the Old Cemetery in Cobh of the victims of the Lusitania Tragedy
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