CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL DUBLIN
"16 Men in a Boat" or The visit
of the Birmingham band to Dublin
In
the 18th and 19th Centuries it was commonplace for established bands to
be invited to ring the inaugural peals at new towers. It is a statement
of the general proficiency of local bands that this rarely happens now.
However some circumstances are special, and the Birmingham band was honored
to accept the invitation to ring the first peal on the Millennium ring
of Sixteen at Christ Church Cathedral Dublin.
Peals at Christ Church are rung for special events, and the marriage of the Dean provided a suitable occasion. Thus on the morning of Saturday September 1st the band assembled at Holyhead as foot-passengers on the Irish Ferries Dublin sailing. A blustery crossing, during which the conductor avidly watched "The Naked Gun", landed the travelers at Dublin Port, from where a short bus ride brought them to the noble Christ Church. Ascending the tower, Dean John Paterson, and ringing master Leslie Taylor formally welcomed the band.
Christ
Church bells are an historic instrument. Originally a six by Purdue of
Bristol in 1670, these were recast into 8 by Abel Rudhall in 1738, with
a tenor of 26cwt in D. Augmentation to ten came in 1877 with the addition
of a treble and tenor, and two extra "natural" bells (leaving
the original 8 intact) by Murphy of Dublin, who also rehung the twelve
bells in a new frame. A major restoration by Taylors in 1979 saw the bells
tuned down to B, and a fine 45cwt tenor cast replacing the porous 36cwt
Murphy bell. The bells were increased to sixteen to mark the millennium,
and hang on one level; the Murphy frame being retained for the largest
six bells, and a new steel frame accommodating the remaining thirteen.
Consequently the rope circle is unorthodox: the front twelve ropes fall
along the East and South walls in an "L" shape, with the back
four spread along the other two walls. Internally, some acoustic adjustment
is still required for the sixteen, but outside the bells are a very fine
and balanced ring.
Following some adjustment of ropes the peal commenced at 1pm, and after 4 hours and 10 minutes of well-earned Bristol Surprise Sixteen, the bells ran back into rounds. Immediately, the tower door opened and Leslie Taylor entered bearing a celebration cake and wine; Leslie listened to much of the peal outside, and had made a recording, which the band looks forward to hearing. Following this, all retired to Dublin's famous "Porterhouse", where Oyster Stout was quaffed while England beat Germany 5-1. All round a very successful day!
With the completion of the peal at Christ Church, not only had the first peal on Sixteen been rung in Ireland, but some unique personal statistics emerged: Jeff Brannan, Tony Daw, Jennie Paul, John & Stephanie Warboys and Michael Wilby had thus rung 16-bell peals at all three sixteens, and two of this number had been privileged to be in the first peals on all three rings, which the Conductor had also composed.
All too soon the band was on the return ferry, weary but cheerful, and thoroughly enjoying the Guinness on the Irish Sea. The visit was certainly memorable for all who took part, and the Birmingham band would like to express their gratitude for the invitation and great hospitality.
Submitted to the Ringing World magazine by Michael Wilby
