Press Releases20 Mar 08

Her Majesty the Queen Presents Royal Maundy Money

Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh visited St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh this morning to present Royal Maundy Money, the first time in modern times that this has happened in Ireland, and only the second time outside England.

Overall, 164 people received Maundy Money, 82 men and 82 women, representing one man and one woman for each of the years of the sovereign’s life. The recipients were nominated by the leaders of the four major Christian denominations in Ireland, all of whom were present for the service. All of the recipients were retired pensioners from across Northern Ireland who have contributed to their community and/or their churches. Each received a red purse which contains an allowance for clothing and provisions and a white purse containing silver Maundy coins with as many pence as the Sovereign has years of age.

The Dean of Amagh, the Very Revd Patrick Rooke led the prayers. The first lesson was read by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh and the second by His Eminence, Sean Cardinal Brady, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh. During the service, the singing was led by the choir of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh and the choir of Her Majesty’s Chapels Royal.

The service was attended by the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd Alan Harper, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, His Eminence Sean Cardinal Brady, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Rt Revd Dr John Finlay and the President of the Methodist Conference, the Revd Roy Cooper. The Rt Revd The Lord Eames of Armagh was also present as were the Bishops of Connor, Derry and Raphoe, Clogher, Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh and Down and Dromore. Representatives of the Jewish, Muslim and Hindu Communities in Northern Ireland were present along with the Mayor of Armagh, Cllr Roulston.

Welcoming the Queen at a lunch in the Deanery the Archbishop of Armagh said that her visit was “a day as momentous as any in the history of this ancient place.” He went onto describe the service as “a profound act of religious worship, honouring and recapitulating the actions of our Lord himself at his last meal with his closest friends and followers in the Upper room in Jerusalem. The example of our Lord in washing the feet of those who called him “Master” and “Lord” before going on to institute for us the central act of worship of the Christian Church, the Eucharist, brings us close as we can hope to be to his intentions for us as we relive the events of his passion and sacrifice.” After lunch, the Archbishop presented the Queen with a half scale replica of the Bell of St Patrick.