Irish abortion bill becomes law; Clergy bikers; Bandon C of I to re-develop former school as a community facility; Non-Brethren discriminated against; Cork LGBT festival
Irish abortion bill becomes law
BBC – Abortions under limited circumstances will be allowed in the Republic of Ireland under a new law signed by President Michael D Higgins. The move came after the President convened a meeting of the Council of State to discuss the bill.
Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23507923
Putting the rev into reverend: clergymen on motorbikes
Irish Times – Three bike-loving clergymen find the pastime to be a good conversation starter and a way to unwind from a stressful job.
In the words of one, ‘it’s just heaven’
According to the song, Jesus rode a Harley Davidson, but as for Rev John Kearns, “I’m a Honda man”.
The 56-year-old was introduced to motorcycling while growing up in Corcaghan, Co Monaghan. “I’ve been at it since I was knee high to a duck. Daddy was into motorbikes.”…
… Rev Andrew McCroskery’s dream stretch is Route 66 in the US. At home he favours Kerry and the Sally Gap in Co Wicklow, especially in the summer months. He is a member of Gaelic Chapter Ireland – a club for Harley Davidson owners – but rarely attends events as they often happen on Sunday mornings. “That’s a major clash,” he laughs.
The 39-year-old is originally from Belfast, but grew up in Bangor, Co Down. He has been the vicar at St Bartholomew’s Church of Ireland in Dublin’s Ballsbridge since 2008. He uses his Harley VRSC a lot for work. “This parish is very scattered – there are people as far away as Meath and Wicklow. Irish weather isn’t conducive to biking most of the time, but I still brave it.”
Church of Ireland in Bandon to re-develop former school as a community facility
Southern Star – Thanks to the Church of Ireland’s Bandon Union of Parishes, the long-time derelict former St Fintan’s National School, Gallows Hill, Chapel Street, is set to enjoy a new lease of life as a parish centre and facility for the wider community.
The announcement, made by Cllr Andrew Coleman at the monthly meeting of Bandon Town Council, was warmly welcomed by fellow members.
Cllr Coleman told The Southern Star that from the late 18th century, there was a Roman Catholic chapel and the site for this was donated by the Earl of Bandon. The church closed in 1861.
‘There was always a school on the site from around 1800 which operated up until 1882 when it was demolished and there was also a house for the principal. The present building was opened on the site in 1895 as Ballymodan Boy’s School.’
The school name was changed in 1938 and became St Fintan’s NS which provided classes from junior infants up to second class. Pupils then progressed over to Warner’s Lane, Casement Road to attend St Patrick’s School.
‘The school at Gallows Hill closed in 1992, with the amalgamation of St Fintan’s and St Patrick’s NS into one school building at the old Presentation Convent site on Convent Hill. The former St Fintan’s NS has become derelict since, with a number of different developments planned for the site that never materialised, but overall, it became a source of concern due to its deteriorating condition, as well as some young people trespassing into it, causing serious vandalism, and holding illicit drinking parties,’ said Cllr Coleman.
Rev Denis MacCarthy, Rector of Bandon, told The Southern Star that the Union of Parishes was very cognisant of the rich heritage of the building and its site and would be sensitive to that in the development work, the aim of which was a facility in the heart of the community for the community. Any old photographs and information about it were welcome and when completed, it was hoped to exhibit these and invite back past pupils for the opening. Enquiries are welcome at 087 2670179.
http://www.southernstar.ie/News/Church-of-Ireland-in-Bandon-to-re-develop-former-school-as-a-community-facility-30072013.htm
Non-Brethren discriminated against
BBC – A tribunal finds that a Newtownabbey firm discriminated against an employee because he was not a member of the Brethren religious community.
Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-23504602
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/ulster-firm-used-religious-discrimination-1-5334378
Cork LGBT festival
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/cork-lgbt-pride-festival-hope-to-get-people-out-in-every-sense-238307.html