PHOTOS: Saint Mary’s Cathedral Limerick 850th Anniversary Programme

Saint Marys Cathedral Limerick 850th Anniversary Programme

Saint Marys Cathedral Limerick 850th Anniversary Programme

On Tuesday, January 30th, 2018, the Bishop of Limerick, the Rt Rev’d Dr. Kenneth Kearon alongside the Dean of the Cathedral Niall Sloane launched Saint Mary’s Cathedral Limerick 850th-anniversary programme. Saint Mary’s was gifted to the Church by Donal Mor O Brien, the last King of Thomond and the great-great-great grandson of Brian Boru has been a site of Christian worship since 1168 and it is one of the oldest buildings in Limerick City.

Saint Marys Cathedral Limerick 850th Anniversary celebrated and promoted the Cathedral’s roles in city life including – community, civic, cultural, educational, ecumenical, musical, sporting and tourism. The Dean of the Cathedral,  the Very Rev’d Niall J. Sloane commented that while they are celebrating the history of the event, they also hope to, “as part of the year it’s opening it up to the city of Limerick and the wider community. The main themes for the year are welcoming in, so anybody is welcome to come in, and symbolically, the west doors are open tonight, which should have been the doors to Donal Mor’s medieval palace.”

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Highlights of Saint Marys Cathedral Limerick 850th Anniversary included a visit from the Choir of Kings College, Cambridge and a special service of thanksgiving.  Each month the Cathedral will highlight a figure associated with Saint Marys and there will also be a tangible dimension to the celebrations as each month will focus on a charity or cause based in or around Limerick.

Speaking of Saint Marys Cathedral Limerick 850th, the Dean, the Very Rev’d Niall J. Sloane says “Saint Mary’s holds a very special place in the city of Limerick and its citizens.  It has been a royal palace – no doubt, a place of story-telling, feasting and celebrations.  Over the succeeding centuries, it has witnessed unique events, welcomed countless people through its doors and marked key moments in the lives of Limerick people.  Today, as it continues to be a place of pilgrimage and prayer, it has a unique role to play within all aspects of the city and diocesan life.  The central theme of our celebrations in 2018 will be opening our doors to all and forging links with Limerick and beyond so that we may echo the Christian message of faith, love, and witness.  I invite you to join us as we celebrate this historic occasion and give thanks for Saint Mary’s Cathedral”.

The celebrations for this magnificent event are continuing as the community gathers to celebrate the time that the cathedral has stood proud overlooking Limerick. On Saturday, April 21st the Church will be hosting a concert featuring the work of Beethoven and Haydn with Limerick Sinfonia, St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir and Anchór at 8pm. Tickets for this fantastic event will be available on the St. Mary’s Cathedral website, linked below. Tickets are priced at €20 or €15 for concessions.

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