Cork mayors ring Shandon bells to mark completion of major restoration project

'Bells of Shandon' and 'Ode to Joy' ring out over Cork after renovation work on the iconic tower under the 'Goldie Fish'

Reverend Meghan Farr, priest in charge at Saint Anne's Shandon, and Bishop of Cork, Cloyne, and Ross, Most Reverend Paul Colton celebrating the renovation work, including the newly-restored 300-year-old front doors. Picture: Clare Keogh 

There could be few things more Cork than the Lord Mayor ringing the bells of Shandon in the restored clock tower of St Anne’s, but the big question was what he would play.

“Why, The Bells of Shandon, of course,” said Lord Mayor Fergal Dennehy, before challenging his counterpart from the Straight Road, Mayor of the County of Cork Mary Linehan Foley, to a bell-ringing duel.