Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
Bolton Library
A new chapter in the survival story of one of Ireland’s most remarkable private collections of rare books – the Bolton Library – has been launched by the RCB Library in conjunction with the Glucksman Library in the University of Limerick where the collection is now located. This is a public appeal to help locate missing books and thus fill in some gaps that have been identified during the cataloguing work undertaken by the Glucksman since 2016.
Vested in the Representative Church Body the collection, (formerly the diocesan library of Cashel) comprised over 12,000 early printed books, manuscripts and incunabula accumulated by Archbishop William King and Bishop Theophilus Bolton in the early 18th century. Originally in the Bishop’s Palace in Cashel, the collection was moved to a purpose–built house on the grounds of the Cashel Cathedral in 1835, and subsequently removed to Dublin for safe keeping, before being returned the library building in Cashel. Despite considerable effort it proved impossible to ensure that the accommodation in Cashel met acceptable modern standards and it was agreed to transfer the collection to UL.
Given its longevity and the fact that the collection was moved more than once, it has, perhaps, been inevitable that books would have gone astray during the three centuries of its existence. Now that the expert cataloguing work is complete, it is estimated that around 800 volumes of the original remain unaccounted for.
The RCB Library is appealing to libraries, private collectors and others to check their shelves and catalogues to see if have any items with the distinctive Cashel Library stamp.
In Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, the series of Lenten sermons and addresses continues at the 11am Sunday Eucharist, on the theme of ‘The homelessness crisis: A Christian response’. This Sunday the address will be given by Barbara Comerford who will speak on ‘Christian Discipleship: Volunteering with those experiencing Homelessness’.
On Wednesday the Archbishop of Armagh will represent the Church of Ireland at the installation, in Canterbury Cathedral, of Bishop Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury. Also in attendance will be the Archbishop of Dublin and the Bishop of Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe.
Wednesday is the Feast of the Annunciation when the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross will preside at his final service in St Colman’s Cathedral, Cloyne, which will also incorporate the Mothers’ Union, Festival Service with the Commissioning of Deirdre Whitley as the new Diocesan President of the Mothers’ Union.
Peter Cheney has resigned from his role as Church of Ireland Press Officer to take up a position with the Anglican Centre in Rome where the Bishop of Tuam is Chairman. Mr Cheney joined the staff of the RCB in 2015 as Assistant Press Officer and in 2020 succeeded Paul Harron as Press Officer. At the recent meeting of the Standing Committee the Archbishop of Armagh thanked Mr Cheney for his faithfulness and diligence in his communications roles.