Welcome to the official website of the Irish Association of Change Ringers.

Ronnie King Memorial Bench Dedication & Patterson Cup Competition

​Prior to the Patterson Cup Competition, around 50 bellringers and members of St Donard’s Parish Church gathered for the dedication of the Ronnie King Memorial Bench.

​Colin Jeffery read a short speech celebrating Ronnie’s memory before the Reverend Jan Stevenson formally dedicated the bench, and the Reverend Dave Thomas offered a prayer. Following the dedication, Betty King had the honor of being the first person to sit on the memorial bench.

​Patterson Cup Results

​Following the ceremony, three teams competed in the Patterson Cup Competition:

​St Nicholas, Carrickfergus

​St Mark’s, Dundela

​St Malachy, Royal Hillsborough

​The competition showcased an exceptionally high standard of ringing across all teams. St Nicholas, Carrickfergus were declared the winners of the Patterson Cup, which was presented by Association President Simon Walker.

​Overall Results:

1st Place – St Nicholas, Carrickfergus – 25 faults

2nd Place – St Mark’s, Dundela – 32 faults

3rd Place- St Malachy, Royal Hillsborough – 49 faults

Annual Ringing Festival

Please find attached invitation to the IACR Ringing Festival due to be held in the Eastern District  and Menu detail for Annual Dinner

Friday 23rd October: Christchurch practice, meet 18:30

Saturday 24th October:

•  St Audoens 10 to 11
• Christchurch 11:30 to 13:30
• St Patrick’s 2 to 4

Sunday:

I’ll need to double check due to the Dublin City marathon.

Dinner arrangements to be confirmed. Likely booking at 6pm in the city.

On behalf of Association Ringing – Niamh Hickey

Ronnie King Memorial Bench Dedication and Patterson Cup 

Before the Patterson Cup competition commences at 7:00 pm on Monday, 12th October 2026, a short ceremony will be held at St Donard’s, Belfast, at the front of the Tower. We will be dedicating a memorial bench in fond memory of the late Ronnie King, a deeply valued and lifelong bellringer. You are warmly invited to attend, and further details can be found on the attached invitation.

Association Ringing Festival

The Association Ringing Festival will take place in the – Eastern District – Saturday 24th October 2026 – details to be circulated.

Northern District Update

The Northern District young ringers practice on Saturday 26th September has been cancelled.

Please can you inform your respective tower members.

Association and District Practices September – December 2026

• Southern District – Sam Maguire Community Bells, Dunmanway – Saturday 26^th September 2026 – 14.00 – 16.00
• Northern District – St Bronagh, Rostrevor – Saturday 3rd October 2026 – 14.00 – 16.30
• Eastern District – St. Peter’s, Drogheda – Saturday 10^th October2026 – 14.00 – 16.00
• Northern District – St Donard’s, Belfast – Monday 12th October 2026 – 19.00 – 20.45 -Please find attached the Patterson Cup competition rules as discussed at the management committee meeting 26/7/2026 and as previously agreed at the AGM on 11/4/2026.
• Association Ringing Festival – Eastern District – Saturday 24th October 2026 – details to be circulated.
• Southern District – St Peter’s, Bandon – Fred Bogan Trophy – Saturday 24^th October 2026 – 14.00 – 16.00
• Northern District – St Mark’s Dundela – Saturday 7^th November 2026 – Adamson Cup Competition and District Practice following Cup Competition – 14.00 – 16.30 –  Please find attached the Adamson Cup competition rules as discussed at the management committee meeting 26/7/2026 and as previously agreed at the AGM on 11/4/2026.
• Eastern District – Christ Church, Taney  – Saturday 14^th November 2026 – 14.00 – 16.00
• Southern District – Cathedral of Blessed Trinity, Waterford – Saturday 28^th November  – 11.00 – 13.00
• Northern District – St Malachy, Hillsborough – Saturday 5^th December 2026 – 14.00 – 16.30
• Eastern District – Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin – Saturday 12^th December 2026 – 14.00 – 16.00