Dr Rita Kelly, Development Officer with Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise reports from Christ Church Cathedral:-
Canon Gary Hastings has just retired from his parish duties in Killiney, Co. Dublin. He is a member of Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise (Irish Guild of the Church of Ireland) and on 28th January, he took Holy Communion Service, in Irish, at Christchurch Cathedral, Dublin, to celebrate the feast of St Brigid (1st February). The day became a celebration of Gary’s life in ministry, music and the Irish language. Revd Canon Professor Ann Lodge, DCU, preached the Sermon in lovely Irish.
The famous Cór Chúil Aodha, under the directorship of Peadar Ó Riada, sang throughout the Service. Many of the hymns were taken from the well-known Mass of Seán Ó Riada, who founded An Cór.
Dr Rita Kelly, Development Officer with An Cumann Gaelach, spoke to RTE and TG4 Nuacht, saying that Gary and his late wife, Caitríona, had translated the Book of Common Prayer into Irish while he was Rector at Westport, Co. Mayo. It was an amazing undertaking with an incredible amount of work involved. Gary is viewed as an exceptional motivator.
D’éirigh an tOirmh. Canónach Gary Hastings as a dhualgaisí paróiste i gCill Iníon Léinn, Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath, le déanaí. Is ball den gCumann Gaelach na hEaglaise é agus inné 28ú d’Eanáir, bhí sé i mbun na Seirbhíse Comaoinigh, i nGaeilge, san ArdTeampeall Chríost, Baile Átha Cliath, chun Lá Fhéile Bríde a cheiliúradh (1ú Feabhra). Ceiliúradh shaol Gary a bhí ann fosta ó thaobh a mhinistéireachta, a chuid cheoil is ó thaobh na teanga dhe.
Bhí Cór Chúil Aodha i láthair, faoi stiúradh Pheadar Uí Riada féin. Chan siad Iomain ó Aifreann Uí Riada le linn na Seirbhíse.
Labhair An Dr Rita Kelly, An tOifigeach Forbartha leis an gCumann, le Nuacht RTÉ is TG4 ag cur in iúl gur aistrigh Gary, maraon lena bhean chéile, Caitríona (nach maireann), The Book of Common Prayer go Gaeilge: Leabhar na hUrnaí Coitinne. Rinne sé é sin agus é ina Reachtaire I gCathair na Mart, Co Mhuigh Eo. Tionscadal ollmhór a bhí ann agus is spreagthóir den scoth é.
Featured on TG4 on Sunday evening, you can view the clip here:-
