Irish Times Notes14 May 22

Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’

Archival Problem Solved

The RCB Library’s Archive of the Month for May follows up on a previous story from December 2018 when, following generous financial support, the Library acquired a volume documenting the fund–raising and construction work involved in a significant renovation of St Mary’s cathedral, Limerick, between 1859 and 1863.

The volume was digitized and made available for to view online with an accompanying introduction which could have been compiled by either of two creators – a father and a son both called John Armour Haydn, the name which appears on its front cover.

John Armour Haydn Sr (1845–1920) had a distinguished clerical career in the Diocese of Limerick, was recognised as a skilled musician, while his ability as a painter was realised after his death.  One of his sons, John Armour Haydn Jr (1881–1957), was also a skilled artist, and passionate about the history of St Mary’s cathedral and served in a lay capacity as secretary of the cathedral vestry and producing several published works about it.

Ascertaining the identity of the author was the focus of the original presentation and the story generated a lot of public interest. One of the online viewers to see it was Aileen Goulding Blomgren, from Illinois, USA, and a descendent of the family of John Armour Haydn Sr’s wife. She contacted the Library and donated an additional collection of papers including letters written by both men which have allowed the Library’s staff to compare the handwriting and determine that the original scrapbook was in fact the work of the Revd John Armour Haydn senior.

More significantly, the material provides a unique window into how families of Irish descent in America retained vital genealogical information about their connections in Ireland, through and correspondence and other memorabilia.  The Library is most grateful to Aileen for generously donating this personal family collection to the permanent custody of the RCB Library, allowing us to complete the story of the restoration scrapbook, but also to build a more accurate picture of the Haydn family and their American connections.

Trinity College Chapel Choir is undertaking its first trip abroad since the Covid pandemic by invitation from Bishop Carlos López. The choir will present a concert today (Saturday) in the Cathedral of the Redeemer, Madrid, and will sing at the sung Eucharist there tomorrow (Sunday) morning. The cathedral of the Reformed Episcopal Church in Spain has many connections with the Church of Ireland as the Church’s first bishop was consecrated by three bishops of the Church of Ireland.

The Annual Service for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia hosted by Changing Attitude Ireland will be held tomorrow (Sunday) from 5.00pm to 6.30pm and will be a hybrid event online and at St. George’s parish church, Belfast. The guest preacher is the Rev. Karen Sethuraman. All are welcome and further information may be had from Pam Tilson at p_tilson@hotmail.com

On Friday, in Christ Church cathedral, the Archbishop of Dublin will chair the Electoral College which will seek to elect a Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory, in succession to the Rt Revd Michael Burrows who has been translated to the new see of Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe. In the evening, at 7.30 in St Brigid’s church, Castleknock, Dr Jackson will institute the Revd Colin McConaghie to the incumbency of Castleknock, Mullhuddert & Clonsilla.

The Church of Ireland Youth Department’s Young Leaders in Ministry Fund is open again for applications with a closing date of Tuesday, 31 May.  Queries may be addressed to Simon Henry at simon@ciyd.org