BELL RINGERS in Limerick, where church bells have been hand rung for more than 700 years, were honoured at a mayoral reception at the weekend. The reception was to thank the ringers for their contribution to religious and cultural life in the city and to promote the bell ringing – or campanology – tradition, which they fear is a dying art form.
There are 15 bell ringers in Limerick who assemble each Sunday morning to ring the bells at St Mary’s Church of Ireland Cathedral and at Mount St Alphonsus Redemptorist church.
A team of bell ringers travels the country to compete with other campanologists; some 36 All-Ireland titles have been won by ringers from both Limerick towers.
“When people come up and see the belfry, they are quite amazed by it so we are trying to generate an interest,” says Fr Adrian Egan of Mount St Alphonsus. “It’s an art form and it’s a music form.
“Anyone interested in getting involved can come along to St Mary’s Cathedral on Monday nights and watch the ringers practise . . . It’s not just a question of ringing one bell after another, there is an absolute language and a music to it. It’s an art but sadly less and less people are getting involved,” Fr Egan added.
Patrick Hanley (79) from Rosbrien in Limerick is the city’s longest-serving bell ringer and started 63 years ago.
Mr Hanley, whose wife Frances was one of the country’s first female bell ringers, still enjoys climbing the 63 steps every Sunday morning.
“I’m very fit because you would have to be especially when we have to go up checking out the bells. There are about 63 steps that we climb in Mount St Alphonsus,” Mr Hanley said.
“We would love to get young people involved,” he added.