360 Miscellany

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Unearth hidden gems this summer with Armagh guided walking tours

Guided walking tours which follow strict social distancing measures – will operate Thursday to Sunday at 2pm until September 13

The Ancient Cathedral City of Armagh is undoubtedly one of the most visually stunning and historically intriguing locations on the island of Ireland.

From pre-historic landscapes to an unmatched Georgian architecture, modern day Armagh is built against a rich backdrop of antiquity, clearly visible through its iconic buildings and beautiful open spaces.

One of the best ways to discover the delights of the city, and become immersed in its culture, past and present, is through an official guided walking tour.

Under the guidance of an experienced tour guide, you can walk through Armagh’s vibrant and varied history as you hear stories and anecdotes about the area, learn about the city’s renowned Georgian architecture and take a leisurely stroll along the distinct cobbled streets as you uncover some of the city’s hidden gems along the way.

Guided walking tours operate Thursday to Sunday at 2pm until September 13.

The meeting point is the Celtic Cross on Market Street adjacent to the Market Place Theatre. Each tour will last approximately 75 minutes, with the tour all outdoors.

All tours will follow strict social distancing measures.

Sensible footwear and clothing is recommended and please note some uneven or narrow streets will be part of the tour.

Armagh Guided Walking Tours cost £5 per person, with under 10s free.

Tickets must be booked online at [ https://visitarmagh.com/reopening-summer-20/

100 Go Hydro! in Down and Dromore

Over the last week, Tim Burns and the team brought together more than 100 young people from across the diocese of D & D for three separate days of fun at Let’s Go Hydro!

Tim writes: Usually at the end of July and beginning of August we’re running the Kilbroney Adventure Camps but the pandemic ruled that out this year. However, we got our three different age groups together in Belfast and had a great time reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting some new ones.

Our days at Let’s Go Hydro involved an hour(ish) of bouncing around the inflatable water park, jumping off heights and going down big slides. This was followed by pizza (each person got their own), chat and then our Bible Blast.

Jack Wilson (Ballylesson parish) hosted, and Rosy Woods (Moira) and Mark Wells (Bangor Parish) led our worship.

On Sunday our speaker was Ava Jordan-Curasi (Seapatrick Parish) and on Monday and Tuesday we heard Andrew Watson from Ballyholme.

It was so good to get together again, to spend time with leaders and young people, have fun and to chat and encourage each other.

Hopefully next year in Kilbroney!

Funeral of the Late Venerable Wayne Carney

The funeral will take place today Saturday (15th August) at 11.a.m. in St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick. This will enable the live-streaming of the service which will allow Wayne’s wider family and friends to participate.

The link is [ www.churchservices.tv/limerickstmarys ]. (The link is always live, so you can test it at any time).

The Dean of Killaloe, Very Revd. Rod Smyth will conduct the service. The preacher will be the Revd. Janet White Spunner. The Bishop will preside and participate in the service.

Cremation will take place at Shannon crematorium and a Memorial Service in Canada is being planned at a later date.

Pointers to prayer

Today we pray for BAME workers. Racial inequalities within the labour market mean they’re overrepresented in sectors hit worst by the economic crisis. God we pray for your provision, compassionate policymaking to support these workers and an end to structural racism.

God in creation

The Strangford Arms hotel in Newtownards, was theformer home of George Dickson the pioneer rose hybridist.

Dickson’s Rose company was founded in 1836 by Alexander I who came across from Perth, Scotland and set up business in Newtownards, Co. Down. His son, George I, with the assistance of his two eldest sons, Alexander II and George II, (there were eight sons and four daughters in the family) became fascinated with roses and started breeding around 1879. This makes them the world’s oldest rose breeding family, with Colin being the sixth generation to carry on the tradition.

In 1886 George sent his son Alexander to London to exhibit three varieties of their raising at the National Rose Society Show. They were a red Hybrid Perpetual, “Earl of Dufferin”, named for the Viceroy of India, a second red Hybrid Perpetual, “Lady Helen Stewart” and a pink Tea rose, “Ethel Brownlow”. In 1885 Queen Victoria granted the company its first Royal Warrant, a distinction that continued unbroken until the end of the reign of King George VI.

Dickson’s continued to breed roses until 2019. They continue today to grow roses and still win many awards for their beautiful roses.

[ https://www.dickson-roses.co.uk/ ]