Belfast Cathedral
Belfast Cathedral: The Cathedral Church of Saint Anne
Belfast Cathedral, known locally as St Anne’s, is unusual in serving two separate dioceses, Down and Dromore and Connor, and has not one, but two, Bishop’s Seats.
The cathedral was built on the site of St Anne’s Church, which was Belfast’s first Church of Ireland Parish. Building began in 1899 when the foundation stone of the Nave was laid. The west front was not finished until 1927 and the rest of the building has been completed in stages with the final section comprising the North Transept consecrated in 1981. The striking ‘Spire of Hope’ was added to Belfast Cathedral in 2007 and is a unique addition to the city skyline.
Whilst being a Cathedral of the Church of Ireland, whose daily worship is Anglican, it has sought to be a place where Christians of all traditions may worship together. A living partnership is maintained with St Peter’s Roman Catholic Cathedral in the city and ecumenical canons occupy stalls representing the Methodist, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic Churches.
Opening hours
The Cathedral is open from Monday to Friday from 10.30 – 4.00pm with last admission at 3.30pm. The Saturday before St Patrick’s day, the Cathedral operates summer hours and with be open on Saturday.
Sunday opening hours are 12.45 – 3.00pm.
Admission to the Cathedral is £5 p/p for a self-guided tour which includes a guide booklet. Audio and steward guided tours are £8 including admission.
Parties over 10 should email admin@belfastcathedral.org
The Cathedral Gift Shop has a wide range of gifts for visitors from home and abroad. Please note that it is closed during services.
Free parking is available in the cathedral precincts for those attending Sunday worship. On weekdays, public parking is available close by.
At the heart of the life of St Anne’s Cathedral is the daily pattern of prayer and worship. Visit the Cathedral website for further details: www.belfastcathedral.org.
Dean and Chapter
Dean: The Very Revd Stephen Forde
Dean's Curate: The Revd Cameron Mack
Chancellor: The Ven Jim Cheshire (Archdeacon of Down)
Precentor: The Ven Barry Forde (Archdeacon of Belfast)
Treasurer & Chapter Clerk: Vacant
Canons of Down and Dromore
The Revd Canon Ronnie Nesbitt
The Revd Canon Joanne Megarrell
The Revd Canon Gareth Harron
The Revd Canon Gill Withers
Canons of Connor
The Revd Canon Nigel Baylor
The Revd Canon Mark Taylor
The Revd Canon Tracey McRoberts
The Revd Canon Stephen Fielding
Chapter Canons
The Revd Canon Michael Parker
The Revd Canon Kevin Graham
Minor Canons
The Revd Nigel Kirkpatrick
The Revd Julie Bell
The Revd Mark Reid
Ecumenical Canons
The Revd Canon Dr Ruth Unsworth (Methodist)
The Revd Canon Colin McClure (Presbyterian)
The Very Revd Edward O’Donnell (Roman Catholic)
Lay Canons
Mr Robert Kay MBE
Mrs Myrtle Kerr
Master of the Choristers: Mr David Stevens
Organist Emeritus: Mr Ian Barber
Head of Vocal Tuition: Catherine Harper
Acting Assistant Organist: Jack Wilson
National Cathedral: The Cathedral Church of Saint Patrick, Dublin
Canon Representing the United Dioceses of Down in Dromore in the National Cathedral
The Revd Canon Simon Doogan