30.12.2016
Ringing the Changes: Campanology at Christ Church Cathedral Dublin
Dubliners and visitors alike expectantly await the ringing out of the old year, and ringing in of the new in Christchurch Place on New Year’s Eve to the sound of nineteen bells, the largest number in the world available for full circle ringing.
To explore this little known craft of campanology, Christ Church cathedral will hold a series of lunchtime lectures at 1.10pm on the Mondays in January, unusually, taking place in the belfry itself.
The first will be given by the architectural historian, Dr Michael O’Neill, introducing the subject of towers and belfries. Dr Stuart Kinsella, the cathedral’s research advisor will give the second, outlining a history of the tower of Christ Church. The present ringing master, Mr Nigel Pelow, will give the third talk, a social history of bellringing at Christ Church based on a lifetime of experience as a ringer in Ireland. The final lecture will be given by Dr Gary McGuire, associate professor and head of the school of Mathematics and Statistics in University College Dublin, who will explain the mysteries of change–ringing, the craft of campanology itself.
Admission is free and all are welcome, although attendees are advised that with 86 steps to the belfry, those wishing to attend should allow at least 5 minutes for the ascent, and have some head for heights. Happy New year!