HANDEL'S MESSIAH
The Irish Chamber Orchestra (ICO) together with Chamber Choir Ireland will perform 'Handel's Messiah' a musical spectacular that has long been synonomous with the Yuletide season, at St. Mary's Cathedral on Friday, December 12th beginning at 7.30pm. The initial performance of this musical extravanza was first performed in Dublin's Fishamble Street in 1742. What a treat lies in store for genuine music lovers within the confines of our musical culture conscious city! You are advised to book now, as tickets are being booked at a rapid rate. For booking visit www.chamberchoirireland.com
MEMORIES
An invitation to a time of reflection & remembering our departed loved ones on Thursday 27th November at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church
ADVENT
A time of reflection in preparation for Christmas 2 Advent Reflection Sessions in St. Nicholas’ Prayer Chapel Monday, Dec 1st & Monday, Dec 15th at 7.30pm. All are welcome
MEDITATION
Our group meets every Tuesday for about 20 minutes of meditation at 10.45am in St. Nicholas Parish Prayer Room. Everyone is welcome! “All God asks of humanity is that they be faithful to the present moment.”
ADORATION
Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament at St. Mary's Church every Wednesday following the 10am Mass, from 10.30 – 11.30.
MARY STREET AND 'CHRONICLE'
Way back in time 'The Chronicle' newspaper, established in 1766, had its premises in Quay Lane, and later moved to Mary Street, where in later years, Broderick's Chemist Shop stood for many decades. This was indeed a good move because that particular street was considered one of the chief thoroughfares in the latter part of the 1700s going into the 1800s. In the words of a 'chronicler' we read the following: 'Just how important a move this was in the history of the newspaper may be judged by the fact that Mary Street had been, with Nicholas Street, Broad Street and John Street, the principal thoroughfare of the old walled city. More prestigious was the fact that the nearby Exchange was still the centre of business and trade, it was the location of the famous 'nail' now on display in the Limerick Museum, a pedestal where debtors 'paid on the nail'.
WISE WORDS
'A forest is in an acorn'.
'Peel a fig for your friend, a peach for your enemy'.
'He who wants a rose must respect the thorn'.
'The turtle lays 1000s of eggs without anyone knowing, but
when a hen lays one egg the whole world is informed'.
THE CASTLE BARRACKS
The famous Castle Barracks were erected in the 1770s in the grounds of King John's Castle and were occupied, and were ocupied by the British military up to the establishment of the State. It was eventually demolished and many years late houses were built there. However, we had five more military fortifications around the city, namely: St. John's Barracks, Sarsfield Barracks, the Ordnance Barracks, the Strand Barracks, and the O'Curry Street Barracks.
POET MICHAEL HOGAN
Also referred to as the Bard of Thomond, Mchael Hogan was born at New Road, Thomondgate at the beginning of November in the earlier part of the 19th century. He was baptised in St. Munchin's Church. Although not having very much schooling (he didn't like it there), lampooning some of his classmates and maybe teachers also, he managed in later years to outclass the local literati of his time, and even perhaps some further afield. He lived a modest, oft frugal life, working in Loch Mills from dawn to dark. His wife, Nannie, bore no offspring, however, he did have a few brothers. To date, he has two highly acclaimed descedants, Mike and Noel Hogan, of the outstandingly famous band, that of the Cranberries, who helped to fund the re-publishing of his famous collection of poems, 'Lays and Legends of Thomond'. I could go on all day as to his life that has become firmly lodged in my mind, but space does not permit. Just to mention that 'Friends of the Bard' were instrumental in having a statue erected to him on 2005, sculpted by Limerick-man, Jim Connolly, and funded by the late Peter Hogan, of Savannah, Georgia, a direct descendant of the Bard, who actually spent his honeymoon in our once palatial, Cruises Hotel. The plinth was funded by Limerick Corporation. A public invitation was issued in the 'Limerick Leader' for some time prior to the unveiling, and the event, which was graced by our local, St. Mary's Fife and Drum Band, was exceptionally well-attended. On the day, the bells of St. Mary's Cathedral pealed out joyfully, thus marking the significance of the very special occasion. Our highly gifted poet, who lived most of his life in penury, died in a room on Rutland in April 1899, and his funeral was attended by the then Mayor, John Daly, as well as many Council members.
BARD'S PARISH CONNECTION
For some time following his marriage at St. Mary's Church in 1858, our Bard and his wife, Nannie, lived in rooms directly opposite the Old Exchange. In later years prior to his departure to America, and he feeling desperately depressed, he entered the grounds of St. Mary's Cathedral, sat on a bench while he reminisced on his sad fate as the bells of our magnificent Cathedral echoed across the shimmering Shannon tide. He brought with him on his trip forty copies of his hard-back poetry collection entitled, 'Lays and Legends of thomond'.
