instrument

The four octave Carillon of St Colman’s Cathedral was origionally installed in 1916. The idea for a carillon is said to have come from a much-travelled nephew of the then Bishop Dr Robert Browne. This man had heard the great singing towers of Belgium and the Netherlands and was thus inspired to suggest that Cobh’s new Pugin cathedral should be similarly endowed. The bells were cast by the renowned English firm of John Taylor of Loughborough. They were transported from Liverpool to Cobh courtesy of the British Navy, no civilian vessels being available for such a purpose during war time. The first person to play the carillon was Anton Nauwelaerts of Bruges, followed by Anton Brees of Antwerp, while the first permanent carillonneur was Stef Gebruers, also from Antwerp.

St Colman’s Cathedral stands on an elevated platform overlooking the magnificent Cork Harbour. Behind, the land rises in a semi-circle, thus creating a natural amphitheatre. The setting for the Cathedral is an acoustical wonder.

Cobh, possessing one of the world’s finest natural harbours, has long been a major international port. And so, since its inception, the town’s carillon has been a voice of welcome to ships from all over the world as they make their progress upriver past the Cathedral. In less happy times, these bells also bade a last farewell to the many thousands of Irish emigrants leaving their native shores in search of a better life across the seas.

Cobh Carillon is the only such instrument in this country and, since its restoration and modernisation was completed in May 1998, is now one of the finest in the world. The 49 cast bronze bells have a total weight of over 25 tons and cover a range of four chromatic octaves. The bourdon (heaviest bell) weighs 3.6 tons. This unique musical instrument is played by the carillonneur from a console located in the belfry and consisting of a keyboard and a pedal board not unlike that of an organ. The mechanism is entirely mechanical there being no electrical or other assist. The bells are stationary, so that when a key or pedal is depressed at the console it brings the clapper to strike the inner lip of the corresponding bell. There is also a computer-operated automatic system using fourteen of the heaviest bells which plays the chimes every quarter of an hour, the Angelus at noon and 6 p.m., a tune after the Angelus and also after the striking of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and the Mass bell and funeral bell when required.
The great carillon tradition of the European mainland has transplanted well in Irish soil. The regular recitals by the resident and guest carillonneurs are much appreciated, especially in the summer months. However, it is during the great community celebrations that this carillon really comes into its own as the voice of the people. Such an occasion occurred in 1991 when the Tall Ships Race visited Cork Harbour. For three hours, the great sailing ships glided past the gothic splendour of St Colman’s Cathedral while thousands of spectators lined the shores and the booming bronze voices of Cobh’s Carillon rang out the music of many lands.