Bicentenary of St Patrick’s Cathedral Celebrated in Skibbereen

The people of Skibbereen and the wider West Cork community gathered this past weekend to celebrate the 200th anniversary of St Patrick’s Cathedral

The Mass to mark the bicentenary was celebrated by Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross, together with Fr Kevin O’Regan, Co-Parish Priest and Moderator and Fr Evin O’Brien, CC.

Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, Bishop Gavin said the anniversary was not simply about remembering the past, but also about renewing faith for the future.

“Two hundred years ago, the people of this place chose to build this beautiful church,” Bishop Gavin said. “They lived in difficult and uncertain times, and yet they built because they believed that God had a place at the heart of their lives and that faith was worth handing on to future generations.”

The cathedral has stood through times of joy and sorrow, prosperity and hardship, becoming a place deeply woven into the life of the community. Generations have gathered there for baptisms, weddings, funerals, confirmations and moments of prayer during some of the most important moments in people’s lives.

Bishop Fintan Gavin with Fr. Kevin O'Regan, Fr. Evin O'Brien, Bernie Kelly and the altar servers before the special Mass to celebrate the Bicentenary of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Skibbereen. Photo; Anne Minihane.

The Diocese of Cork and Ross has published a Prayer to St. Carlo Acutis

The prayer will be used across the diocese and beyond as the diocese prepares to host a visit of the young saint's relics as part of its preparation to mark the 100th year of Cork's Eucharistic Procession. 

Copies of the printed prayer card are being sent to all churches in the diocese and it can also be downloaded using the button below.  You can pray it on your device or print a copy and keep it with you.

Download the Prayer Card

St Carlo Acutis Prayer Card (select image to download)

A briefing was held in Skibbereen last night for parishes across West Cork and the surrounding areas in preparation for the upcoming Eucharistic Procession and its associated events.

Priests and representatives from Parish Pastoral Councils gathered to hear detailed plans for this significant milestone in our Diocese.

Bishop Fintan outlined the overall vision, highlighting how the various preparatory events will help us prepare in the lead up to the Eucharistic Procession. Attendees were informed of plans to bring the relics of St Carlo Acutis to St Patrick’s Cathedral, Skibbereen, as part of its bicentenary celebrations this year.

Priests and representatives from Parish Pastoral Councils gathered to hear detailed plans in the lead up to the Eucharistic Procession

Cork’s Eucharistic Procession was launched at St. Mary and St. Anne's Cathedral last night

This year marks the 100th year since the first Eucharistic Procession took place through the streets of Cork City - one of the longest-running traditions in the city.

The Diocese of Cork and Ross officially launched the centenary celebrations last night at the Visitors Centre in the Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Anne, where Cllr John Sheehan, Deputising for the Lord Mayor of Cork City; Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross; Sheila Kelleher, Coordinator for Youth Ministry and Jonathan Healy, MC for the launch, addressed over 120 attendees.

In preparation for this milestone, a two-week diocesan mission will take place, accompanied by the visit of the relics of St Carlo Acutis, and 100 hours (for 100 years) of Eucharistic Adoration - marking a century of walking with the Lord in our city and renewing our faith for the future.

Watch the Launch Livestream