Down Cathedral Organ Restoration
This magnificent instrument has enriched worship and recitals since the early 1800s, astounding performers and listeners alike with its beauty of tone.
History of the Down Cathedral organ
Down Cathedral possesses one of the finest organs in Ireland both in terms of its look and sound.
The double fronted case which is pulpitum mounted in the centre of the building is a rare survival, this position having been lost in many other important cathedrals. While the building was being restored from ruins, Woffington of Dublin installed the organ in 1802. It may have been second hand then and various theories of its origins have been mooted and some disproved. In 1819 Hull of Dublin enlarged the organ only to have it virtually replaced by Telford of Dublin who built a new organ inside the case in 1854. This would have been a 2 manual and pedal organ of about 28 stops.
In 1914 another large rebuild was undertaken modernising the tracker action to tubular-pneumatic. Harrisons of Durham were chosen and the organ was made 3 manuals and pedals with 24 stops. Structural work required to the screen holding the organ and pneumatics failing led to the organ again being rebuilt by Harrisons in 1966, this time with electro-pneumatic action. Lord Dunleath’s involvement resulted in the choir department being replaced with a substantially new one and expanded from 4 to 7 stops, a new Pedal/Great Mixture added and a new 16ft Trumpet placed outside the organ case. During all these rebuilds, most pipes of the Swell and Great remained unaltered from their early origins giving the organ good integrity.
A cleaning was done in 1987 in conjunction with dry rot repairs when the Great Sharp Mixture was replaced with new pipes. A Vox Angelica was reinstated in 1999 as it had been displaced in 1966 by a new Swell Mixture.
The present work involves much needed restoration of the soundboards and actions as well as updating the console and electrics. Great Trumpet and Harmonic Flute stops will be carefully integrated along with Choir mutations.
Donate today
Help to maintain our historic building and support the ongoing ministry of Down Cathedral.
Why do we have a restoration appeal?
In any organ the mechanism is complicated. Down Cathedral’s organ requires thousands of moving parts to activate its three keyboards and pedals. Many components are now nearing the end of their effective working life. The restoration is a financial and practical challenge.
Wear in moving parts
Complex action systems age; reliability and responsiveness can suffer without intervention.
Dust and debris
Decades of dirt can clog speaking pipes and diminish the tone, clarity, and beauty of sound.
Expensive repairs
Removing and cleaning individual pipes is highly skilled, time-consuming, and expensive.
What your donation will sustain
The instrument has been in use from the early 1800s, enhancing worship and providing further enrichment through recitals and musical events. With your support, this splendid organ can continue to give a wonderful musical experience in this historic Cathedral for generations to come.
Thank you for your donation
Donations to the Organ Restoration Appeal may be made in the following ways:
Bank transfer
Down Cathedral No.1 Account
Sort code: 950291
Account No: 31062999
IBAN: GB96 DABA 9502 9131 0629 99
BIC/SWIFT: DABAGB2B
Ref: Organ Appeal
Cheque
Payable to:
Down Cathedral Organ Appeal
Address: The Honorary Treasurer, Down Cathedral, English Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AB
Gift Aid
UK taxpayers: Boost your donation by 25% by submitting a Gift Aid declaration
For everyone £1 you donate Down Cathedral can reclaim an additional 25p from the tax you’ve paid in the current tax year.
Complete the declaration below if you are making a donation today or have made a donation by cash, cheque or bank transfer in the past four years. We may be able to claim Gift Aid on those donations. This declaration will also apply to any future eligible donations you make until you tell us otherwise.
Gift Aid eligibility: You must be a UK taxpayer. Include your full name, address and postcode in the box below. We need these details to comply with HMRC requirements.
Please notify Down Cathedral using the contact form on the home page if you:
- want to cancel this declaration
- change your name or home address
- no longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains
If you pay Income Tax at the higher or additional rate and want to receive the additional tax relief due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self-Assessment tax return or ask HM Revenue and Customs to adjust your tax code.
Down Cathedral is a registered charity by HMRC, Ref: XN46070
Download Gift Aid form
If you prefer to send a manual declaration form you can do so by downloading the PDF below and emailing it or sending it to the address on the form.