[Church of Ireland Gazette] The largest ever peal of bells was rung at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, on 8th November. The previous record of 16 fully-rotating bells rung in sequence was broken not once but three times, with 17, then 18 and finally 19 bells being rung together.

Ringers from all over Ireland, and some from England, came together to help set the new world record. People all over Dublin city centre heard the bells ringing out, and there was wide coverage in the Irish media, including a television cameraman in the belfry.

The Master of the Cathedral Tower, Leslie Taylor, described the sound of the bells as truly astounding. "We were attempting to establish the new records," he said, "but the surprise was that adding in the three extra bells had such a dramatic and haunting effect. We all felt that instead of ending the ringing after a brief performance we'd like to go on for ever."

Seven new bells were commissioned by the cathedral to ring in the Millennium. The addition of some lighter bells will make it easier for younger ringers to take part, as the weight of the older bells makes them difficult to pull. Dublin will welcome 2000 with the greatest number of full-circle bells heard from any single location in the world.