Apology to C of I rector from Rose of Tralee chiefs; Radio Connor; Part of stolen bronze bell is recovered; Farming bodies against asset testing for third-level grants; More FG TDs revolt against Quinn student grant review; Alliance to vote on gay marriage; NI ‘needs mixed-sex ward policy’
Apology to C of I rector from Rose of Tralee chiefs
The Church of Ireland rector in Tralee has said he has received an apology from the organisers of the annual Rose of Tralee festival over the organising of the festival’s religious service this year.
The issue arose in July when Rev Robert Warren, who is also Archdeacon of Limerick, Ardfert and Aghadoe, questioned in his parish newsletter whether the festival was now “a Roman Catholic festival” and was forgetting its roots and traditions in the community.
He explained how the Church of Ireland had shared a rota with the town’s three Catholic churches in hosting the main religious event.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0809/1224321805855.html
Radio Connor
The Bishop of Connor will be contributing‘Thought for the Day’ live on BBC Radio Ulster for five consecutive Friday mornings – September 7, 14, 21 and 28 and October 5.
Jonathan Veira Tour
Jonathan Viera will be swapping Glyndebourne and London’s Royal Opera House for the more intimate stage of St Patrick’s Parish Church, Ballymoney on on Saturday, September 15. Full report at Music on this site.
Part of stolen bronze bell is recovered
About half of a rare bronze bell, stolen from the the Ivy Leaf theatre, formerly the Church of Ireland church in Castleisland, has been recovered.
Gardaí in Co Kerry uncovered parts of the bell, which had been broken up and placed in plastic bags, in undergrowth in a lane in Castleisland on Monday evening at the opposite end of the town to the theatre.
The bell, weighing 350lb and standing 2½ft high, had been removed from its shelf by thieves three weeks ago. It was cast near Cheltenham in 1776 and bears the date. After a fire at the former church, it had been placed on the 12ft shelf inside the theatre.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0809/1224321805940.html
Farming bodies against asset testing for third-level grants
Interest groups say the move could result in children from low-income families being refused maintenance assistance.
http://www.thejournal.ie/farming-bodies-against-asset-testing-for-third-level-grants-550912-Aug2012/
More FG TDs revolt against Quinn student grant review
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/more-fg-tds-revolt-against-quinn-student-grant-review-3195125.html
Alliance to vote on gay marriage
Senior Alliance Party members are to vote on whether to adopt a new policy in favour of legalising gay marriage in Northern Ireland.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19188530
NI ‘needs mixed-sex ward policy’
A single policy on treating hospital patients in mixed-sex wards is needed across all of Northern Ireland’s five health trusts, according to a report.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19188883