Bell Ringers

St. Mary’s Cathedral Bellringers defended the Southern District title when retaining the RR Cherry Cup in St. Peter’s Church, Bandon on Sunday the 5th of April 2009. Only 5 of the eligible 9 towers were present, but there still was a strongly fought contest. Final results showed St. Mary’s Cathedral leading the way with 35 faults, with St. Mary’s Doneraile in 2nd place with 63 faults. That was only 2 scores ahead of St. Fin Barres Cathedral with 65, St. Canice’s Kilkenny and Abbeystrewry Church Skibereen were the other participants. St. Mary’s team was as follows:- Treble Clodagh Lynch, 2 Alan Hegarty, 3 Gerry O’Shea, 4 Mike Pomeroy, 5 Bryan Priestly, Tenor Christy Pratt. Both St. Mary’s Limerick and St. Mary’s Doneraile will now represent the Southern District in the Murphy Cup competition in Dublin in May. Many congratulations to the Redemptorist Community in Mt. St. Alphonsus on the opening of the fine, new St. Clement’s College on 26th March. Ringers from both towers ensured that everybody arriving for the ceremony heard the bells at their magnificent best.

If you are looking for something different to do with the evenings closing in….Read on. If you have looked into St. Mark’s Chapel in the Cathedral any time over the last few weeks you will have noticed an addition to the fabric in there - a mini-ring! A set of 10 small bells that are hung and function very similarly to the real tower bells - except in miniature. The heaviest is only a few pounds in weight versus the 24 cwt. of the “upstairs” bells. On the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month the Cathedral ringers will be practicing on the mini-ring instead of the “real” bells - and are extending an invitation to anyone and everyone to join them, from 8.30 p.m. onwards. After 5 minutes of tuition anyone aged 7 to 77 and beyond will be able to ring them. No question! If you have always wondered what went on “up the tower” but never ventured upstairs, this is the perfect opportunity. Come along and enjoy the camaraderie of the bell-ringing fraternity without the hassle of a long climb! More details from Mike Pomeroy (086 - 171 5791) or Kieron Brislane (086 - 0575 759)

On Wednesday August 22nd, St. Mary’s saw a new ring of bells installed in St. Mark’s Chapel, albeit temporarily. There are 10 bells which are hung in a galvanised steel frame which can be reasonably easily dismantled and transported. The bells and frame were cast and built by Higby Bell Engineering in Somerset and the heaviest bell weighs 16 lb (about 7.5 kilograms). The bells have been acquired for Limerick ringers not only to practice on and more importantly to be able to show parishioners of St. Mary’s and visitors how tower bells are rung, because they are rung in exactly the same way. It is also hoped that those ringers who can no longer make it up the stairs will get back to ringing on the mini-bells. Because they are easy to learn to ring on and there is no danger in ringing them, it is hoped that children and young adults will have a go to see if they might like to learn bell ringing and to progress in change ringing far faster than they would on the tower bells. Already a six year old girl is able to ring one for a few minutes after about 10 minutes tuition. Of course the intended spin off is to get more ringers to ring the tower bells. Enquiries about the mini-bells can be made to Mike Pomeroy on michael.pomeroy@ul.ie.

Visitors are welcome both to join in service ringing and practice evenings. Contact the Tower Secretary, Kieron Brislane with requests for use of bells.

Ringers meet at 10.30am onwards for Sunday morning ringing
Practice evening is Monday, from 8.00pm to 10.00pm
(by prior arrangement, as a key is required to enter the Cathedral).

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Bell Details from a Tablet in the Cathedral
Click here for a full screen version of the Tablet

winning
L to R - Alan Hegarty, Mike Pomeroy, Ken Brislane, Bryan Priestley, Gerry O'Shea, Mike Howes, Kieron Brislane, John Sturdy.

Committee/Contact details

Captain : Mike Pomeroy
+353 (0)61 202200 (o); +353 (0)61 331693 (h); michael.pomeroy@ul.ie

Secretary:- Contact Kieron Brislane
Telephone : +353 (0)61 396049 (home) and +353 (0)61 223757 (desk)
email: kieron_brislane@dell.com
Postal Address:
"Redwood",
Cloongownagh,
Kildimo,
Co. Limerick.
Ireland