Irish Activities & Events |
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Constantinian Dame, President Mary McAleese of Ireland is re-elected as Irish Head of State for a further seven years. Dublin - October 2004.
The chancery extends its congratulations to President Mary McAleese of Ireland, on her re-election as Irish Head of State. President McAleese is a Dame Grand Cross with Gold Star within the Special Category with the collar decoration.
De Paul Trust of Ireland adopted by Delegation for fundraising purposes. Dublin - June 2004.
Following the May 2004 visit to Dublin of His Eminence Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda, the Order's Grand Prior and the Ecclesiastical Counsellor to the Constantinian Order by appointment of Pope John Paul II, the British and Irish delegation has announced the formal adoption of the De Paul Trust of Ireland for fundraising purposes.
The De Paul Trust of Ireland in conjunction with the City of Dublin, run the first 'wet centre' for long term street drinkers and the homeless in Dublin's Aungier Street.
Constantinian Order delegate Anthony Bailey said " I am delighted that following the visit of Cardinal Pompedda to Dublin, during which His Eminence met with the Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Royston Brady, and with De Paul Trust of Ireland Director, Pat Doherty and others, that the charity has been formally adopted for fundraising purposes.
"Our Delegation's historic and on-going focus towards the care for the homeless through our spiritual, financial and moral assistance to The Passage Homeless Centre in London , and the St Thomas Fund in southern England is well known. Nevertheless I am delighted that such a worthy project in Dublin has been adopted and especially one with strong connections to our existing charities in Great Britain '.
Constantinian Order supports inter-religious Forthspring Inter Community Group. Belfast - June 2004.
Following the visit of the Order's Grand Prefect, His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria, in November 2002 to Belfast and the subsequent visit to Cardinal Pompedda of Dublin, the Constantinian Order during the early part of 2004 has donated over £10,000 (€15,000) to the work of the Forthspring Inter Community Group in Belfast. The Delegate for Great Britain & Ireland Anthony Bailey was 
appointed to the Board of Directors of Forthspring in 2004.
The Forthspring initiative undertakes much needed work on a local community level to foster relations between the divided communities in Northern Ireland. It is a multi-religious body incorporating Catholic, Protestant, Methodist and other communities and the Constantinian Order funds the salaries of a number of the community workers.
Forthspring Project Co-ordinator Mrs Bernie Laverty said " On behalf of the Rev David Campton and the Board of Directors of Forthspring, we are delighted to receive your substantial donation from the Constantinian Order and yourself. Such financial support means so much to use in our endeavours to create more positive relationships and understanding between the local Catholic and Protestant communities on the Springfield Road in Belfast".
President of Poland honours Constantinian Order Vice-Delegate Senator Donal Lydon. Dublin - June 2004.
In a ceremony at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Dublin, Senator Donal Lydon, Vice-Delegate and Chancellor of the Constantinian Order, received from the Polish Ambassador HE Witold Sobkow, the insignia of Knight Commander of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.
This high award from President Aleksander Kwasniewski of Poland, was made in recognition of Senator Lydon's contribution to European integration and his endeavours to make Central Europe part of the Western European world, marking the end of Yalta divisions across the continent. Poland succeeded to the European Union at a ceremony in Dublin on 1 May 2004.
President Mary McAleese of Ireland invested with the collar of the Constantinian Order by Grand Prior, Cardinal Pompedda. Dublin – May 2004.
In a ceremony at Aras an Uachtaráin (House of the President) in Dublin, President Mary McAleese received the insignia of Dame Grand Cross with Gold Star within the Special Category and the Collar of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George.
The ceremony was conducted by the Order's Grand Prior and Ecclesiastical Counsellor of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to the Order, His Eminence Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda. British and Irish Delegate Anthony Bailey, Delegation Chief Chaplain of Ireland , His Eminence Desmond, Cardinal Connell, Archbishop of Dublin Emeritus, 
and Vice-Delegate and Chancellor Senator Donal Lydon attended.
This is the highest award which can be given by the Constantinian Order and was bestowed on President McAleese in recognition of her major contribution to the peace process across the island of Ireland as well as her extensive commitment to inter-church and interfaith dialogue.
During the 40-minute meeting, which was also attended by Sister Ellen Flynn of The Passage Homeless Centre, and the Order's Vice Secretary-General of the Grand Magistry, Nicola Parascandolo, President McAleese expressed her delight at receiving the award and welcomed the Order's continued engagement in charitable, humanitarian, inter-church and inter-faith dialogue activities across the island of Ireland.
A congratulatory letter from the Order's Grand Prefect, His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria, was delivered personally to the President of Ireland in which he regretted being unable to attend the event due to his participation at the State Wedding of the HRH Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark which took place in Copenhagen the same day.
Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern, TD, invested into the Constantinian Order by Cardinal Grand Prior. Dublin - May 2004.
On the occasion of his visit to Ireland, the Order's Grand Prior, His Eminence Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda, invested the Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Mr Bertie Ahern, TD, with the insignia of Knight Grand Cross of Merit with Gold Star within the Special Category. Mr Ahern, who is currently President of the European Council, received the award for his significant contribution to the peace process in Ireland, as well as for his current efforts to ensure that the new European Constitution includes references to the continent's Christian foundation and heritage.
British and Irish Delegate Anthony Bailey, Delegation Chief Chaplain of Ireland, His Eminence Desmond, Cardinal Connell, Archbishop of Dublin Emeritus, and Vice-Delegate and Chancellor Senator Donal Lydon attended the one honour meeting at his Constituency office in Dublin. Constantinian Dame, Sister Ellen Flynn of delegation adopted charity The Passage Homeless Centre and the DePaul Trust of Ireland also attended.
The Taoiseach expressed his delight in receiving this high award and offered his full support to the Order's charitable and humanitarian endeavour in Ireland and to its inter-church and inter-faith dialogue initiatives.
Cardinal Pompedda also delivered a personal letter from the Order's Grand Prefect, His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria, who was unable to attend the ceremony due to his attendance at the State Wedding of HRH Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark, which took place on the same day.
To mark the occasion, Cardinal Pompedda also made the following awards: Mr David Feeney, Private Secretary to the Taoiseach, (Silver Benemerenti Medal) and Mrs Fidelma Rogers, Assistant Private Secretary to the Taoiseach, (Bronze Benemerenti Medal).
British and Irish Delegate Anthony Bailey hosts Gala Dinner in honour of Cardinal Pompedda. Dublin - May 2004.
Anthony Bailey, Delegate for Great Britain and Ireland hosted a Gala Dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel in Dublin in honour of Grand Prior, Cardinal Mario Francesco Pompedda on the occasion of the 200 th anniversary of the British & Irish Delegation.
Among those attending were the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, HE Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, the Ambassador of the Italian Republic to Ireland, HE Signor Alberto Schepisi, the Australian Ambassador to Ireland and the Holy See, HE Dr John Herron and the Lieutenant of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre in Ireland, HE Mr M. Joseph McDonnell.
Many Irish knights and dames of both the Constantinian Order and the Royal Order of Francis I attended including: Mrs John Herron, Senator and Mrs Donal Lydon, the Rt Rev Raymond Field, Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin, Mr Patrick Clyne, Professor and Mrs Richard Conroy, Mr and Mrs Donal Downes, Mr Gerard M Lawler Scott and Katherine MacMillan of Rathdown, Mr Brian Melia, Mr John McGrath, Mr John Turley, Mr Joseph O'Connor, Mr Nicola Parascandolo, Mr Sean Kevin Cunnane, Mr Patrick Esmonde White, Cyril and Lorna Woods of 
Slane, Mr John Graeme Igoe, Sister Ellen Flynn, Mrs Eiblin Byrne, Mr Patrick Doherty, The Rev Father Eugene Curran, CM, Mrs Bernie Laverty and Mrs Bridie Cotter.
Cardinal Pompedda visits the City of Dublin Skin and Cancer Hospital. Dublin - May 2004.
Cardinal Pompedda, Grand Prior of the Constantinian Order, visited staff and patients at the City of Dublin Skin and Cancer Hospital in central Dublin. The hospital, which was founded by Royal Charter, was adopted by the British & Irish Delegation for fundraising purposes in November 2002 following the visit to the Hospital by the Order's Grand Prefect, His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria.
On arrival at the Hospital, the Chairman, Gerard Lawler, a knight of Constantinian Order, received Cardinal Pompedda. His Eminence visited the patients in the various wards and together with the doctors and nurses, held a prayer session together. Among others attending were British and Irish Delegate, Anthony Bailey, vice-Delegate and Chancellor, Senator Donal Lydon, Vice-Secretary General of the Grand Magistry Nicola Parascandolo and Constantinian Dame, Sister Ellen Flynn.
Lord Mayor of Dublin hosts official reception for Cardinal Pompedda and is invested into the Constantinian Order. Dublin - May 2004.
The Lord Mayor of the City of Dublin, Councillor Royston Brady, hosted an official reception in honour of the British and Irish Delegation of the Constantinian Order at the Mansion House in central Dublin on the occasion of the visit to Ireland of the Order's Grand Prior, His Eminence Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda.
Many knights and dames of the Constantinian Order and the Royal Order of Francis I and others attended including the Chief Chaplain of Ireland, His Eminence Desmond, Cardinal Connell, Archbishop of Dublin Emeritus, the Australian Ambassador to Ireland and the Holy See, HE Dr John Herron, Constantinian knight and Ambassador of Poland to Ireland, HE Mr Witold Sobkow and Sister Ellen Flynn of The Passage Homeless Centre. The Delegate for Great Britain and Ireland, HE Anthony Bailey and Vice-Delegate and Chancellor, Senator Donal Lydon, were also present.
During a speech, the Lord Mayor formally welcomed Cardinal Pompedda to Dublin and congratulated the Constantinian Order on its launch of valuable and much needed financial support to charitable bodies across the City of Dublin. The Lord Mayor also welcomed the announcement that the Constantinian Order has adopted for fundraising purposes, the De Paul Trust of Ireland homeless centre in Aungier Street, which operates in conjunction with the City of Dublin authorities.
The Lord Mayor, as first citizen of the city, was invested by Cardinal Pompedda as a Knight Commander of Merit with Star of the Constantinian Order in recongnition of the City of Dublin's efforts to support those less fortunate in society.
Cardinal Pompedda receives high representatives of delegation adopted charities. Dublin - May 2004.
On the occasion of his visit to Ireland, Cardinal Pompedda, Grand Prior of the Constantinian Order, together with British and Irish Delegate Anthony Bailey received at the Four Seasons Hotel in Dublin senior representatives of the charities supported by the British and Irish Delegation.
Among those attending were Sister Ellen Flynn, Director of The Passage Homeless Centre, Mr Patrick Doherty and Mrs Eibhlin Byrne directors of the DePaul Trust of Ireland, The Reverend David Campton, Sister Noreen Christian, Mrs Bernie Laverty and Mrs Bridie Cotter, directors of the Forthspring Community Centre in Belfast, Mr Mark Hamilton, director of Citywise, and Mr Gerard Lawler of the City of Dublin Skin and Cancer Hospital.
Cardinal Pompedda concelebrates mass at the Apostolic Nunciature. Dublin - May 2004.
Following the meeting with the President of Ireland, Cardinal Pompedda, paid a visit to the Apostolic Nunciature in Dublin and paid a courtesy call on the Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto.
Whilst at the Nunciature, Cardinal Pompedda, together with the Apostolic Nunciature con-celebrated Holy Mass which was attended by British and Irish Delegate Anthony Bailey, Vice-Delegate and Chancellor Senator Donal Lydon and Vice Secretary General of the Grand Magistry of the Constantinian Order, Nicola Parascandolo.
Cardinal Pompedda presides over 2004 Irish investiture of new knights and dames including from sister Order of Malta. Dublin – May 2004.
The Grand Prior and Ecclesiastical Counsellor to the Constantinian Order by appointment of Pope John Paul II, His Eminence Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda, presided over the annual investiture ceremony of new knights and dames into the Constantinian Order of Saint George and the dynastic Royal Order of Francis I. The ceremony took place in the chapel of All Hallow's College, in Dublin and was conducted by British & Irish Delegate Anthony Bailey and Vice-Delegate & Chancellor Senator Donal Lydon.
Among those decreed and invested into the Constantinian Order were key officers from our sister order, the Order of Malta: Mr Patrick Esmonde White, (Knight of Justice) Vice-President of the Irish Association of the Order of Malta, Mr Sean Kevin Cunnane (Knight Commander of Grace), Chancellor of the Irish Association of the Order of Malta, and Mr John Igoe (Knight of Merit) Treasurer of the Irish Association of the Order of Malta.
Other knights to be invested included Mr James McDonald, LVO, MBE, KCSG, KCHS, JP, DL, (Knight of Merit with Star With Star), Sister Noreen Christian from the Delegation's adopted charity, the Forthspring Community Centre in Belfast, (Bronze Benemerenti Medal) and The Reverend David Campton from the same charity, (Bronze Benemerenti Medal).
Cardinal Connell retires as Archbishop of Dublin. Dublin - April 2004.
The Order's Chief Chaplain of Ireland , Cardinal Desmond Connell, has retired as Archbishop of Dublin in accordance with canon law.
The Cardinal's successor, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, said: "It is a day for all of us to recognize the years of service of Cardinal Connell to the Church in Dublin and beyond. The priests and people of Dublin thank him and will accompany him in the coming years with their prayers and affection. I know also that I can count on the faith and support of the Catholic people of the diocese of Dublin ."
Archbishop Sean Brady of Armagh, the Catholic Primate of All Ireland, in a statement said: "I wish Cardinal Connell many years of happiness in retirement, after 16 strenuous but fruitful years as archbishop of Dublin . His clear vision, courageous honesty and outstanding integrity were of immense assistance to the Irish bishops' conference over these years and will be greatly missed."
The Chancery also wishes to extend to His Eminence every good wish in his much deserved retirement and looks forward to his continued support and involvement with the Order's Delegation in Ireland.
Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern, TD, sends congratulatory message to Order on the occasion of the Delegation's 200th anniversary. Dublin - April 2004.
In a message addressed to British and Irish Delegate, Anthony Bailey, Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern, TD, sent a congratulatory message to Constantinian Order on the occasion of the Delegation's 200th anniversary said "I wish to extend my very best wishes to the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George on reaching this milestone of the 200th anniversary year of the Delegation of Britain and Ireland.
"Your Order has dedicated itself throughout all of those years to supporting many humanitarian and charitable initiatives. In Ireland, the Delegation has also undertaken an important role in promoting closer co-operation across all faiths by committing itself to furthering inter-faith initiatives and dialogue. I particularly welcome this strong focus in your work on bridging divides and encouraging compassion and appreciation of diversity. The noble values that your Order promotes are ones that societies across the world can learn from.
"I thank you for your work and wish you every success in the future ." Taoiseach Bertie Ahern concluded.
To download the message click here.
Citywise charity adopted by the British & Irish Delegation. Dublin - February 2004.
Continuing the charitable and humanitarian initiatives of the British and Irish Delegation, the Chancery is pleased to announce that Citywise, an all Ireland charity has been adopted for fundraising purposes. During a visit to the Dublin base of the charity, British & Irish Delegate Anthony Bailey, presented an initial cheque for £5,000 (€7450) to Citywise executive director and founder, Mr Mark Hamilton.
Citywise, which operates in Dublin, Belfast, Limerick and Mullingar and Ballynacargy, seeks to educate children and teenagers who have in many cases become dropouts or addicts and who mainly come from broken homes.
For more information on Citywise, please visit their website at www.citywise.ie.
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