One of the more remarkable phenomena in Irish historiography in recent years has been the upsurge of interest in local history. This is often spontaneous and arises from the curiosity of people who have moved to a new locality, but increasingly it is structured either through local historical societies or in schools, colleges and universities.
Central to most historical endeavours in Ireland is the church, which is the only institution to have survived from early times to the present day. Its longevity, combined with its sustained presence in almost every corner of the country, suggests that it is, or has been, the most profound influence on the development of Irish society.
The Church of Ireland as the lineal descendant, legally at least, of the church in Ireland following the Reformation, and subsequently as the established church until the late 19th century, has inherited responsibility for many of the sources which are fundamental to Irish local history. Records of parishes, dioceses and cathedrals, church buildings and graveyards, memorials in stone, glass and silver contain much valuable information, not only about local Church of Ireland people but also the wider communities in which they lived and worked.
In order to make such resources better known, a series of guides entitled Maynooth Research Guides for Irish Local History is being developed under the general editorship of Dr Mary Anne Lyons, from the history department of St Patrick's College, Drumcondra. The first guide in this series, Church of Ireland Records, written by the librarian and archivist of the Church of Ireland, Dr Raymond Refausse, has just appeared. It offers an introduction to the archives and manuscripts of the Church of Ireland and to the administrative structures which produced these records. Access to the records, both intellectually and physically, is discussed, as are problems of interpretation.
Church of Ireland Records is published by Irish Academic Press at £9.95 and is available through bookshops.
Today an ecumenical pilgrimage to Taize, organised by the Church of Ireland youth department, leaves for the south of France. The president of the youth department, Dr Richard Henderson, Bishop of Tuam, is leading the week-long pilgrimage, when young adults will take part in "inter-continental" groups to explore their faith, their hopes for the future and the different cultural experiences of the world. The Taize Community is home to 120 brothers from Christian churches all over the world. During the summer months, up to 5,000 young adults from across the globe come together there to take part in the simplicity of community life.
The St Peter's, Drogheda, summer fair will take place today in St Peter's Close, Peter Street, Drogheda. Funds raised will go towards the restoration of the church, following last year's arson attack. In St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, there will be a lunchtime recital today by the Norwegian Student Choral Society.
The ninth biennial conference on baroque music, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the death of J.S. Bach, begins in Trinity College Dublin on Wednesday. The keynote address will be given in St Patrick's Cathedral on Thursday evening by the Rev Dr Robin Leaver, who is both an Anglican clergyman and a distinguished musicologist. Dr Leaver's address will concentrate on the theological aspects of Bach's music and will be followed by a Lutheran service. The music will be directed by David Adams, director of chapel music in Trinity College Dublin.
On Thursday, the Western New York Children's Chorus will give a concert in St Mary's Church, Howth, the proceeds of which are going to the L'Arche Community in Baldoyle.