Quakers to hold assembly in Cork for first time

The Quakers will hold their annual assembly in Cork for the first time in 360 years this week.

The Religious Society of Friends, more commonly known as Quakers, has had a continuous presence in Ireland, and in Cork, for over three centuries.

In the early part of the 19th century, over 8,000 people were employed in Quaker industries in the town of Mountmellick, Co Laois, alone — working in brewing, milling, textiles, tanning and engineering.

Many Quaker names, such as Jacob, Odlum, Pim, Goodbody, and Bewley, are still prominent in business.

But in all that time, the annual gathering of Quakers, known as the Yearly Meeting, has never been held in Cork City.

An estimated 150 Quakers from all over the country will gather in Cork for the 2013 Yearly Meeting from tomorrow until Sunday.

It will include a free public talk — open to all — which will be delivered this year by Julia Ryberg.

She was born and raised in an American family with Quaker roots in 18th century Ireland, and has lived in Sweden since 1975.

Her talk will be a narrative of her own faith journey, and will include themes of liberation, openness, truth, tradition and community.

The Quaker movement arose out of the religious turmoil of 17th century England as a reaction to the idea that churches had become bogged down with traditions, rituals and power politics.

Early Quakers sought a renewal of Christianity and ways to live out the Christian message more simply, without the burden and constraint of church hierarchy.

A central idea of Quakerism is that all people are equal, and all have the ability to make direct contact with God without the need for priests or ministers.

Meanwhile, Mountmellick will host part of the internationally renowned Quaker Tapestry from next Saturday until Aug 10 as part of its Gathering celebrations.

Completed in 1996, it features 77 panels of narrative embroidery on specially woven wool cloth worked on by over 4,000 men, women and children from 15 different countries.

It depicts the history and achievements of the Quakers, with two panels referring specifically to the humanitarian work of the Quakers in Ireland — including relief work during the Famine, and cross community work in the North during the Troubles.

The Mountmellick exhibition will feature 20 travelling panels.

The Quakers also founded Cork Penny Dinners soup kitchen, which is still in operation today, serving almost 900 dinners a week to the needy.

There are currently about 1,600 members of the Religious Society of Friends in Ireland, with about 130 members and attenders of the Cork Quaker Meeting.

Ms Ryberg’s talk will take place in the Boole 3 lecture theatre at UCC on Friday.

People attending the yearly meeting will enjoy trips to Ballymaloe, Blarney Castle, Cobh, Kinsale, Fota and Camden Fort, Crosshaven.