Bell Ringers

Every Monday evening, 8.15pm to 10pm is practice is in St. Mary’s (Except Public holidays)

Sincere sympathies to two of our ringers, Mike and Stewart Howes, on the death of their mother, Muriel, last weekend. A member of the Cathedral choir for most of her life, the bells rang half-muffled as Muriel left St. Mary’s for a final time, for her resting place in the Cathedral grounds. The team who rang were:-Treble: Alan Hegarty; 2: Philip Talbot; 3: Mike Pomeroy; 4: Bryan Brislane; 5: Darrell Brislane; 6: Gerry O’Shea; 7: Christy Pratt; Tenor: Kieron Brislane.

On April 1st 2012 St. Mary’s Cathedral team participated in the annual RR Cherry Cup in St Fachtna’s Cathedral, Rosscarberry. With seven teams ringing, most to a high standard, the home team were declared the victors, pipping St. Mary’s by 88 faults to 99 over the 10-minute test piece. Both teams will now represent the Southern District at the Murphy Cup, in Dublin on the 19th May. The team who rang last Sunday was ..… Treble: Alan Hegarty; 2: Gerry O’Shea; 3: Mike Pomeroy; 4: Stephen Jordan; 5: Kieron Brislane; Tenor: John Love.

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The Annual General Meeting of St. Mary's Cathedral Society of Bellringers
Took place on Monday 14th November 2011
The results from the AGM are:

President: Dean Sirr
Vice President: Tom Marsden
Captain: Mike Pomeroy
Vice-Captain: Gerry O'Shea
Tower Keeper: Mike Pomeroy
Secretary/Treasurer:Clare Foley
Southern Dist. Rep.: Pat Mulcahy
Social Organiser: Clare Foley

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St Mary’s Cathedral retained the RR Cherry cup in Waterford, on Sunday the 3rd of April 2011. Ringing in fourth position, the Limerick team scored 68 faults from St Fin Barre’s, Cork in second place who scored 92 faults. The “home” team, Christ Church Waterford, and St Mary’s Doneraile tied for 3rd place with Abbeystrewry Skibereen in 5th place. St Mary’s Cathedral will now represent the Southern District in the annual Murphy Cup competition – which will be held in St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Saturday 21st May 2011.

St. Mary’s Cathedral team stood as follows:

Treble, Clodagh Lynch
2, Jack Sciascia;
3, Gerry O'Shea
4, Mike Pomeroy
5, Kieron Brislane
6, Stephen Holmes
7, Christy Pratt
Tenor, Jonathan Boyle

Many many thanks to Jonathan who travelled down from Dublin to ring with his home tower – it is very much appreciated by all the team.
Full results and one or two photos are at this link
http://www.bellringingireland.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=72:cherry-cup&catid=31:front-page&Itemid=1

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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 Clare Foley at claredotcom@gmail.com mobile (086 1065834)

On Wednesday August 22nd 2008, 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, Clare Foley at claredotcom@gmail.com or mobile 086 1065834
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 (Office); +353 (0)61 331693 (Home); michael.pomeroy@ul.ie

Secretary:- Contact Clare Foley
Mobile email: +353 (0)86 1065834
Email:claredotcom@gmail.com