Service of music and thanksgiving for 2013

As the strength waned from the last sunlight and the beautiful stained glass window lights grew dull, the internal lights of the Cathedral were extinguished bit by bit until the only illumination came from the gentle light in the Christmas grotto and light from the Christmas tree at the altar. To mark the event Eugene O’Sullivan, the last lighthouse keeper, carried a lit candle, ‘the light of Bethlehem’ from the East window, and the remainder of the service was conducted in the dimly lit cathedral.

Clergy who took part were the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Ken Good, Fr Francis Bradley (St Eugene’s), Rev Peter Murray (Methodist) and Rev Robert Buick (Presbyterian community).

Guest artists included Fr Eugene and Fr Martin O’Hagan, of the Three Priests, and the soloist during ‘O Holy Night’ was Ruth Matthewson. Traditionalmusicians Robert Peoples (fiddle), Ramone Ferguson (guitar) and Ciaran Carlin (flute) played two tunes by Turlough O’Carolan, ‘Concerto’ and ‘Farewell’ while, accompanied on Uillean pipesplayed by Paul Cutliffe, broadcaster Marie Louise Muir read ‘In a Field’ Seamus Heaney’s final poem.

The MC for the occasion was Mary Murphy, who also read, and a duet, Laudamus Te (Vivaldi’s Gloria) was sung by Roisin Rice and AnneMarie Hickey. Hymns were ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’, ‘Abide with me’ and ‘Silent Night’, as well as the beautifully constructed ‘Christ be our Light’ sung by the joint choir.

Organist was Ian Mills, from St Columb’s Cathedral, and the choirmistress was St Perpetua.