A Limerick City Parish Newsletter

August 2020 Vol 3 Issue 3

www.lcp.limerick.anglican.org
1
anabhainnparish@gmail.com
Dear Parishioners

The last few months have been eventful in Limerick City Parish - and I'm not
necessarily thinking of Covid-19!

We have bid our farewells to the Rev'd Paul Fitzpatrick who is now ministering
in neighbouring Killaloe and Nenagh and also to the Rev'd Edna Wakely who is
now Rector of Castlecomer in the Diocese of Ossory. That leaves me on my
own for the moment; however, I am delighted that the Rev'd Bernie Daly will
be joining us in September, please see page 5 for more information.

Our churches have once again re-opened for worship and I want to place on
record my thanks to all those who have and continue to help with the
practicalities each Sunday.

The re-opening of our Parish School, Saint Michael's remains uncertain at

present, but I want to acknowledge the hard work and understanding of all
those within the School community, especially since the 'lockdown'. I do hope
everyone concerned is able to enjoy some time off during the Summer.

The crypt apartment in St Michael's was vacated in June and we hope to have
new tenants within the coming weeks. Thank you to Colin Marsden who
quietly and efficiently looks after this 'hidden treasure'.

Thanks to Noreen Ellerker and Craig Copley-Brown

a complete overhaul of the Cathedral archives has
taken place. Viewing the records reminded me
of the importance of the records we are privileged
to have custody of. 2
 A wonderful job has been carried out on the
grounds of the church in Abington and I thank
Bertie Swanton for co-ordinating the works there.

The livestreaming of services from the Cathedral continues - on average we get

some 300 views each Sunday

The Easter General Vestry (in essence, the AGM of the Parish) will now take
place on Wednesday 12th August at 7.30pm in St Michael's Church and I would
warmly encourage you to attend.

Wherever you find yourself this Summer, I do hope you have an opportunity to
rest and relax.

A Prayer

Almighty God, you have made us for yourself,

and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you:
Teach us to offer ourselves to your service,
that here we may have your peace,
and in the world to come may see you face to face;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

With every blessing

Niall (Dean and Rector)

3
A prayer from me for you. All the best Jeanne

4
5
Thank you to all those within the parish who have assisted in the re-opening of
the Church buildings. It’s good to be back!

The Rev’d Edna Wakely: Was instituted as incumbent of Castlecomer

(Diocese of Ossory) on 3rd July. The Dean was the preacher at the service.
We wish Edna every blessing in her new sphere of ministry.

Log onto www.churchservices.tv/limerickstmarys

Sunday services will be on air at 11.15am.
Please note change of time.

Keep active: If you like jigsaws – try one of Saint Mary’s Cathedral. Log on
to
www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=search&q=%22Saint%20Mary%27s%20cathedral%22

Anxious? This is an anxious and unsettling time for everybody. If you are
concerned about your mental health, may I direct you to the following
resource - https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/mental-health/minding-your-mental-
health-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak.html

Help! Limerick has come together like

never before to help those most in need
during the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic.
As you will be aware, members of sporting
clubs, community groups, various agencies
and organisations and individuals are
volunteering to support the elderly and
vulnerable at this time.

To contact the Response team Freephone 1800 832 005 or email

covidsupport@limerick.ie

To register to become a volunteer please email volunteer@limerick.ie

www.limerick.ie/council/services/community-and-leisure/age-friendly-
limerick/limerick-covid-19-community-response
6
 Finance and giving: The parish treasurers and envelope
recorders have received a number of donations from
parishioners which is very much appreciated. Despite the on-going situation,
the ministry and mission of the parish continues, and we are grateful to all
those who support this. THANK YOU!

If you have any questions with respect to the Christian Stewardship / Free Will
Offering ‘Envelope’ scheme, please contact Lindsay Boyle (087 7867134), Saint
Mary’s Cathedral or Trevor Lyttle (0879191314), Saint Michael’s. For general
enquiries about giving please contact the Treasurer of the appropriate church
Terry Cusack (Saint Mary’s), Daire McNamara (Saint Michael’s) or Bertie
Swanton (Abington).

Children’s Resources:

Please see www.ireland.anglican.org/parish-resources/607/covid19-resources-

for-family-activities#section-607 for a selection of resources for the junior
members of our parish.

Sympathy: We extend our deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers to:

• Karl, Gerald, Elizabeth and their families on the

death of their father, Ken Brislane
• Pascal, Marie and the O’Grady family on the
sudden and tragic death of his nephew, Niall.
• Bertie and Mary Swanton the death of her father
• Joe, Lucy and the Kavanagh family on the death
of his nephew.

Niall (Dean and Rector)

7
DEAN & RECTOR: The Very Rev’d Niall J. Sloane, The Deanery, 7 Kilbane, Castletroy, Limerick

Telephone: 061 338697 Email: dean@limerick.anglican.org Day Off: Monday

CURATE ASSISTANT: VACANT
HON ASSISTANT CLERGY: The Very Rev’d J.M.G. Sirr
LAY READERS: David McBurnie and Andrew Ellerker

Clergy Emergency Number

If you wish to contact a member of the clergy in the event of a pastoral emergency,
the number is 087-3524046. This number is strictly for calls only.

LIMERICK CITY PARISH

GLEBEWARDENS: Rector’s – Tracey Lyttle People’s – Richard Brickenden

SELECT VESTRY: Rector; Curate-Assistant, Churchwardens; Glebewardens; Ordinary Members
Adrienne Barron, Alan Bunworth, Victor Brown, Gillian Cheatley, Craig Copley Brown, Philip Cullen,
Susi Eckhardt, Lucy Kavanagh, Daire MacNamara, Frank Sheahan, Brian Shephard, Kieran Sparling
HON. SECRETARY: Tracey Lyttle
TREASURER: Terence Cusack
PAROCHIAL NOMINATORS: Richard Brickenden; Tracey Lyttle; Peter Schutz; Frank Sheehan
DIOCESAN SYNODSPEOPLE: Margaret Brickenden; Tracey Lyttle; Lucy Kavanagh; Kayt Shier;
Frank Sheahan; John St. George; Anthony O’Connell & Grainne Keays
DEAN’S/PARISH ADMINISTRATOR: Catherine Caball
PARISH PANEL: The Dean, Ros Stevenson & Kieran Sparling
INTERCESSORS GUILD: The Clergy
NEWSLINK: Gillian Cheatley
BIBLE NOTES: Margaret Schutz
CHURCH OF IRELAND GAZETTE: Terry Cusack

8
ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL
CHURCHWARDENS: Rector’s - John St. George People’s – Lindsay Boyle
DEAN’S VERGER: Craig Copley Brown
CARETAKER: Noreen Ellerker
ORGANIST: Peter Barley
READERS GUILD: Emma Melin
TOWER CAPTAIN: Mike Pomeroy
FIND US: Postal Code: V94 E068

ST MICHAEL’S CHURCH
CHURCHWARDENS: Rector’s – Keith Morrow People’s – Trevor Lyttle
CARETAKER: Kevin Beck
HON. TREASURER: Philip Cullen
SAINT MICHAEL’S HALL BOOKINGS: Susi Eckhardt
ORGANIST: Irina Dernova
READERS GUILD: Margaret Schutz
FIND US: Postal Code: V94 A0Y3

ST JOHN’S CHURCH, ABINGTON

CHURCHWARDENS: Rector’s – Anthony O’Connell People’s – Bertie Swanton
CONTACTS: Elizabeth Stanley / Bertie Swanton
ORGANIST:
HON. TREASURER: Felicity Roche
READERS GUILD: Churchwardens
FRIENDS OF ABINGTON: Bertie Swanton
PRAYER CHAIN: Elizabeth Stanley
FIND US: Postal code: V94 N230 GPS
CO-ORDINATES: Latitude: N52○ 38’09” Longitude: W008○ 24’ 53”
FACEBOOK PAGE: Abington Church, Murroe - Limerick City Parish @AbingtonChurch

9
ORGANISING YOUR WEDDING
Weddings are very special occasions in the life of any family and in the life of the church.
When considering getting married please check possible dates with the Clergy before
confirming arrangements. It is expected that couples will make a regular commitment to the
life of the church in preparation for marriage.

THE PARISH PANEL (SAFEGUARDING TRUST)

Responsibilities include:
- interviewing persons willing to serve as workers in the parish
- advising workers on their responsibilities in respect of the Code
- advising the Select Vestry in respect of its responsibilities
The Parish Panel Members are:
The Very Rev'd Niall J. Sloane, Dean
Mr Kieran Sparling & Ms Ros Stevenson

READERS & INTERCESSORS

If you would be interested in reading at services and/or leading the Prayers of the People at Parish
Communion once a month please speak to a member of the Clergy.

HOSPITAL VISITING
The Clergy would appreciate being told if parishioners are in hospital,
going into hospital, are being transferred or if they have been discharged,
and will be pleased to offer pastoral support.
A selection of prayers is available from them.

CONTACT DETAILS
The Parish Office, Saint Mary's Cathedral, Bridge Street, Limerick, Ireland V94 E068
Tel: 061 310 293 Email: cathedral@limerick.anglican.org
Website: www.lcp.limerick.anglican.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/limerickcp

10
“The consecration of the new Parish Church of Abington in the diocese of Emly
took place on Tuesday. The ceremony was of the most interesting and impressive
character, ….and cannot be readily forgotten by those who had the pleasure of
witnessing it” So wrote the correspondent of the Limerick Chronicle on
Thursday, November the 10th 1870. He goes on to note that “the weather was
exceedingly favourable and the attendance of clergy and laity from the dioceses of
Emly and Limerick was most numerous…the parishioners – comprising the gentry
and a large proportion of the respectable farming classes – attended in large
numbers, and evinced a lively interest in proceedings."

Of the church itself, he describes it as a “very

beautiful building, constructed of white, red and
buff sandstone”. Having described the interior
in some detail, he notes that “the grounds in
the vicinity of the edifice are tastefully laid
out and quite in keeping with the imposing aspect
of the building”. A view echoed by the Bishop of
Cork in his sermon, referring to his pleasure on seeing “the marks of taste and
magnificence in the erection of such a splendid edifice.” (The Bishop was preaching
in the absence of the diocesan Bishop, who - at 88 years of age – was prevented
from attending.)

The Chronicle reporter also paid tribute to the role of the Parishioners of
Abington in making possible the building of the new church at such a time: “the
erection of such a handsome structure and the interest which parishioners have
taken in the temporal and spiritual welfare of their church furnishes abundant
evidence that the work of disestablishment and disendowment has not dampened
the energies nor slackened the zeal of protestants in this rural parish” (He makes
reference here to the Irish Church Act of Disestablishment, passed by the
Westminster Parliament in 1869, and which came into force in January 1871).
Energy and zeal have been much in evidence in the life of Abington church in the
succeeding years and continues to this day, as does the interest in another
important aspect of Christian Community living, much in evidence in the Gospels
– i.e. Food and eating! The Chronicle reporter, in concluding his article, notes
that: “The congregation were subsequently entertained in different parties by Sir
11
William Barrington and Mrs. Benjamin Lucas (church wardens) and Mrs. Caleb
Powell of Clonshavoy, at their respective residences, to a sumptous luncheon!”

The building of such a church might have seemed surprising at he times, in view of
the fact that, according to the census of 1861 only one eighth of the population of
Ireland belonged to the Church of #Ireland. Various factors weakened the church
numerically and rendered it more dependent for its economic survival on the
voluntary contributions of its members. Despite this, church building continued,
Abington being an example. A meeting of Parishioners in October 1867 agreed
with the view of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners that a new church was needed
for the Parish of Abington. The “old” church, dating from the 17th century - of
which nothing now remains – was found to need “repairs of a very extensive
character.” The project of providing its replacement required public subscriptions
to provide finance and accordingly the meeting approved the opening of a
subscription list. Applications for assistance were made “to the noblemen and
gentlemen connected with the district by ties of property.” Families such as the
Barringtons made substantial contributions, while individual parishioners made
more modest donations. The total building cost was £1100, of which £250 each
was donated by Sir Matthew Barrington and Lord Concurry. The sum of £100
came from the parishioners, the rest from other sources.

The site chosen for the new church originally formed part of the medieval
Cistercian Abbey of Owney. It was founded in 1206 by Theobald Walter, Kings
Butler of Ireland, who – having acquired the lands of Owney, Arra, Eile and
Ormond – immediately invited a group of English monks to make a foundation on
the banks of the Mulcaire River and endowed it with substantial lands. The Abbey
was surrendered to the Crown at the Dissolution in 1540 and little trace now
remains – only a sketch by one Thomas Dineley, showing the Abbey in the 17th
century, gives any sense, even in its ruined state, of its previous importance.

It continued as the nucleus of the Parish of Abington

and, in 1861, the first Church of Ireland church was opened
on part of the Abbey site, roughly in the centre of the
present graveyard. This simple building, described in 1837 as
a “small, neat edifice without tower or spire… with seating
for a 100 people” continued in use for over 200 years.
During that time, the Parish was served by several notable
rectors, amongst them John Jebb, later Bishop of Limerick

12
(1810 – 1823) and Thomas le Fanu (1823 – 1845), father of the celebrated Irish
writer, Sheridan Le Fanu.

The architect chosen for the “new” Abington Church was James Rawsen Carroll
of Dublin (1830 – 1911), a distinguished designed of public buildings and churches.
He was noted for being interested in work of a personal character in which he
could express himself and for his energy and attention to detail – clearly apparent
in the ornate interior of the church. The decorative style is “Neo-gothic”, typical
of the changes in church design of Church of Ireland places of Worship in the later
19th century. Features such as different coloured sandstone, an impressive vaulted
roof depicting the “starry heavens” and a richly moulded and pointed arch
separating nave and chancel and decorated with a pattern of leaves, all add up to
an intricate, polychromatic interior, especially pleasing in a small church. Most of
the vibrantly coloured windows, from the studio of Mayer and Co. of Munich,
were installed from 1872 to 1883. A notable exception is the depiction of the
Virgin and Child with St John, which emanates from An Tor Gloine, a stained glass
studio established in Dublin in 1903 by the artist A.E. Childs (1875 – 1939),
teacher of Harry Clarke.

Down the years from its consecration, the

church has suffered from the general
decline in the size of the Church of Ireland
congregations. The departure from Ireland
of the Barrington family, commemorated in
a number of plaques in the church,
removed an important focus of the
Protestant community. However, a
proposal by the then bishop of Limerick in
the final years of the 20th century that the church should be closed due to a
dwindling congregation was vigorously and successfully resisted by the whole of
the local community, both Protestant and Catholic – a testament to the affection
in which the church is held.

Since then, its fortunes have improved. There is a small, but highly committed
regular congregation. In addition to regular services, the church holds a large
number of other celebrations; from our hugely successful flower festival (will
check the date with Elizabeth), to the annual Harvest festival and Carol services as
well as concerts and other cultural events

13
Sadly, unforeseen circumstances have forced us to cancel our programme to
celebrate our 150th anniversary this year, but we would hope that this will be a
temporary postponement only. Notwithstanding present difficulties, as a
community we look forward to the next 150 years with optimism and we warmly
welcome all who may wish to accompany us on our communal journey.

DEO GRATIAS

14
THE SPIRE SPEAKS

I AM THE SPIRE
I SIT ATOP A TOWER
ON THIS SMALL WAYSIDE
CHURCH OF ABINGTON
BUILT A CENTURY AND A HALF AGO
IN 1870 FROM SANDSTONE I WAS HEWN
AND PIECE BY PIECE CONSRUCTED VERY SOON
AND POINTED TO THE HEAVENS ABOVE
SINCE THEN I HAVE STOOD STILL, I CANNOT MOVE.

AS I OBSERVED THE ROAD WAY DOWN BELOW

NO FAST TRAFFIC THEN, THE PACE OF LIFE WAS SLOW
THE GENTRY WITH THEIR CARRIAGE, MOVING SMART
THE LABOURER WITH HIS HUMBLE ASS AND CART
IN 1920 I WAS FIFTY YEARS OF AGE

THEN STRIFE WAS ALL AROUND AND WAR AND RAGE

I HEARD CONFLICT AND THE CRACKLE OF THE GUN
AND PRAYED TO GOD THESE TROUBLES WOULD BE DONE
AND SO TO 1970, A CENTURY I HAVE SEEN
AND PONDER ON THE CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN
THE HORSE RETIRED, THE CAR TAKING ITS PLACE
MAN LANDING ON THE MOON, EXPLORING OUTER SPACE
CHURCH CONGREGATION, NOW SMALLER THAN BEFORE
SHALL THEY CONTINUE COMING THRO. THAT OLD OAK DOOR?

IN 2020,DESPITE ALL MY FEARS

BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS MADE IN RECENT YEARS
THE CHURCH BELOW LOOKS IN GOOD SHAPE AND I
STAND PROUD AND POINT TO GOD ON HIGH
BUT NOW A PLAGUE HAS FORCED THE CHURCH TO CLOSE
MY ONLY COMPANY, THE CONSTANT CAWING CROWS
BUT THIS SHALL PASS ,MY BELL WILL PEAL AGAIN
PEOPLE SHALL CONGREGATE AND SING A LOUD AMEN.

BERTIE SWANTON

15
Felicity and Kokie, two good and long time friends from Abington
enjoying a cup of tea

16
I was born in Dublin in 1929. I have spent all my adult life in the UK serving in the
RAF and was honoured with a life peerage in 1991. I still sit as an independent in
the House of Lords. Both my father (who died when I was 14) and my mother
(née Lane-Joynt) had long family backgrounds in Ireland. My father’s side, going
back several generations, lived near Portarlington. My mother’s family however
had close connections with Limerick. Her father, who died in 1902 is buried in
the Old Graveyard at Limerick Cathedral, along with his sister Hannah, in a plot
with other earlier relatives. His widow later remarried and lived in Dover. One of
her letters to my mother in 1940 describes how she was shot at by a Luftwaffe
aircraft while she was out serving tea to troops. She had had to dive into the
ditch, aged 69. She wrote that she went straight back on the road to serve tea to
the next platoon.

My mother’s grandfather, William Lane-Joynt, is

also buried in Limerick in the cemetery of what
used to be St John’s church together with his
wife and a brother. He was a well-respected
solicitor and uniquely he was Lord Mayor of
Limerick in 1862, and five years later was elected
Lord Mayor of Dublin. He was appointed Crown
and Treasury Solicitor in 1869.
He was also instrumental as President of the Limerick Literary and Scientific
Society in founding the Limerick Athenaeum. His name, as Lord Anally’s agent,
figures on the memorial in Ballyvaughan commemorating his Lordship’s private
provision of running water in the village. He officially attended the Paris Universal
Exhibition of 1889 for which the Eiffel Tower was erected. After his death his
children donated a stained-glass window in St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin to his
memory.

Lat year my daughter, Susie, and I spent a fascinating and at times nostalgic visit to
seek out where some of these relatives of ours were buried and commemorated.
We dubbed it our ancestral-gathering trip. We visited St Patrick’s in Dublin to see
the window. Surprisingly my mother never mentioned its existence to me, though
for several years after my father’s death we sometimes attended Sunday service
there.

17
Driving out of Dublin we quickly found both my father’s parents’ graves in the
grounds of the lovely St Patrick’s church cemetery at Enniskerry.

Later we visited the long abandoned and neglected Old Lea graveyard near
Portarlington. Miraculously my daughter discovered amongst the overgrown trees,
shrubs, ivy and many badly damaged tablets, two sturdy upright headstones
inscribed with the names of my father’s parents and two children who had died
young. His grandfather and other members of a large family also lie buried there.
In the course of our round Ireland journey I was also able to find and show Susie
where I had spent childhood holidays in Donegal, and Connemara.

We then moved on to the Dunraven Hotel in

Adare, to visit the Lane-Joynt resting places in Limerick.
I had many years before been to see my maternal
great-grandfather William’s grave at St John’s but had
only recently discovered – with the help of the internet
– that my mother’s father was buried in the Old Graveyard at Limerick Cathedral.
When Susie and I went there we were lucky to meet the verger, Craig Copley
Brown, who went to great trouble to locate and guide us to the plot. Sadly, due to
the way the graveyard subsides over time, the headstone had collapsed. I was
delighted, with Craig’s help, to arrange for it to be carefully re-erected for me by
Joe Marsh. Susie and I feel that a further visit to Limerick is brewing once Covid-
19 is no more, so that we can see for ourselves the re-placed headstone at this
strikingly fine and ancient cathedral.

18
The Limerick Protestant Young Men’s
Association (LPYMA) was established
in 1853 to provide suitable means for
the spiritual, mental, moral, and physical
improvement of its members, as well
as to promote both literary and scientific
study and the cultivation of artistic
taste. During the mid-nineteenth century,
there had been a great interest in
Limerick in the establishment of such
‘social clubs’ to provide men (and
women) with the appropriate means
to socialise, exercise and become learned.
The LPYMA is a prime example of such
an endeavour, with the Association
attracting some 470 members by the
1890s. At its peak in the Victorian era,
it was famous for hosting large orchestral
soirees in the Protestant Orphan’s Hall, which attracted upwards of 500 guests.

The LPYMA was governed by a committee comprising several nominated Patrons,

a President, Vice-Presidents (some 40 Vice-Presidents held office at the same
time), Clerical members (ex-officio) and Lay members. Many of Limerick’s great
and good were involved, such as Sir Alexander Shaw, Sir Francis Cleeve, Sir
Charles Barrington, Sir James Spaight, Archibald Murray and Robert Hunt.
The LPYMA purchased no.97 George Street (later O’Connell Street) in 1875, and
still operates from this building today. From this premises, the Association
operated a number of amenities for its members including: a library and reading
room, common room with smoking lounge, lecture hall, sports hall, billiards room
and sundry meeting rooms where the various literary, chess and debating groups
met. The Association was also fortunate to purchase playing fields and pavilion at
Farranshone in 1920, which brought about the establishment of various LPYMA
sporting clubs: hockey, cricket, gymnastics, bowls, tennis, rugby, croquet and
badminton. This land was sold in 1976.
19
Most of you will however associate the LPYMA exclusively with sport, and indeed
the Association enjoyed great success in hockey, tennis and cricket in particular.
One of the Association’s most famous sons was the late Stanley (Stan) de Lacy.
Stan played hockey with the LPYMA first team, going on to be capped 37 times for
Ireland, and captaining the team on many occasions, including the Lion’s tour of
Africa in 1952. In 1939, he played on the British-Irish team against Germany in
Munich on the eve of the Second World War. After the game, he was presented
with a figure of the ‘Munich Monk’s Child’ by Adolf Hitler!

The LPYMA in more recent times has seen a decline in membership as interest
wanes. However, the Association is still here, and hoping to become more active
in the near future! If anyone is interested in contacting the LPYMA, they can do so
by contacting me at craig.copleybrown@gmail.com or by post at 97 O’Connell
Street, Limerick.

The current trustees of the LPYMA are:

Philip Cullen (President), Kieron Brislane (Hon. Secretary), Craig Copley Brown
(Hon. Treasurer), Kieran Sparling, Victor Brown, Frank Sheahan, Thomas Peirce
and Thomas Clarke.
Cover photo credit: Rev Patrick Comerford, Canon Precentor

Portrait of founding member

Archdeacon Benjamin Jacob A.M.
which hangs in the boardroom of
97 O’Connell Street.

A portrait of Robert Hunt J.P. which

hangs in the boardroom of 97 O’Connell
Street.

20
LPYMA Hockey Team c.1940s. The Major Hall of the LPYMA

21
22
23
 E-mail it onto us at any time.

Please note: Only submissions in Word Format and received via e-mail will be
accepted – no postal contributions will be placed!

Thank you to all our contributors this month!!!

E-Mail Address: anabhainnparish@gmail.com

24