The fifth volume in the Representative Church Body Library's series of Church of Ireland registers of baptisms, marriages and burials has been published. The Register of the Cathedral Church of St Columb, Derry, 1732-1786 has been edited by Dr Colin Thomas, Reader in Geography in the University of Ulster at Coleraine.
St Columb's Cathedral, the core of which was built between 1628 and 1633, is Derry's oldest surviving building and its registers, which date from 1642, are invaluable sources for the history of the city. The first register, covering the years 1642 to 1703, was printed in 1910, and the second, for the years 1703 to 1732 was edited by Dr Thomas and published by the RCB Library in 1997.
As Dr Thomas points out in his introduction to this latest Derry volume, church registers contribute uniquely to both institutional and family history by enabling parishioners and scholars to reconstruct the changing fortunes of a community and the life cycles of individuals. In short, parish registers are a must for both local historians and genealogists.
The Register of the Cathedral Church of St Columb, 1732-1786, edited by Colin Thomas, is available through bookshops or direct from the RCB Library, Braemor Park, Churchtown, Dublin 14, at £9.95 or £11.95 including postage.
Tomorrow RTE will broadcast Morning Service from Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford, where the dean is the Very Rev Peter Barrett. In Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, the lay reflection on "A Faith for the Third Millennium" will be given by Dr David Croke from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Walton Empey, will preside at the Ecumenical Civic Carol Service in St Ann's Church, Dawson Street, while the Bishop of Tuam, Dr Richard Henderson, will visit Galway for the Civic Carol Service in St Nicholas' Collegiate Church. The Bishop of Cork, the Right Rev Paul Colton will preside at the carol service in St Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork, and St Colman's Cathedral, Cloyne. In St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, there will be a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols for which tickets are not required.
On Monday evening the Archbishop of Dublin will be in Christ Church Cathedral for the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols while the Bishop of Cork will be in Rosscarbery for the festival of carols in St Fachtna's Cathedral.
The carolling will reach its climax with the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, on Christmas Eve. Admission by ticket only. It will be broadcast live on RTE at 4 p.m.
A welcome alternative to the familiar round of carol services will be the performance of a medieval advent play in Galway on Tuesday, under the auspices of the Galway Early Music Group. The first performance, at 4 p.m., will follow a procession through the city to St Augustine's Church from where there will be another procession to St Nicholas' Collegiate Church for a second performance at 4.30 p.m. It is intended to hold the performances in the open air but in the event of bad weather the plays will be staged in the churches.
Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, is inviting applications for the Guinness Organ Scholarship which is available for one year beginning in September 2000. The scholarship is intended for organ students wishing to gain experience in all aspects of cathedral music. The cathedral choir is a mixed adult ensemble that regularly broadcasts, makes recordings and undertakes tours. Accommodation is provided. Details may be had from Mark Bowyer, Music Secretary, The Chapter House, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin 8.