At a service of Choral Evensong The Rev’d Canon Máirt Hanley was installed as Prebendary of Aghour.
The Bishop, the Rt Rev’d Adrian Wilkinson, welcomed the congregation to the service and congratuled Máirt on his appointment. The bishop noted that Aghour is the ancient prebendal stall associated with the village of Freshford and joked that Máirt is now responsible for washing the windows of the church there.
The Registrar, Sean Rafter BL read the bishop’s licence appointing the canon, following which Máirt subscribed to the Declarations and signed the Diocesan Roll and the Chapter Book. The Registrar read the Bishop’s mandate to the Dean to install the new canon. Canon Hanley was then taken by the arm and lead into the quire and placed in his stall by the Dean, the Very Rev’d Stephen Farrell.
Evensong followed, with music by Radcliffe, Sunsion and Tavener sung by St Canice’s Cathedral Choir under the Director of Music, Dr Harry Meehan FRCO. Lessons were read by the Canon Chancellor, Patrick Harvey and the Canon Precentor, Dr Paul Mooney.
In his sermon Canon Hanley said his installation transported him back to his youth, going to sung vespers in Worth Abbey. Canon Hanley said his hopes as priest and as a canon were to have his feet firmly on the earth and his head firmly held in the air – being aware of the realities of life, but helping others to lift up their heads and see hope.
The Bishop drew the service to a close with his blessing and all retired to the west end of the cathedral for tea.
Máirt, who is the Rector of Baltinglass was accompanied by his wife Una and their sons, members of their family and parishioners and well wishers from Baltinglass.