Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland notes from 'The Irish Times'
Saturday 6 December 2008
New Bells for St Patrick’s
Tomorrow (Sunday) there will be a special ceremony during Evensong to rededicate the bells of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, following their refurbishment this year. An addition bell will also be dedicated. After evensong bell ringers from all parts of Ireland will join with the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Amateur Society of Change Ringers to ring out the changes and celebrate this occasion.
Bells have long been part of the life of St Patrick’s. They are first mentioned in 1244, and it is known that in 1362 there was a fire in Dublin and the steeple and the North East corner of the cathedral were destroyed as were the bells. The Minot Tower, which still stands today, was built as a replacement for the steeple in 1370 and subsequently several bells were installed.
In 1443 the Dean and Chapter put a large bell in the tower and in 1670 a peal of eight bells was installed. This ring was replaced in 1897 by a ring of ten bells as a gift from Lord Iveagh. They were cast by the famous firm of Taylors of Loughborough. In 1909 the ring was increased to twelve bells and in 1925 the ring was further increased to fourteen. The addition of the new bell this year this brings the total to fifteen.
The bells are rung twice each Sunday and on special occasions such as Christmas Eve and New Year.
Tomorrow (Sunday) morning in Christ Church Cathedral the Archbishop of Dublin will ordain Mrs Terry Alcock as a deacon to serve in the non-stipendiary ministry in the Narraghmore group of parishes where the rector is the Revd Isaac Delamere. In the evening, at 4pm, in Bagnalstown, the Bishop of Cashel & Ossory will institute the Revd Charles McCollum as Rector of the Dunleckney group of parishes. Mr McCollum has been Rector of St Peter’s, Belfast since 1996.
The past members of the 3rd Company of the Boys Brigade will hold their annual Christmas Bible Class in St Stephen’s Church, Mount Street, Dublin tomorrow (Sunday) at 3.30 pm. The speaker will be Bishop Samuel Poyntz, a former president of the Company and of the Dublin Battalion of the BB. All past members of the Company, friends and parishioners are welcome.
On Monday evening in St Canice’s Library, Kilkenny, the bishop of Cashel & Ossory will launch the publication of John Henry Bernard, 1860-1927. A Study of a Leader of the Southern Unionists which is the latest book by the Dean of St Patrick’s Dr Robert MacCarthy. As Bishop’s Vicar in Kilkenny from 1986 to 1988 Dr MacCarthy was Librarian in St Canice’s Library which was also his place of residence.
In St Saviour’s Church, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow, on Tuesday evening, the Archbishop of Dublin will institute Canon John McCullagh to the incumbency of Rathdrum, Derralossory and Glenealy. Canon McCullagh has been Secretary of the General Synod Board of Education since 1999 having previously served in parish ministry in Stillorgan and Clondalkin.
The Christ Church Christmas Concert will be held in the cathedral on Wednesday at 8pm and on Thursday the Cathedral Girls’ Choir will give a lunchtime recital with soprano, Katy Kelly.
The third in the current series of Advent talks in Drumcondra and North Strand parish, Dublin, will be held in North Strand School on Wednesday evening at 7.45 pm. The speaker will be Fr Charles Hoey one of the chaplains in Mountjoy Prison who will talk about the ministry to prisoners.