Press Releases
NEW LOOK FOR THE CHURCH OF IRELAND GAZETTE
The Church of Ireland Gazette has launched its first full colour issue. The launch ceremony was performed today at the newspaper’s Lisburn offices by Martin O’Brien, producer of BBC Radio Ulster’s Sunday Sequence programme.
The Gazette, which was established in 1856 and has a current weekly circulation of 4,000 copies throughout Ireland, carries news of the Church of Ireland as well as of wider church life at home and abroad. There are also regular feature items, columnists’ contributions and advertising pages.
In order to finance the move to colour, the price of the newspaper will increase from the present 40p/65c to 45p/70c on 1st January next.
Speaking at the launch, Martin O’Brien said: “The Church of Ireland Gazette is respected throughout this island for its jealously guarded independence and for its forthrightness in tackling head-on in its editorials the uncomfortable issues many would wish to see left alone. This has given it a deserved reputation for exerting and enjoying an influence that is much greater than its modest circulation would suggest.”
He wished the Gazette every success in the future and said that the new colour format would enhance the Gazette’s appeal, making it a more attractive vehicle “for doing what any good newspaper or good radio or television news programme should be doing”, which he said was “to challenge, to probe and to prod, to ask the awkward questions, hold the powerful to account and light a lamp in those places some would say are best left unlit”.
Gazette editor, Canon Ian Ellis, paid tribute to his colleagues on the small staff team and afterwards commented: “I am delighted that it has been possible to move forward to full colour. We are committed to producing the best we can for our readers, in terms of both the Gazette’s appearance and its content.”
Further information from:
THE CHURCH OF IRELAND PRESS OFFICE
Church of Ireland House
61 - 67 Donegall Street
Belfast BT1 2QH
Tel: (028) 9023 2909
Fax: (028) 9032 3554
Email:The Press Office