28.01.2019
Landmark Book on Irish in the Church of Ireland Relaunched in Bi–Lingual Form
The first book to chronicle the role of the Irish language in the history of the Church of Ireland has been re–published for a new generation by Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise. Thirty years after it was first written by Risteárd Giltrap, ‘An Ghaeilge in Eaglais na hÉireann’ was relaunched on Friday evening (January 25) in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, by broadcaster and Irish speaker, Bibi Baskin.
The new edition is bi–lingual with the Irish and English text on opposite pages making the landmark book more accessible to Irish and English readers alike. The book shines a light on a strand of Irishness which has long been an influential aspect of Irish identity. The author, Risteárd Giltrap, who attended the launch felt that apart from Douglas Hyde’s achievements in the Irish language movement, very little was known about the other members of the Church of Ireland who were, and remain, committed to the Irish language. The book is beautifully presented with many historic photographs and illustrations also.
The launch took place in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Nial Ring and his ADC Martin McCabe. It followed the annual ecumenical service in Irish which takes place to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The service was led by the Revd Trevor Sargent, the Revd David Oxley and Fr Liam Ó Cuív. The preacher at the service was Canon Gary Hastings. The service was sung by the Choir of Gaelscoil na Cille, Dún Dhéagláin and a consort of the Christ Church Cathedral Choir.
Officially relaunching the book, Bibi Baskin, said it was a very important publication which put paid to the notion that Protestants had no interest in Irish. She paid tribute to the amount of research the author carried out to include such a huge range of history and facts which are part of the background of members of the Church.
“This publication of the second edition is timely. There have been so many changes and we are living in a multicultural Ireland where we hear so many different languages being spoken. This begs the question: why don’t we appreciate our language?” she asked.
Patron of Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise, Bishop Michael Burrows, welcomed the publication of the second edition of the book. He said Mr Giltrap was one of the people who had helped to make him who he is.
Writing in the prologue in 1989 Mr Giltrap stated: “The objectives of this book … are (a) to contradict the belief widely held by Irish people that no members of the Church of Ireland, with the exception of Douglas Hyde, struck a useful blow for Irish (b) to encourage young members of the Church of Ireland, and those responsible for them, in the hope that they may gain a fresh understanding of the Irish language tradition and its importance in the evolution of our Church and our nation”.
‘An Ghaeilge in Eaglais na hÉireann’ will be available to buy online from the Church of Ireland website shortly.