Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
Cars at the Cathedral
The Dean of Limerick, the Very Revd Niall Sloane, has announced a novel form of cathedral outreach. A display of special and rare cars and motorcycles will be held in the grounds of the historic St Mary’s cathedral today (Saturday) as part of the city’s summer festival, Riverfest Limerick.
The vehicles on display will range from 110–year–old motorcycles to an autonomous self– driving car of the future. All exhibits have their own interesting stories to tell: the Smithfield Ford, for example, won the 1935 and 1936 Leinster Trophy Races, and is the only car to have completed all three of the Limerick Grand Prix races of the 1930s. Spectators will be able to get close to a line–up of iconic supercars including a gullwing Mercedes 300SL, a stunning Lamborghini Miura, a unique Jaguar E–type that was displayed at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show, and a McLaren F1 (which many regard as being the best car ever built).
Within the cathedral, visitors will have the opportunity to see rare items of motoring and aviation history, such as a piece from the first plane to fly non–stop across the Atlantic, in 1919, and the Irish flag used by the Lord Mayor to start the 1935 Limerick Grand Prix.
This event, which runs from noon until 4pm, represents a unique opportunity to see many vehicles and items that have never previously been on public display. Tickets can be bought on Eventbrite or at the gate. This is a charity event, and all profits will go to local charities.
On Monday evening at 6pm a new series of organ recitals will begin in Christ Church cathedral, Dublin. The first recitalist will be James Short, the cathedral’s Organist and Assistant Director of Music.
In St Patrick’s cathedral, Armagh, on Tuesday at 7.30pm there will be a Service of Thanksgiving for the Coronation of King Charles III. The preacher will be the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd John McDowell. In Belfast, St Anne’s cathedral will hold a special Service of Choral Evensong with Prayers for the King at 5.30pm on Friday.
A society of bellringers of St Audoen’s, Dublin, will be inaugurated on Tuesday. Those who are interested in joining are welcome to this initial meeting which will begin at 6.30pm and last until around 7.45pm. If time permits, there will be a short ring to mark the occasion! The impetus for this is the 600th anniversary of three of the bells, which will be commemorated with a service and some celebratory ringing on Saturday, 26 August.
Church Music Dublin will hold an ‘Organize Your Skills’ pipe organ workshop at 10am on Saturday, 6 May, at Monkstown Church. Led by experienced organist and tutor David Adams, this 3–hour workshop is perfect for beginners and intermediate organists. For just €25, participants will receive expert guidance on organ registration and performance, as well as the opportunity to perform a prepared piece. With about 8 participants, there will be personalized attention in a relaxed and supportive environment. Tea and coffee will be provided to keep you energized and inspired. Places may be booked at this link: Church Music Dublin – Organize Your Skills
The Revd Kevin Conroy has been appointed as the new Rector of the grouped parishes of Stillorgan & Blackrock in the Diocese of Dublin in succession to Canon Ian Gallagher who has retired. Since his ordination, Mr Conroy has balanced work in a multinational IT company with his pastoral responsibilities as a self supporting minister.
Published in the Friday edition of The Irish Times