Dublin is an unusual city in having two Anglican cathedrals within a few hundred yards of each other, St Patricks cathedral and the diocesan cathedral of Christ Church. This volume chronicles the history of St Patricks cathedral over the millennium of its existence, the first work to do so for almost two hundred years. It charts the impact of events such as the Reformation in the sixteenth century and disestablishment in the nineteenth century as well as chronicling the evolution of a local community through the architecture of the cathedrals buildings and the music of its worship. As such the book casts into relief not only the life of the church but also the workings of the city and the country as a whole through their turbulent histories.--from publisher description.

In this book St. Patrick testifies to us of his conversion, trials, and tribulations in seeking, surrendering, and suffering for Christ. Even though most of us do not dare attempt to aspire to reach the heights of St. Patrick, it is important to realize that God made each and every person an individual - not to be like another - but rather to be like Christ. He made each person unique and endows each of us with different gifts and graces. This is why we study and admire other followers of Christ but we are not to try to be exactly like another. In growing in virtue - yes. But God has a very specific wills and assignments for each of us. Nevertheless it is helpful to study and reflect on the virtues of others like St. Patrick.

More information to be announced soon on this forthcoming title from Penguin USA

This is the first full-length study of the perception and treatment of Gothic church architecture in Ireland in the period between 1789 and 1915. The book considers three main areas: the perception of Gothic architecture; the development of a tradition of scholarship on Irish Gothic; and the actual changes wrought to the fabric of the buildings, as well as the social and legal framework for those changes. Shifting the focus from high-status monuments, such as the medieval cathedrals of Dublin, the book considers the treatment of smaller medieval buildings. These include the ruined monastic buildings and cathedral buildings outside of Dublin, but also smaller parish churches that were being restored for reuse as places of worship, such as those at Adare, County Limerick and at Ballintober, County Mayo. It examines the increasingly political interpretation of these monuments throughout the 19th century and the role of these buildings as sites of memory within devotional landscapes. The evolving professionalization of architectural restoration in this period is also charted, and is considered within the developing legal framework for the protection of what was seen as ancient and national heritage. [Subject: History, Medieval Studies, Irish Studies, Architecture, Religious Studies]

In 1938, at an age when most men are long retired, Douglas Hyde (1860-1949) was elected first president of modern Ireland. The unanimous choice of delegates from all political factions, he was no stranger to public life or to fame. Until now, however, there has been no full-scale biography of this important historical and literary figure. Known as a tireless nationalist, Hyde attracted attention on both sides of the Atlantic from a very early age. He was hailed by Yeats as a source of the Irish Literary Renaissance; earned international recognition for his contributions to the theory and methodology of folklore; joined Lady Gregory, W. B. Yeats, George Moore, and Edward Martyn in shaping an Irish theater; and as president of the Gaelic League worked for twenty-two years on behalf of Irish Ireland. Yet in spite of these and other accomplishments Hyde remained an enigmatic figure throughout his life. Why did he become an Irish nationalist? Why were his two terms as Irish Free State senator so curiously passive? Why, when he had threatened it earlier, did he oppose the use of physical force in 1916? How did he nevertheless retain the support of his countrymen and the trust and friendship of such a man as Eamon de Valera? Douglas Hyde: A Maker of Modern Ireland dispels for the first time the myths and misinformation that have obscured the private life of this extraordinary scholar and statesman.