08.05.2023
Links between Christ Church Cathedral and Clans of Ireland grow stronger
The relationship between the historic Clans of Ireland and Christ Church Cathedral was cemented on Friday afternoon (May 5) with the unveiling of plaques which mark the cathedral’s Chapter House as the Clans’ meeting place.
The Clans of Ireland have been meeting in the cathedral since 2010 and two years ago the Board of Christ Church Cathedral committed to the continuation of the arrangement. The new plaques symbolise that commitment.
Clans of Ireland – Finte na hÉireann – is an independent permanent authority established in 1989 to register Irish clans and historical families. The Register of Clans of Ireland includes families of Irish–Gaelic, Norse, Anglo–Norman, Scots and Gallowglass origins.
Speaking at the unveiling, the Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, the Very Revd Dermot Dunne, said that the event was important in both the life of the cathedral and the life of Dublin. “I feel that it is a coming together of cultures within the cathedral and within Ireland. The cathedral celebrates its millennium in 2028. This is but a blip in the history of the clans but this cathedral was founded by Laurence O’Toole and its history goes back to Viking times. It is important for the cathedral to have a stronger link rooted in our own Irishness and it feels natural for the Clans to meet here,” he commented.
The Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, noted that the history brought to the cathedral by the Clans would further enrich the experience for visitors to Christ Church. “A cathedral is a place of worship and a place of hospitality. It cannot just look inward, it must also look outwards and the Clans help to do that,” he said.
Cathaoirleach of Clans of Ireland, Gearóid O Ceallaigh, remarked that the unveiling of the plaques marked a historically significant moment for the Clans of Ireland and their relationship with Christ Church Cathedral. “This new phase of our mutual association increases our sense of connection with this extraordinarily important building,” he said. “Since the 11th century Christ Church Cathedral has played a significant part in the history of Dublin and Ireland. It has associations with Gaelic, Hiberno Norse and Anglo–Norman traditions… and the person most notably associated with Christ Church Cathedral is Laurence O’Toole who was Archbishop of Dublin at the time of the Norman invasion.” He added that there was a further connection to the Irish Clans through the O’Byrnes.
The plaques were unveiled by renowned Irish historian, Dr Patrick Wallace, who was the archaeologist on the nearby Wood Quay dig and later the director of the National Museum. He said that Christianity in Dublin began with the Vikings and noted that King Sitric would have been involved in establishing a wooden church on the site of Christ Church. He gave a very interesting talk on the importance of Wood Quay and the artifacts and evidence of Viking and Norman life that the dig uncovered.
