08.06.2016
Hidden Treasures from Cathedral’s Past Unearthed for New Exhibition
A new exhibition which brings forgotten cathedral artefacts to back into the public eye opened yesterday evening (Tuesday June 7) at Christ Church Cathedral. Running throughout the summer, “Where Neither Moth Nor Rust Doth Corrupt” is an alternative history of Christ Church Cathedral.
In the daily life of the cathedral, the historic archives and cathedral treasures receive regular attention. However, relegated to storage rooms and dusty areas, out of sight and mind, are unused and forgotten artefacts which also reveal something of the cathedral’s history and heritage.
The cathedral’s education officer, Ruth Kenny and Canon Roy Byrne have spent many months sifting through these hidden areas of the cathedral. Together they have unearthed a widow’s mite coin dating from 100 BC which was discovered in the cathedral grounds; a bone needle used for stitching shrouds; a Viking box; photographs of the neighbourhood from the 1870s; and a selection of beautiful gothic keys.
Apart from the intriguing items that are being brought back to the limelight, there are many stories that have been uncovered – the soldier eaten alive by rats in the crypt and the Archbishop’s gallows in Harold’s Cross.
Welcoming everyone to the launch, the cathedral’s Precentor, Canon Neil McEndoo, paid tribute to Ruth Kenny and Canon Byrne for the work they had put into the exhibition. He said that one of the things that struck him about the exhibition was the huge change that had taken place in the vicinity of the cathedral as evidenced by the photographs dating back more than 100 years. He added that the stories from the cathedral and surrounding area were fascinating.
Canon Byrne spoke of his ‘affliction’ of hoarding and said his house looked like a branch office of the National Museum or the Little Museum of Dublin. But he said his hoarding, born out of a family tradition, had paid off and some of his finds had been shown in exhibitions by the RCB Library, the Little Museum and the Chapel Royal in Dublin Castle.
Since becoming involved with the cathedral, his instinct for searching out items was further tickled. “I realised that there were collections hidden away in drawers, cupboards and storage areas which could give us new insights into the cathedral’s history,” he explained. He acknowledged the enormous help of Ruth Kenny but also of the wider cathedral family including Dr Stuart Kinsella and Denis Roseingrave.
Director of the Little Museum of Dublin, Trevor White, officially launched the exhibition. He described some of the artefacts on display in the exhibition as incredible, detailing the multitude of guidebooks, a wooden mace head and a bust of Edward Carson. “I am very mindful of the fact, as someone who runs a visitor attraction, that half your audience does not want to be there. They are there because their husband or wife, son or daughter wants to be there. You need to appeal to as wide an audience as possible and here there is something for everyone,” he commented.
The exhibition title comes from St Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 6, verse 20, where Jesus stresses the value of the treasures of the Kingdom of God over the myriad of earthly things of no value or worth. It is open daily from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm. Normal cathedral admission applies.
Photo caption: Christ Church Cathedral’s education officer, Ruth Kenny; Director of the Little Museum of Dublin, Trevor White; and Canon Roy Byrne.
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