Belfast Cathedral

03/06/2026

Last Friday was a day of great joy in the life of Belfast Cathedral, as we celebrated the marriage of our Organist and Master of Music, Mr Jack Wilson, to his bride, Miss Holly Aston. 💐

Surrounded by family and friends, we gathered for a beautiful Nuptial Mass filled with prayer, thanksgiving, and a feast of glorious music.

The Cathedral Choir was directed by the distinguished organist and choral conductor Mr Richard Hills, with our own Sub-Organist and Assistant Master of Music, Mr Jack McCabe, providing masterful accompaniment. 🎹

The service was led by the Dean of Belfast, the Very Rev’d Stephen Forde, assisted by the Rev’d Julie Bell, the Rev’d Janice Elsdon, and the Rev’d Dr Ros Lane.

Among the musical highlights was the world premiere of ‘These I Can Promise’, a newly commissioned work by Sir John Rutter, setting words by Mark Twain. Its first performance formed a particularly memorable part of a service marked by beauty, joy, and celebration.

Pictured here alongside members of the Cathedral Choir and clergy, Jack and Holly begin their married life together with our warmest congratulations, prayers, and every blessing for the years ahead! ❤️

01/06/2026

This year, our partnership Service of Reflection, on 21st June, the longest day of the year, is hosted by St Peter's Cathedral. This service, which has been held at St Anne's Cathedral in previous years, reflects on the cost to all of The Troubles in our land.

Every year on 21st June, we gather for the Day of Reflection.

The annual Day of Reflection is a moment for our whole society to remember those who suffered during the conflict, from every corner of our society.

This year’s Service for the Day of Reflection will be held in St Peter's Cathedral Belfast, where victims, survivors, church leaders and political representatives stand side by side to remember and to reflect.

Everyone is warmly invited to attend.

🕊️ 3pm, Sunday 21 June 2026
📍 St Peter's Cathedral, Belfast

30/05/2026

Please join us on at 11am on Sunday, 31st May for Sung Eucharist to celebrate Trinity Sunday.
Preacher: Revd Dr Bob Cotter. Celebrant: The Dean.
Featuring The Galloway setting by Sir James McMillan.

"Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty"

Also Sung Evening Prayer at 3.30pm.
All very welcome,

29/05/2026

Looking forward to welcoming members of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC-19) from around the world to Belfast Cathedral on 28 June and 4 July 2026.

This June, Anglicans from around the world will gather in Belfast for ACC-19.

ACC-19 is the 19th meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council, one of the Instruments of Communion of the Anglican Communion.

Hosted by the Church of Ireland and organised by the Anglican Communion Office, the gathering will bring together bishops, clergy and lay representatives for worship, prayer, Bible study, discussion and shared discernment.

The theme for ACC-19 is ‘Called to One Hope’, from Ephesians 4:4-6.

Read more about ACC-19: https://bit.ly/4l401kQ


Church of Ireland

25/05/2026

Congratulations to the Very Reverend Martin Magill, Parish Priest of St John's Parish, Falls Road, installed as an Ecumenical Canon of St Anne's Cathedral on Pentecost Sunday afternoon, 24th June.

Also pictured: Ecumenical Canons Dr Janet Unsworth and Dr Colin McClure with the preacher, the Reverend Steve Stockman, Minister of Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, University Street.

Martin Magill is also pictured with his wider family, and with colleagues and friends who shared in the celebrations of the day.

24/05/2026

📯 Summer Organ Festival 📯

We are delighted to host several organists from across the province, alongside our own staff organists, for our inaugural 2026 Summer Organ Festival, held each Saturday beginning at 1.10pm!

Come and experience the thrilling sound of our Harrison & Harrison organ, currently undergoing exciting tonal changes with joint efforts by Nicholson & Co, and the Pipe Organ Preservation Company. Our newly installed camera display system will allow you to view, as well as listen to, each recitalist. 🎥

Recitals are 50 minutes each, with light refreshments provided. A retiring collection will be held in aid of the Cathedral Organ Fund.

Full details can be found below. All are most welcome, and we hope that you can join us! 🎹

23/05/2026

With a special Choral Eucharist, all are welcome to join us for a celebration of Pentecost Sunday, 11am on 24th May.

Preacher: The Dean. Celebrant: Rev Dr Bob Cotter
Setting: Communion Service in F by Harold Darke
Motet: "Sweet Spirit comfort me" Words by Robert Herrick, Music Peter Hurford.

"As we wait in silence, fill us with your Spirit.
As we listen to your word, fill us with your Spirit.
As we worship you in majesty, fill us with your Spirit."

23/05/2026

Please join us at 3.30pm on Pentecost Sunday, 24th May, for the Service of Installation of Fr Martin Magill, Parish Priest of St John's Parish, Falls Road, as an Ecumenical Canon of St Anne's Cathedral.

Preacher, Rev Steve Stockman, Minister of Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, University Street, Belfast.

Musical Setting: Evening Service in B flat, CV Stanford
Anthem: "Listen sweet dove", words for Whitsun, by George Herbert, music by Grayston Ives.

All most welcome.

17/05/2026

Congratulations to Canon Michael, member of our Chapter, on his new appointment!

The Archbishop of Armagh has appointed the Revd Canon Michael Parker, presently rector of Carnalea Parish, Diocese of Down to be the Incumbent of the parish of Woodschapel and Gracefield.

The date of the Service of Institution is to be confirmed. In the meantime we hold Michael and his family in our prayers.

15/05/2026

☀ Join us for worship this Ascension weekend, as we prepare ourselves to receive anew the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost ☀

Our worship this weekend includes:
Friday, 5:30pm: Choral Evensong for St Matthias' Day
Sunday, 11am: Choral Eucharist, with guest preacher Rev'd Canon Gill Withers.
Sunday 3:30pm: Choral Evensong.

You can find all the information on the music our choir are preparing on our website at https://www.belfastcathedral.org/music/music-list