Dublin appointments; Reception for Dean Victor Stacey; Music in Calary Church; Lunchtime Recital; Special service to honour the Queen
Dublin appointments
The Reverend Roy Byrne has been appointed a Canon of Christ Church Cathedral. He was appointed to fill a vacancy in the cathedral chapter following the retirement of the Revd Canon Ben Neill as rector of the parish of Dalkey in June. He has been rector of Drumcondra, North Strand and St Barnabas for since 2008.
The Venerable Robert Warren has been appointed rector of Taney parish. He is currently Archdeacon of Limerick, Ardfert and Aghadoe in the Diocese of Limerick and is Rector of the Tralee union. Robert is married to Vera and they have two grown–up children, John, an airline pilot and Sarah, a primary school teacher. His interests include rugby (as a former Munster referee), hill walking, gardening and music. Ordained in 1978, he has formerly served as curate of St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick, rector of Adare Union and has been rector of the vast parish of Tralee, Ballymacelligott and Dingle Union since 1988. In addition, as archdeacon, diocesan secretary and registrar of Limerick, Ardfert and Aghadoe Diocese, and as secretary to the diocesan Board of Education, he has a track–record in church administration. His community commitment is epitomised by his role in the Rotary movement and he was honoured as the District Governor for Ireland 2001–02.
The Revd Canon Mark Gardner has been appointed rector of the newly established parish of St Catherine and St James and St Audoen. The new parish was formerly the St Patrick’s Cathedral Group of parishes with Canon Gardner as its vicar. As result of legislation passed at General Synod, it became a parish in its own right following the retirement of the Very Revd Robert MacCarthy as Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral.
The Revd Ian Gallagher has been appointed Rural Dean of the new Monkstown North area. Subject to ratification at the Diocesan Synod in October, Monkstown Rural Deanery has been separated into two distinct areas: Monkstown North and Monkstown South. The Revd John Tanner, rector of Tullow, remains Rural Dean but his area now covers Monkstown South which comprises Dalkey, Kill O the Grange, Killiney Holy Trinity, Killiney/Ballybrack and Tullow. The Revd Ian Gallagher, rector of Stillorgan with Blackrock, has been appointed Rural Dean of Monkstown North which covers Booterstown and Mount Merrion, Dun Laoghaire, Glenageary, Monkstown and Stillorgan with Blackrock.
Reception for Dean Victor Stacey
The Select Vestry and parishioners of Christ Church with Mariners, Dun Laoghaire, are holding a farewell reception for Dean Victor Stacey, their rector of 17 years. The reception will take place on Saturday July 14 at the Church Hall, Park Road, Dun Laoghaire, from 3.00 pm to 4.30 pm.
Music in Calary Church
The summer season at Calary Church continues. On Wednesday July 18, Finghin Collins (piano), Elizabeth Cooney (violin) and Carol McGonnell (clarinet) will perform works by Stravinsky, Ravel, Khachaturian and Schoenfeld. On Thursday July 19, Anna Cashell (violin), accompanied by Inju Oh (piano) will perform works by Mozart, Bloch, Korngold, Kreisler, Bach and Beethoven. Both concerts begin at 8.00 pm and tickets, which are €15 or €12 for concessions, can be booked by emailing Derek at derekneilson@eircom.net or phoning John at (01) 2818146. The concerts are kindly sponsored by Wicklow County Council and FBD.
Lunchtime Recital
Tanya Sewell (mezzo–soprano) sings Poulenc, Schumann, Rossini and others at a lunchtime concert at St Ann’s Church, Dawson Street on July 19 at 1.15 pm. She will be accompanied by Alison Young on piano. Admission is free. For more information contact 01–6767727.
Special service to honour the Queen
The enthusiasm and excitement surrounding the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend celebrations at the beginning of June was rekindled in Garvaghy Parish Church (Down & Dromore) at the end of the month. On Sunday 24 June the parish held a special service to commemorate the Jubilee ahead of Her Majesty’s visit to Northern Ireland on the following Tuesday.
The church was specially decorated with red white and blue floral arrangements and pictures of Queen Elizabeth II at various stages of her life. Parishioners were invited to “dress to impress” and many did make a special effort from very smart outfits, period dress, through morning dress to ball gowns. There were little princesses and one knight who arrived complete with sword.
The service followed Morning Prayer and Canon Leeke welcomed the special guests from Banbridge District Council, Mrs Joan Baird (outgoing Chairman) and Mrs Olive Mercer. He also welcomed members of the family of the late Mr Stanley Ferguson who had donated monies to the choir in his memory.
Miss Edna Ferguson, Organist, and the choir made a special effort to use music from the Coronation with the organ voluntaries including Purcell’s “Trumpet Tune”, Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance” and “Nimrod” as well as Holst’s “Jupiter”. The choir sang the C Hubert H Parry anthem “I was glad” and the National Anthem was preceded by the Gordon Jacob Fanfare.
During the Service Canon Leeke dedicated Chant books for use by the choir as well as Jubilee New Testament Bibles purchased by the choir in memory of the late Mr Stanley Ferguson. The New Testaments were then presented to each family by Mrs Joan Baird. Mrs Mary McKay, daughter of the late Mr Ferguson, presented Mrs Baird with a bouquet of flowers from the Ferguson family.