It is not every day that a publication can boast that it contains a historical record dating back to hundreds of years to the origins of the Clogher Diocese.
A new publication, 'Clogher Clergy', a directory of the names of Church of Ireland clergyman and women, is a legacy of many years work sifting through volumes of historical records and research which the present Bishop of Clogher, Dr Michael Jackson officially launched.
The book launch took place as part of a project to celebrate the 1500th anniversary of St Macartan, Patron Saint of Clogher Diocese.
"It is a great joy to us all", Bishop Jackson commented, "that it coincides with the year in which we have been celebrating 'Mcartan 1500', a wonderful year for us in Clogher when we mark fifteen hundred years of Christian witness in this diocese of great antiquity and vibrant contemporary life".
This book is a continuation of the 1929 publication by the late Canon JB Leslie, who in 1911 initiated the project to research the succession of Clergy in the Clogher Diocese.
It was extremely fortunate that the project was started at this time as the Diocesan Records up to 1870, which were the main foundation of the work, were destroyed when the Public Record Office in Dublin was fired.
'Clogher Clergy' not only contains a facsimile reproduction of the 1929 Volume, but has been substantially updated, bringing the succession list and clergy biographies up to date.
It also contains photographs of parish churches, with associated lists of parochial clergy, portraits of Prelates and Bishops since 1570, the only complete consecutive collection of portraits in Ireland. Many other items of interest are included in the publication.
The present publication was the result of an initiative taken by the then Diocesan Secretary, the Very Revd Thomas Moore in 1993 and the rekindled interest of the Revd Canon David Crooks in 2002. Others who gave support and helpful advice included the Very Revd WNC Barr, Mrs Florence Barr, the Revd Canon WEC Fleming, and the Revd Canon GN Little, along with Fintan Mullan and Fred Rankin of the Ulster Historical Foundation.
The project is part-financed by the European Union through the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the Northern Ireland Rural Development Council (RDC).
