Diocesan News
St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick, celebrates 850th year with Service of Thanksgiving
On Saturday afternoon, 8th September (the Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin, a Service of Thanksgiving was held for 850th Anniversary of the foundation of Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick.
The Service, held in the Cathedral, was the liturgical highlight of this year’s celebration which will pay particular attention to the role of the Cathedral within the life of the City of Limerick.
The guest preacher was the Right Revd David Chillingworth, former Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church. The Bishop of Limerick, the Most Revd Dr Brendan Leahy, and the Mayor of Limerick, Councillor James Collins, participated in the Service, along with representatives from various groups within city.
Saint Mary’s, which was gifted to the Church by Donal Mor O’Brien, the last King of Thomond, has been a site of Christian worship since 1168 and it is one of the oldest buildings in Limerick City. The Service formed part of this year’s festivities which is celebrating and promoting the Cathedral within Limerick and beyond.
Speaking in advance of the service, the Dean, the Very Revd Niall J. Sloane, said: ‘The Cathedral is looking forward to this special event in which we will have an opportunity to give God thanks for 850 years of Christian witness within the City and Diocese of Limerick. I’m delighted that a number of former bishops of Limerick will be joining us for the Service along with public and civic representatives. All are welcome to attend.’
The sermon is available here.
Photograph by Keith Wiseman