One of the largest medieval crypts in these islands, in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, was reopened yesterday by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, after its renovation from a dank, musty basement to a facility which may be used for functions and receptions. The Taoiseach also launched the first academic history of the cathedral, which was founded 970 years ago.
In the crypt, which dates from 1172, Mr Ahern addressed a gathering of church dignitaries, including the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Walton Empey, historians and friends of the cathedral. "As I stand here today in Christ Church, I do think that we face into a much better millennium than the last, and that this magnificent cathedral can stand as a symbol of a commitment to build peace and greater unity for future generations," he said.
Launching the book Christ Church Cathedral Dublin: A History, he said it was the first such history. The book was edited by Dr Kenneth Milne.
"I have looked over the articles in this great book . . . I certainly will be quoting it, if that's OK, when I visit Norway in two weeks' time. While it may be hard to explain why it took over 1,000 years to get this story told, I will be telling them to visit this living landmark, the community of Christ Church in the heart of old Dublin, and I will tell them with pride that you stand in a Norse community which is in fact older than either Bergen or Oslo," the Taoiseach said.
The Dean of Christ Church, the Very Rev John Paterson, said it was a momentous day for the cathedral. Scholars of repute had given of their time to recount in the book the turbulent events of the ancient church and its links with Dublin city and the Irish State.
After the opening, the Taoiseach was taken around the crypt to look at the exhibits, which include wooden stocks in which miscreants were placed, with ankles and wrists and sometimes their necks thrust through the holes. He was also shown a foundation stone which is thought to date back to 1170.