Anna in Cork – Shandon Bells & Tower St. Anne’s Church

Last month I got the opportunity to go down to Cork for the day for a bit of a ‘date’ with the city. I spent some time going to visit some of the major attractions with the aim of really getting to know them and revamp my history for our trip down at the end of March.

My first stop was to visit Shandon Bells & Tower at St. Anne’s Church and boy did I have a ball!

I started off by exploring the church itself! St. Anne’s Church is one of the oldest churches still in regular use in Cork City and it is beautiful. With gorgeous stained glass windows and a stunning organ at the back! Which I was told is still played every Sunday in service! I signed the church’s visitor’s book which goes back over the last 100 years!

I then began my journey up, up and up some more! 

The very first thing I got to do was ring the bells! Now on my walk to the church I had heard the bells ringing so the excitement had really started to build because I knew that I would soon get my turn!

They had instructions on how to play a couple different popular songs. But I went for the old classic – Amazing Grace!

I was really nervous about it but the bells rang out beautifully, not resembling Amazing Grace in the least, but I was still chuffed! Empathising with the poor people living in the area that probably have to hear the same tune played badly multiple times a day, I ventured on upwards.

 And bonus perk! I was there at noon for the angelus and I got to hear it from the inside of the tower! That really made my day! (I’m easily excited).