As the Journalists’ Church, it is our immense privilege to be hosting this service to honour the memory and celebrate the life of a man who was outstanding in his role as an editor and CEO – and tireless in his support for journalists and the publishing industry – a career that was the more remarkable because the route by which Barry McIlheney achieved these heights was by no means conventional.
His back story included time spent working in the steel works in Belfast, as a porter in Belfast Royal Infirmary, and as a librarian – alongside, of course, performing in a Belfast punk band. From writing freelance, he went on to study journalism at City, having discovered his true vocation.
Barry’s death came as a terrible shock, and his loss has been a devastating one, not only to the family that was so very close to his heart, and to his many, many friends – but also to those in the profession who were privileged to know him.
St Bride’s was a church that was incredibly close to Barry’s heart. So we are honoured to remember with thanksgiving here today, a man who contributed so much to the industry he loved; and enriched the lives of so many who knew him and loved him.
Barry remained immensely proud of his Belfast roots – and it is just possible that you might glimpse the odd hint of an Irish theme during this service.
We begin with some words by the priest and poet John Donne.
Let us pray:
Bring us, O Lord, at our last awakening
Into the house and gate of heaven,
To enter into that gate and dwell in that house
Where shall be no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light;
No noise nor silence, but one equal music;
No fears nor hopes, but one equal possession:
No ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity
In the habitations of your glory and dominion,
World without end. Amen.
