Bells ring out for new members

A BELL-ringing course for beginners is starting in Taney in Dundrum.

The course, which will run on Wednesday evenings through July and August, is intended to let people learn the skills involved in ringing bells as part of religious services. 

Michael Ryan, one of the bell ringers in Taney, said that all are welcome to the classes and anyone who thinks they might be interested in taking it up as a hobby should get in contact  with them.

“People can be any age, there are ringers as young as 12 and 13,” he revealed.

And there is no gender barrier either, as it is all about momentum so it doesn’t matter about strength.

“It’s a great hobby, a great workout and good fun,” he added.

 He also said that people don’t have to be  musical to be able to do it.

“There are no notes, it is all numbers and the bells are just pulled in sequence,” he explained.

“We usually don’t get loads of people in through the door, but if anyone does come along they will be ringing from the first evening,” he said.

“There might also be an opportunity to progress to ringing on a Sunday.”

When asked how he got involved in it himself, Michael said he and a friend climbed up one day while the bells were ringing to see how they worked.

“We went just to see what was up there. The bellringer offered us a go and I was hooked from then. That was 35 years ago.” 

 Taney is one of five towers in Dublin that have ropes and bells. 

Michael said that the bells used in Taney were originally located in St George’s Church in Dublin, which closed in 1990.

The bells were then offered to Taney and the bells rung for the first time from their new location on December 31, 1999 to ring in the new millennium.  

 Michael said that when he tells people about bellringing they are interested and curious because they don’t know much about it. “Most people think that all bells are automated these days, either that or they think we are flying up and down like the advert on TV,” he laughed.  

“But when people see inside the towers they are amazed about how it all works.” 

For those interested in taking a class, you can contact Michael on 0863570842.

If Taney is too far away, Michael  said that he would be able to put anyone who is interested in contact with one of the other towers in Dublin, as they all would welcome new members.

REPORT: Aaron McElroy