Decade-long new year tradition continues in Limerick city
BELLRINGERS from two city church parishes will continue the decades-long tradition of ringing in the new year at St Mary’s Cathedral.
Eight bells will toll from the tower of the ancient cathedral, located at Bridge Street in the city centre as New Year’s Eve on Sunday night turns into New Year’s Day on Monday morning.
As is tradition, people will gather on the streets outside the cathedral, where St Mary’s Prize Band will once again provide the soundtrack to a new year.
The Dean of St Mary’s Cathedral Niall Sloane said: “This is part of the tradition of the city and the cathedral. The bells have had some work done to them, so they’ve been silent most of the year, but we’re delighted to have them back in place for the new year to ring in 2024.”
Work was done on the clappers and tongues of the bells, with more to take place next year.
Mr Sloane highlighted the fact bellringers from both St Mary’s Cathedral and Mount St Alphonsus team up for the event making it an “ecumenical venture.”
Derek Mulcahy, St Mary’s Prize Band says its members have been playing at new years since the 1880s - only missing it on one occasion, 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“People come and gather who were born in the (St Mary’s) parish and if they are living elsewhere, they’d come back especially for it due to the memories they have from childhood,” he said.
People are expected to gather to welcome the new year from 11.30pm.