Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
New Insights into Bishop Richard Mant
In February 2013 the RCB Library’s ‘Archive of the Month’ featured the correspondence of Richard Mant, Bishop of Down and Connor, 1823–48. Mant was a considerable figure in Irish church life, who after an uneasy tenure of the see of Kilalloe & Kilfenora, made his mark in the north where he was active in the church extension movement.
However, he is best remembered for his extensive writings which may have contributed to his personal wealth, a new insight into which has recently come to light. Alan Thomond, a former Barclays Bank manager has been indexing the accounts of Goslings Bank, a forerunner of Barclays. In the process he has uncovered the account of Bishop Mant which, as he says ‘contains quite a considerable turnover’.
A feature of the entries in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography is an assessment of wealth of each subject but for Bishop Mant the record is blank. These records, which are held at Barclays Bank Archive in South Manchester, may make good this lacuna. They may be consulted by arrangement with the Head Archivist, Maria Sienkiewicz – [email protected]
Today (Saturday) the Tuam, Killala and Achonry Diocesan Synod will be held in St Mary’s cathedral, Tuam. At noon in Killinane, Castleboy, Co. Galway, the rector of Aughrim Revd John Godfrey, and Archdeacon Wayne Carey will be joined by the local parish priest and members of Kilchreest Castledaly Heritage Group for the re–dedication of Killinane graveyard which has been restored.
Tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon, in Christ Church cathedral, the Archbishop of Dublin will raise four deacons to the priesthood. The Revd Alan Breen will serve as curate in Greystones, the Revd Cathy Hallissey in Taney, the Revd Ruth O’Kelly in Rathfarnham and the Revd Abigaill Sines in the Christ Church cathedral group of parishes. The preacher will be Canon David Moynan, Rector of Kilternan, who leaves the diocese at the end of the month.
In Co. Fermanagh the 125th anniversary of the consecration of St Molaise’s church, Devenish, will be marked by a special service at which the preacher will be Canon James Carson, Rector of St Paul’s, Lisburn. Canon Carson was Rector of Devenish at the time of the centenary celebrations.
The first in a new series of organ recitals will be given in St Patrick’s cathedral, Armagh, at 4.15pm.The recitalist will be Dr Stephen Timpany who has recently taken up the post of Director of Music at the cathedral, having been Acting Organist and Master of the Choristers for the last two years. His programme will include works by J.S. Bach, César Franck and Gordon Phillips.
On Wednesday the lunchtime recital in St Mary’s cathedral, Limerick, will be given by Lorna Moore (soprano) and Fergal Warren (piano). Admission is free but there will be a retiring collection in aid of the Companions of St Mary’s Cathedral Music. In the evening in St Columb’s cathedral, Derry, the Bishop of Derry & Raphoe will preside at the Mothers’ Union Festival Service.
Dr Martin Neary, Patron of the Cecil Frances Alexander Music Trust, former Organist & Master of the Choristers in Westminster Abbey, will return to St Columb’s Cathedral, Derry, on Thursday for a weekend residency during the Harvest Thanksgiving. Dr Neary will give an organ recital on Friday evening and will conduct some workshops for the Choir.
On Thursday morning the Bishop of Cork will preside at the Annual Diocesan Service for Primary Schools in St Peter’s church, Bandon, where the preacher will be the Revd Sarah Marry. In the evening, at 7.45pm, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin will launch Thinking Anew: Faith in a World of Change and Doubt in St Paul’s Parish Centre, Gleneageary. The new book, which is published by Columba Press, is a selection of Irish Times columns written by Archdeacon Gordon Linney.
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’