Update 15th October
It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Ronnie King a long serving ringer in St Donard’s Belfast. Ronnie was one of the original ringing members from 1950. Ronnie has served in various Association Office positions within the IACR from Northern District Chairperson, Vice President, and Northern District Representative.
For anyone who wishes to attend the funeral service for Ronnie King, the Funeral service will take place on Wednesday 22nd October 2025 @ 10am in St Donard’s Parish Church, Belfast.
Update 13th October 2025
Please note that the issue with the links to all the towers from both the Towers and Districts tabs has re-occurred. Our Web Provider is currently working to get all links back to normal. Apologies for any problems this may cause.
Parking at St Mark’s, Dundela on 25th October 2025
St Mark’s is holding a craft fair in the church hall next to the church on Saturday 25th October between 10 am and 4pm, on the same day as the Association Ringing Festival. Parking in the church grounds may be limited. There is street parking across the road. St Mark’s emphasises that no one should park on the flagstones at the church entrance.
Website Tower Links
Update 02 October 2025 – The issue described below has now been fixed — The page is working as expected.
Please note that there is an issue with the links to all the towers from both the Towers and Districts tabs. Our Web Provider is currently working to get all links back to normal.
Apologies for any problems this may cause.
Association Ringing Festival – Saturday 25th October 2025 – Northern District
From Association Ringing Master Niamh Hickey:
The Autumn Ringing Festival for the IACR will be in the Northern District this year. I’d like to encourage as many IACR ringers as can to attend. Details below:
- Saturday 11am – 1pm St Mark’s Dundela. Dove link: https://dove.cccbr.org.uk/tower/16753
- Saturday 3 – 5pm Ballylesson/Drumbo. Dove link: https://dove.cccbr.org.uk/tower/11938
- Saturday 5:30 – 6:30pm St Malachi Hillsborough. Dove link: https://dove.cccbr.org.uk/tower/16595
- Dinner on Saturday will be at The Hillside in Hillsborough (https://www.hillsidehillsborough.co.uk/, google maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6Yzv8a68tuHnAhAC8),
Sunday Service ringing at Hillsborough is from 11:30 to 12:00
I will need numbers, especially for dinner (menu can be viewed here) on Saturday so would ask that people send on confirmations as soon as they can – everyone can contact Niamh: iacrringingmaster@bellringingireland.org directly or through their district/tower.
Quarter Peal updates
The Limerick bell ringers have been on a short tour of Warwickshire towers – Ian & Louise are showing us around their old stamping ground! For the month that’s in it, on Tuesday 23rd September 2025, they rung a QP for the IACR Quarter Peal month.Band left to right: Ian Wilson, Jane Rogers, Sue McCouaig, Kieron Brislane, Alan Hegarty. Christy Pratt.
A Quarter Peal of 1260 Plain Bob Doubles was rung at St Donard’s Parish Church Belfast in 43 minutes, on Sunday 21st September 2025 to welcome the Rev’d Dave Thomas as Curate, Ruth Rodgers as Families Worker, and their families to St Donard’s Parish Church.
Details of quarter can be found here: https://bellboard.uk/view.php?id=1885554
Band from left to right: Stephanie Whittaker-Axon, Denise McLean, Robyn Morrison, Robert Foulis, Rev’d Dave Thomas and wife Rachel, Andrew White and Colin Jeffery
Congratulations to Thomas McDowell of Carrickfergus ringing his first quarter peal of 1260 Plain Bob Doubles at the first attempt, in St Nicholas, Carrickfergus on Sunday 14th September 2025 in 43 minutes. Details of quarter can be found here: https://bellboard.uk/view.php?id=1884205
Left to right Robert Foulis (conductor) Leeona Aspinwall, Thomas Mc Dowell, Rebekah Aspinwall, Alex Nelson, Alan King
Association and District Events – Late September – December
Northern District Practices
- Saturday 4th October 2025 – St Comgall – Bangor – 14.00 -17.00
- Satursday 1st November 2025 – St Donard’s, Belfast – 14.00 – 17.00
- Saturday 6th December 2025 – St Malachy, Hillsborough – 14.00 – 17.00
Northern District Young Persons’ Practice and Iveagh Cup Competition
- Saturday 27th September 2025 – St Mary Kilmood – 14.00 – 17.00
Eastern District Practices
- Saturday 11th October 2025 – Church Church, Bray – 14.00 – 16.00 – please note change of venue
- Saturday 8th November 2025 – Christ Church, Taney, Dundrum – 14.00 – 16.00
- Saturday 13th December 2025 – Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin – 14.00 – 16.00
Southern District Practices
- Saturday 11th October 2025 – St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork, Fred Bogan Trophy – 13.30 – 16.00
- Saturday 18th October 2025 – Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford- 14.00-16.00
Association Events
- Association Ringing Festival – Saturday 25th October 2025 – Northern District
- St Mark’s, Dundela 11am – 1pm
- Holy Trinity, Drumbo 3 – 5pm
- Hillsborough 5.30 – 6.30pm
- Dinner- Hillside 7pm menu can be viewed here
Website (video) of the month – watch a bell being cast at Taylor’s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI4o95_A8Eo