Down Cathedral Report 2023 

Having emerged in 2022 from the restrictions of COVID, the Cathedral community continues to build on a strong base during 2023. 

We continue to offer regular Sunday and midweek worship, including a weekly Thursday Communion and Daily Evening Prayer.  Our services are streamed online and we are joined by ‘regular’ watchers and by visitors from around the world.  We regularly welcome visitors alongside our regular in-person congregation, especially in the Summer Season. 

The Cathedral is a focal point for the Annual St Patrick’s Day Celebrations in the town, over which weekend we welcome thousands of people to worship with us and visit the Cathedral and St Patrick’s Grave. Revenue from these visitors maintain our welcome ministry. We are thankful for a dedicated staff team and the faithfulness of our volunteers. 

As well as our regular worship and St Patrick’s Day, the Cathedral hosted a Diocesan Ordination Service, recorded a Broadcast for BBC Radio 4, hosted a service for the Lecale Deanery featuring international singer/songwriter Dana, presented a performance of the John Rutter Requiem in Holy Week and welcomed well over 1000 people to our various carol services. 

We continue to be grateful for the prayerful and financial support of our Cathedral Congregation, and from the Diocese of Down and Dromore. 

We bade farewell to The Very Revd Henry Hull, Rector and Dean, as he retired in December 2023. As per the Cathedral’s governing documents, the senior Canon (Revd John Auchmuty) will chair the Cathedral Board until a new Dean is appointed.  At the end of 2023, the board was preparing to upgrade internet service and the heating system in the Cathedral and review contracts and job descriptions for the staff team.