The Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, has retired after eight years in office. The very Rev Maurice Stewart preached at his last service in the cathedral yesterday.
Originally from Belfast, he was ordained in 1952 and served in Northern parishes and teachings posts before moving to Dublin in 1969 where he became a lecturer in divinity studies and subsequently vice-principal of the Church of Ireland Theological College.
He was elected dean in 1991 and concentrated his efforts on the cathedral and its structures and especially the problems posed by increasing numbers of tourists.
He initiated a permanent exhibition, "Living Stones", which opened at the cathedral on Friday to inform visitors about the role and history of the cathedral.