With the cathedral’s millennium approaching in 2028, Dean O’Brien gave thanks to God for the legacy of the cathedral’s past and looked to its future.

“May everything we do here continue to honour those legacies as we point beyond ourselves to Jesus Christ,” he stated. “So that a thousand years after Christians first worshipped on this site, a new generation might come through these doors and discover that this monument to a faith once held, remains a living church preaching a living gospel and proclaiming a living Saviour.”

The uplifting service, at which Archbishop Michael Jackson presided, also marked the Dean’s institution as incumbent of the Christ Church Cathedral Group of Parishes, which is connected to the cathedral. Members of the parish, representing the historic churches of St Werburgh, St Michan and All Saint’s Grangegorman, were part of the service and presented the symbols of the teaching and sacramental ministry of their Rector.

Tom was joined in the congregation by his wife Daniela, their son Dylan and daughter Tara–Rose, and their daughter Rebekkah was watching online from Perth, Australia.

Clergy and Lay Readers from across Dublin and Glendalough turned out in great numbers to support the new Dean. The Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, the Very Revd William Morton was present along with members of the Chapter there. Ecumenical guests included the Very Revd Kieran McDermott, Administrator of St Mary’s Cathedral, Dublin, and the Very Revd Ivan Tonge, PP of Ringsend Parish. Pastor Florian von Issendorff, Lead Pastor of the Lutheran Church in Ireland was also present.

Many of Tom’s former colleagues and friends from his 30 years of service in the HSE were in attendance. Representatives of the parishes in which Tom has served came from Holmpatrick, Howth, Kill O’ the Grange and Raheny and Coolock and many travelled in from Crinken.

There were many reference to the cathedral’s long history. As the service booklet noted: “Prayer has been offered in this place for close to a thousand years. Deans have come and gone; the city around us has changed beyond recognition; but still the daily round of worship continues, and still this cathedral seeks to be a place of welcome for Dubliners, for parishioners and for visitors from every corner of the world. This evening adds another name to that long history, and asks God’s blessing upon the chapter that unfolds tonight”.

In his sermon, Dean O’Brien turned to the Old Testament reading (Haggai 2: 1–9) and said he was drawn to the story of Zerubbabel. He was given an enormous project – they had returned from exile in Babylon and the temple was in ruins. Zerubbabel had to lead a discouraged people and the Dean suggested that today he might be called a project manager. He suggested that every good project manager knows that they cannot complete the project alone.

“You need people who know things you don’t know. People who tell you when you’re wrong. People who encourage you when you’re struggling. People who sometimes believe in you before you quite believe in yourself,” he said. “And when I look back on the road that has brought me here today, I see so many of those people, many represented here today.”

He said that in his journey in the HSE and in ministry, he learned something that Zerubbabel must have discovered, that leadership is never about the person whose name appears at the top, rather it is about those around them and the people that God surrounded them with.

“And now the journey has brought us here. Christ Church,” the Dean said. “For nearly a thousand years Christians have worshipped on this site. And as we approach that millennium, I find myself thinking again about Zerubbabel standing before the temple. What an inheritance. What a responsibility. What a project! Yet after these first weeks here, I already know that I am not undertaking it alone.”

He commended the dedicated cathedral team and paid tribute to his family who, he said, had given so much of themselves to the work of the church and without whom he could not walk the road of ministry.

This commitment people had offered throughout his life brought him to the New Testament reading from Colossians (1: 15–23). He said that the future of the cathedral was not about Dean Tom O’Brien but about the work God is doing in him through his spirit and the many friends He put in his path along the way.

“Everything is about Christ. He is to be encountered in our worship, proclaimed in this city and, I hope, reflected in our care for those who find themselves on the margins,” he stated.

Dean O’Brien continued: “So as we move towards the millennium of this extraordinary place, I do not know everything God will ask of us. Although we have an amazing past, we will not fear the future. I am empowered also to know that I do not attempt it alone. Together we will step forward in faith. We thank God for the past and for the faithful legacies left behind, including those of Dean Dermot and Celia. May everything we do here continue to honour those legacies as we point beyond ourselves to Jesus Christ.”

• Educate the Church at home about the needs and concerns of people in the less developed world and the causes of poverty; 
• Encourage Church members to examine the reasons for the problems facing the less fortunate in the world and to consider what we can do to change conditions; 
• Reach out in God’s name to those who need our help; 
• Encourage informed prayer and prayerful action aimed at strengthening the poor; and 
• Raise the funds needed to allow Bishops’ Appeal to support development projects and alleviate the suffering caused by disasters, both natural and man–made. 

Commending Hilary on her work over the last three years to the Standing Committee in September, Archbishop John McDowell praised her commitment to the role and her enthusiasm. “Hilary has been unstinting in her efforts to encourage members of the Church to understand and offer support to people in those parts of the world most affected by poverty, violence, climate change and suffering. Her efforts have been a key part in bringing life changing help to those in need around the world.”

Bishop Andrew said Robert had all the qualities a bishop sought in an archdeacon. ‘I have known Robert for more years than either of us would care to remember,’ Bishop Andrew said. ‘In all that time, he has been a faithful and valued friend. For a number of years we served in neighbouring parishes in the Diocese of Armagh. He is extremely affable, as his parishioners will attest, but his geniality belies an inner steel. He is a gifted and resilient leader, a superb administrator, a wise counsellor, a man of utter integrity, and a wonderful pastor. He has a remarkable ability to bring people with him – gentle leadership, I would call it – but, above all, he is a very Godly man.

‘I look forward to working with Robert as he joins our senior leadership team, alongside the Archdeacon of Raphoe, The Ven. David Huss.’

Archdeacon Boyd became the second Rector of Glendermott to be appointed Archdeacon of the Diocese of Derry, following in the footsteps of The Ven. William Colquhoun who retired in 1914. Archdeacon Boyd said he felt humbled and honoured by Bishop Andrew’s appointment, and asked for people’s prayers as he embarked on this new phase in his ministry.

‘After the initial shock, I feel very humbled and honoured to be appointed Archdeacon of Derry by Bishop Andrew,’ he said. ‘I wish to pay tribute to my predecessor, The Venerable Robert Miller, who has served with such distinction.

‘I pray that in the years ahead, and with God’s help, I may be of assistance to the Bishop and my colleagues throughout the Diocese as we seek to build a team which proclaims the Good News of the Gospel to our Diocesan family and the wider community.

‘I thank my wife, May, my family, and the parishes in which I have served, for their support of my ministry over the last 36 years. I ask for continued prayers as I embark on this new role.’

Archdeacon Boyd succeeds Ven. Robert Miller who will be taking up a new role, in November, as Chaplain of the Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace. Bishop Andrew paid tribute to Archdeacon Miller for his service in a role he had held since 2012. ‘Nobody knows better than me – or appreciates more than me – the outstanding service Robert has given to the Diocese, and to me as Bishop, during his time as Archdeacon.

‘I knew Robert long before my arrival in Derry and Raphoe, seven years ago, but since then he has been a rock. He has been unstinting in his friendship, generous with his advice, and courageous with his leadership. I thank him for his support and that friendship, and wish him a successful and fruitful ministry as Chaplain of the Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace.’ 

Founded in 2018 and drawn from the length and breadth of the diocese of Armagh, and with members coming from as far afield as Jordanstown, Banbridge, Warrenpoint and Omagh, the choir meets once a month to sing Evensong in St Patrick’s (Church of Ireland) Cathedral in Armagh. In addition, they sing on St Patrick’s Day, Maundy Thursday and other occasional special events.

Under the direction of their founder, the Ven Dr Peter Thompson, and accompanied by Stephen Furphy on the organ, the choir has developed an impressive repertoire of choral music which includes well known favourites such as Faure’s Requiem, choruses from Handel’s Messiah, Christmas carols and music of every period and style from renaissance polyphony to world premieres of newly composed music.

The Dublin tour began on Friday afternoon in the Carmelite Church on Whitefriar Street, where, for the first time since its foundation, the choir sang at a Mass, at the invitation of the Carmelite community and their director of music, Dr Carole O’Connor. The choir was made feel extremely welcome by the celebrant, Fr Brian McKay, and all the staff and community of the church. The very large afternoon congregation was particularly appreciative, and many made time to speak to the singers and thank them for taking the time to enrich their worship with beautiful music.

After Mass the choir made its way to Churchtown, where it was accommodated in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute, experiencing a little of what life is like for ordinands in training in the Church of Ireland. After a brief rest, the singers adjourned to a local hostelry where any calories burned off by the singing were soon replaced with a sumptuous meal, and a great night’s craic was enjoyed by all.

On Saturday afternoon the singers made their way back to the city centre, to St Patrick’s Cathedral, the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland, where they sang the first of three services, a service of choral evensong. The congregation included a large number of tourists of many nationalities. The music on Saturday included an anthem from the most famous son of Armagh, Charles Wood, the centenary of whose death was being marked that month. The choir was welcomed warmly by the Dean of the Cathedral, Dr William Morton (himself a native of Armagh), and the Cathedral’s director of music, Stuart Nicholson.

On Sunday the choir returned to sing at two services, performing music by Haydn, Tallis, Stanford and their director of music, Peter Thompson, finishing the weekend with John Ireland’s magnificent anthem, Greater Love — a real tour de force.

The journey home paused for yet another wonderful meal in the Monasterboice Inn, before the singers returned home tired, but very satisfied.

The Dean of Armagh, the Very Reverend Shane Forster, said, “I want to commend and congratulate Dr Thompson and the Diocesan Singers for being wonderful ambassadors for Armagh Cathedral and for church music in general. We greatly appreciate the involvement of the Diocesan Singers in services in the Cathedral and it is pleasing to know that their summer tour was so successful and warmly welcomed in Dublin.”

Speaking on her appointment, the Dean of Limerick, the Very Revd Niall Sloane, said, “We are delighted to welcome Ester to Saint Mary’s. Art and beauty and so important to us and we see this residency as another opportunity to engage art, people and the Cathedral. I wish to thank Ms Etain McCooey of Limerick and City & County Council who helped us with this project which is funded by the Arts Council and Limerick City and County Council, through the Limerick Arts Programme 2026”.

About the Artist

Ester Redlichová is a Limerick City–based visual artist working out of Wickham Street Studios. A graduate of the Limerick School of Art and Design (BA Hons in Printmaking Contemporary Practice), her multi–disciplinary work spans printmaking, painting, analogue media, and socially engaged practice.

Redlichová’s work explores the intersections of physical space, material memory, and community narrative. A member of Visual Artists Ireland, her practice frequently moves between studio work and collaborative public engagement, creating participatory spaces that invite people to connect with local heritage and landscape. She exhibits regularly both locally and internationally, and has completed residency training through the Teacher–Artist Partnership (TAP+) programme.

About the Residency – Impressions of Memory & Sacred Space

Ester explains: “As a Limerick City–based artist and graduate of the Limerick School of Art and Design (Printmaking Contemporary Practice), my work explores the intersection of place, tactile memory, and analogue processes.

“For the Saint Mary’s Cathedral Artist–in–Residence opportunity, I propose Impressions of Memory & Sacred Space—a site–specific, socially engaged project that merges tactile printmaking, analogue media, and community audio archives. By capturing the physical textures of the medieval site alongside the living voices of its present community, this project aims to honour the rich history, architecture, and living heritage of Saint Mary’s.

About Saint Mary’s Cathedral

Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick is the oldest building in the City still in continuous use. It was founded in 1168 and is an iconic presence in the city landscape. At its core the Cathedral seeks every day to Welcome In & Reach Out. Whilst primarily a place of Christian Worship, the cathedral also hosts numerous cultural and civic events as well as being, one of the major tourist attractions within the city of Limerick. Through its mission Saint Mary’s seeks every opportunity to promote love, peace and justice and to offer support wherever it can within the local community.

]]> https://www.ireland.anglican.org/news/13417/limerick-cathedral-announces-appointment-of https://www.ireland.anglican.org/news/13377/fulltime-pioneer-minister-sought-for Wed, 10 Jun 2026 08:56:00 +0000 The Diocese of Derry and Raphoe is seeking to recruit a pioneer minister to establish and lead the exciting Waterside Church Plant in Londonderry, reaching out to young families with little or no connection with church. The Church Plant is a joint initiative by Glendermott Parish Church and All Saints’ Clooney, funded by the Pioneer Ministry.

This full–time role will be funded for five years initially (including six–month
probationary period) and will incorporate three years’ training to obtain the C.o.I.
Pioneer Ministry Certificate.

 
We are looking for someone with:

• A strong and active Christian faith
• A passion for evangelism and nurturing disciples
• Experience in outreach, mission or pioneering ministry
• Creativity and initiative in developing new ways of sharing the Gospel
• Effective relationship–building and communication skills
• The ability to identify, equip and encourage others in their faith and build a
team ministry
• Resilience, adaptability and the ability to work independently as well as
collaboratively
• A desire to engage with young adults, families and the wider community
• A commitment to prayer and discerning God’s leading in mission.

For further information, job description & person specification, please contact
Diocesan Pioneer Advocate Joanne Miller at bishopsoffice@derryandraphoe.org.
Applicants are invited to send Joanne an initial expression of interest, together with
their CV and details of at least two referees, by Tuesday 30th June 2026.

]]> https://www.ireland.anglican.org/news/13377/fulltime-pioneer-minister-sought-for https://www.ireland.anglican.org/news/13365/charleville-national-school-tullamore-announced Tue, 19 May 2026 12:44:00 +0000

Charleville National School, Tullamore, is celebrating a major achievement after officially being recognised as a Champion School of Sanctuary. This honour will likely come as no surprise to those familiar with the school’s warm, inclusive and welcoming reputation within the community.

‘Schools of Sanctuary– Ireland’ is a national initiative which recognises schools that actively promote inclusion, equality, kindness and welcome for all, particularly for families and children coming from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. Schools work towards creating environments where every child feels safe, valued and respected, while celebrating diversity throughout the entire school community.

Achieving Champion School of Sanctuary status is regarded as a significant honour and reflects a school’s long term commitment to inclusion and belonging.

Principal Gloria Mollison first set out on the journey towards becoming a School of Sanctuary, with teachers Ms Róisín Gleeson and Ms Amy Fletcher leading the campaign throughout the school. Together, they established a dedicated student committee whose members met regularly, sharing ideas and helping to promote inclusivity and kindness throughout the school community.

The initiative quickly became a whole school effort, with staff and students enthusiastically embracing a wide range of activities, competitions and projects celebrating diversity, belonging and respect. The school’s chairperson, Reverend Isaac, also offered his full support throughout the process.

When the School of Sanctuary committee visited Charleville National School on May 10th, they were welcomed into every classroom and given a tour of the school, where children proudly showcased the many projects and initiatives they had undertaken. Committee members were deeply impressed by the atmosphere within the school and by the genuine warmth and inclusivity evident among pupils and staff alike.

The visitors remained for lunch and enjoyed entertainment from the children, while also speaking with parents about the positive experiences their families have within the school community.

Charleville National School is home to children from many different countries, cultures, traditions and language backgrounds, creating a wonderfully rich and vibrant school environment. Diversity is embraced wholeheartedly within the school, contributing to the strong sense of belonging that exists throughout the entire community.

Following their visit, the committee officially recognised Charleville National School as a Champion School of Sanctuary, praising the exceptionally high standard of inclusivity, kindness and welcome shown by the staff, students and wider school community. The committee noted that they were “unbelievably impressed” by the atmosphere created within the school, a testament to the care, compassion and community spirit that is clearly at the heart of Charleville National School.

Mrs Jenny Horner

Diocesan Communications Officer, Meath & Kildare 086 342 0299
dco@meathandkildare.org

www.meathandkildare.org

Facebook

]]> https://www.ireland.anglican.org/news/13365/charleville-national-school-tullamore-announced https://www.ireland.anglican.org/news/13321/new-dean-of-derry-appointed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 08:47:00 +0000 The Rector of St Augustine’s Church, Rev Nigel Cairns (pictured below), has been appointed Dean of Derry and Rector of the new parish grouping of Templemore & St Augustine’s, a merger which brings together two of Londonderry’s best–known city centre churches.

News of the appointments was shared with the congregations of St Columb’s Cathedral and St Augustine’s at services on Sunday morning. It is expected that a Service of Installation will be held in early summer at which the Dean–elect will formally succeed Very Rev Raymond Stewart who retired at the end of last year.

Rev Cairns’ appointment as Rector was made following a Board of Nomination meeting, while his appointment as the new Dean was made by the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Andrew Forster.

The Dean–elect, who was born and reared in Londonderry, says he and his wife, Alison, are looking forward to this exciting new chapter in their lives. “As a son of the city, I feel both humbled and blessed to be appointed Dean of Derry and Rector of Templemore, which now encompasses St Columb’s and St Augustine’s.

“For a whole host of reasons both of these churches, and the people, are very close to the hearts of my wife, Alison, and I. We are looking forward, under God, to being part of the Christian witness and ministry within The Walls and I would encourage the parishioners of both churches to prayerfully support and embrace this exciting new beginning as we build and grow together.

“I would like to thank Alison, our children Megan and Matthew, Bishop Andrew, the congregations and my fellow clergy for their encouragement and prayers.”

The Dean–elect grew up in Londonderry’s Waterside and was educated at Lisnagelvin Primary School, Clondermott High School, Foyle College and Stranmillis University College, where he qualified as a primary school teacher. He taught in schools in Limavady, Artigarvan and Omagh before leaving the profession to train for ministry in the Church of Ireland. He was ordained to the Diaconate in September 2016 and priested in September 2017.

]]> https://www.ireland.anglican.org/news/13321/new-dean-of-derry-appointed https://www.ireland.anglican.org/news/13319/christ-church-cathedral-dublin-represented Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:47:00 +0000 The Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, the Very Revd Dermot Dunne, and the Residentiary Precentor, Canon Roy Byrne, spent just over a week in the USA in early March representing Christ Church Cathedral, primarily at the annual Episcopal Parish Network conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. Here, Canon Byrne writes about their visit and the warm welcome they received while sharing the message of the cathedral and its forthcoming millennium celebrations.

The Dean and I travelled to the United States on Friday 27 February to carry out networking engagements with the Episcopal Church and to attend and represent the cathedral at the annual Episcopal Parish Network (EPN) conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. Arriving in Atlanta, Georgia, we travelled firstly to St Philip’s cathedral to meet the dean of Atlanta, the Very Revd Samuel G Candler and his wife. On Saturday 28 February we toured the impressive cathedral complex of schools, offices, meeting areas and cathedral proper. St Philip’s cathedral was built 67 years ago, in the early English Gothic style of architecture, utilising steel supports, rather than stone, buttressing the walls of Tennessee quartzite. The cathedral boasts a Celtic cross over the altar and an impressive suite of stained–glass windows designed by Elizabeth Gaudin of the Willet Studio and dating from 1962. One of the window roundels depicts Ireland’s own St Columba.

We then visited the latest addition to the cathedral complex, the newly constructed octagonal chapel known as the Good Faith Chapel. The cathedral’s newest worship space will afford the community an extended opportunity for prayer, contemplation, worship and education with the aim being to accommodate worship in many forms and configurations. The chapel will contain a movable altar and chairs—designed especially for the space by Luke Hughes—while the roof boasts an oculus, a 20–foot–wide clear glass, bowed window to provide an unobstructed view of the sky and to be ‘an eyepiece to the heavens’, to use Dean Samuel’s words. Five large LED screens will adorn the walls with digital content, specifically crafted for each liturgical event or season. The chapel floor will be carpeted with a custom–made labyrinth design. The chapel is scheduled to open in the summer of 2026, and we were delighted to view this space—without its furnishings—a few weeks ahead of its official dedication.

The Dean preached at the two Sunday morning eucharists in St Philip’s cathedral on Sunday 1 March. Between the two celebrations, members from both congregations gathered for an informal discussion about religious faith in Ireland and the US, which included time for Dean Dermot to reflect on his own faith journey and our work in Dublin. This was followed by a question–and–answer session, and many who gathered spoke about their Irish connections and how much they valued their links with Ireland. As precentor, I was also able to share some pieces about my life, faith journey and work at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.

Monday was spent in preparation for the EPN conference and flying from Atlanta to Charlotte. We travelled to the EPN conference hotel on the morning of Tuesday 2 March and were quickly met by one of the conference organizers especially tasked with looking out for ‘our friends’ – the two Irish priests! We set about preparing our Christ Church Cathedral display stand (or booth, to use the American conference term). The Dean had brought two suitcases of literature, books and souvenirs, all of which we arranged to attract attention. Offering assistance to us throughout this endeavour was the Revd Donald Fishburne, who has preached in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin and was a past president of the EPN conference. Donald is now involved with organising pilgrimage tours from the USA to Ireland, mainland Europe and the Holy Land. Tuesday was designated a pre–conference day and soon the hotel was filled with over 850 delegates from all over the Episcopal Church, both clergy and lay workers. Our Christ Church stall quickly attracted the attention of the delegates, partially because of the quality and quantity of our ‘freebies’ or ‘merch’ on offer and the fact that our cathedral is about to celebrate our 1,000th birthday in 2028. Many of those who stopped to chat could barely comprehend that a building could be so old and stopped to say how delighted they were to welcome the Irish delegation.

The next few days were a bit of a proverbial blur—early morning starts, endless conversations, networking opportunities, questions answered—all done with the best of Irish charm and wit! We attended some of the main conference sessions also, the highlight of which was the interviewing of Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe by a celebratory television presenter. Primarily, though, we were there to bring the message of Christ Church and the forthcoming millennium to the American church and this we did to the very best of our ability. New friendships were forged, contacts made and we came away from the conference feeling that we did everything possible to spread the news we had to tell. We were delighted to meet representatives of the Church in Ghana, the Compass Rose Society, the Episcopal Theological Colleges, Publishing Houses, the Friends of the Anglican Pilgrim Centre in Santiago, the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion Office, Luke Hughes, Ecclesiastical Church Furnishers, and representatives of many of the Episcopal parishes, both clergy and laity.

On Saturday 7 March we travelled to St Alban’s Church, Davidson to meet with the Revd Carmen Germino and her family. St Alban’s is the home of the Homeless Jesus project, and the original statue is situated outside the main gates of the church. Carmen and her family welcomed us as old friends and the time spent with them in her beautiful church was deeply profound. Carmen’s husband Matt then sang for us the Homeless Jesus hymn which Carmen had written and which we vowed we would take back to Christ Church with us. It was beautifully sung by our own choir on Sunday 15 March.

On Sunday 8 March, the Dean preached at the two celebrations of the Eucharist in Christ Church, Charlotte and spoke also at their Sunday Faith Forum. I met with the contemporary music group and enjoyed getting to know the team and their work involving the parish’s contemporary worship. Christ Church is a large parish with two worship spaces that include the original parish church and a modern–purpose worship centre. On a Sunday morning, two services take place at the same time, one in each of the worship spaces. On any given Sunday there is also a weekly Bible study, Sunday brunch, spiritual soul care with guided prayer and journaling. Weekday activities include a Wednesday dinner buffet, Wednesday night childcare, choirs, knitting and crochet, youth activities and clergy classes. During Lent all are asked to come to the church and pray the Stations of the Cross as part of Lenten discipline. Christ Church has just opened an enormous new welcome complex with a large meeting space and catering facilities with further parish office spaces.  Parishioners are happily getting to know their latest parish property, carefully constructed and linked to the main parish buildings.

The Anglican faith is alive and well in the southern states of America and many parishes are in building and development mode. There are many projects taking place to improve and enhance the traditional role of parish and community and it is heartening to see a church live its faith both creatively and with great hope for the future. We were welcomed with open arms by all we encountered and people were delighted and indeed encouraged by our visit. Sometimes, we think of visitors to our churches as being ‘just’ tourists but there is a great appetite for something more spiritual. Spiritual tourism and pilgrimage are widely practiced by our cousins in the Episcopal Church, and it is important that we reach out and embrace this model of ministry also.

Religious faith is noticeable elsewhere outside the parish churches. It was extraordinary to walk into the Barnes & Noble book shop in Atlanta’s Peachtree Road and see the enormous Christianity section—rows upon rows of Bibles, commentaries, Christian books, and resources—far more than ever carried by Dublin’s religious bookshops. In the Atlanta airport bookshop were revolving carousels complete with mindfulness colouring books themed around the parables and the Psalms. Religiosity and faith is alive and well, and it is lived in everyday life and experience—certainly no risk of offending anyone with a ‘God bless’ or ‘Bless you’!

The Dean and I flew home on Monday 9 March and arrived back at 08:30 on Tuesday.

]]> https://www.ireland.anglican.org/news/13319/christ-church-cathedral-dublin-represented https://www.ireland.anglican.org/news/13317/a-holiday-in-south-kilkenny Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:58:00 +0000 Would you welcome the opportunity to enjoy a stay in a rectory in the beautiful South Kilkenny countryside, in the charming village of Piltown, in return for leading Sunday worship during your visit?

This opportunity is open to clergy of the Church of Ireland, and to those of Anglican or Episcopal Churches in communion with the Church of Ireland, who are in good standing within their own dioceses.

The Rectory (E32 VP08) is located in the heart of Piltown village, less than two hours’ drive from Dublin Airport. The towns of Wexford, Clonmel, and Kilkenny are all within an hour’s drive, while Cork City can be reached in under two hours. The Rectory offers comfortable accommodation, comprising two reception rooms, a kitchen, a bathroom (with shower, toilet, and washbasin), and five bedrooms, sleeping up to six people.

While the local Church of Ireland community is small in number, it is warm, welcoming, and would greatly value your ministry during your stay.

There is much to see and explore in the surrounding area, including Mount Congreve House and Gardens (18 km), Suir Valley Railway (15 km), Waterford Greenway (10 km), and the scenic Copper Coast (30 km).

Check–in is from 3.00 pm on Saturday, with departure before 10.00 am the following Saturday.

For further information or to express interest in this opportunity, please contact the Dean of Waterford, the Very Reverend Bruce Hayes.

]]> https://www.ireland.anglican.org/news/13317/a-holiday-in-south-kilkenny