02.05.2017
Beautiful New Portrait of Former Archbishop Unveiled
A wonderful new portrait of the Rt Revd Walton Empey, former Archbishop of Dublin, was unveiled in Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday morning. The portrait, by Olivia Bartlett, was commissioned by the Friends of Christ Church Cathedral and will hang in the Chapter Room.
Bishop Empey was present at the Cathedral Eucharist, accompanied by his wife Louie and their children and grandchildren. The congregation included a great many friends and well wishers.
Speaking at the unveiling, Mrs Bartlett, said she had been deeply honoured to be commissioned to paint the portrait and outlined her artistic process. Bishop Empey had expressed the wish that the portrait depict him as he was in office and after a lengthy search and trawling the internet, she said she eventually found a suitable photograph on the front page of an old copy of the Friends of Christ Church Cathedral News.
In reply, Bishop Empey said he was deeply touched when told of the Friends’ decision to have a portrait commissioned. He said he was delighted with the new portrait and thanked the Friends, Olivia and Dean Dermot Dunne for enabling it to happen.
Bishop Empey retired as Archbishop of Dublin and Bishop of Glendalough in 2002.