Another Book from the RCB Library

On Tuesday, 16 January, 2001, there was a very pleasant reception in the crypt of Christ Church Cathedral to mark the launch of A Catalogue of the Maps of the Estates of the Archbishops of Dublin, 1654 - 1850, by Raymond Refaussé, the Church of Ireland archivist, and his wife, Dublin Corporation archivist Mary Clark.

The archbishop, Dr Empey, presided. Praising the quality of the book he said he was unfortunate in being archbishop at a time when there were no estates attached to the office. Quipping that he was born out of season, he said, "Amongst the places where my predecessors had estates were Finglas, Swords, Dalkey, Lusk and Clonmel. I'm not greedy and I'll settle for one in Dalkey now!"

Professor John Andrews, formerly Professor of Geography at Dublin University, then formally launched the book. Congratulating the authors he said that it was "a wonderful display of good scholarship, good judgement and good taste."

Dr Refaussé thanked all those who assisted with the book's production particularly the publisher, Michael Adams of Four Courts Press. He also expressed gratitude to a number of bodies who grant-aided the publication, including the Heritage Council, the Diocesan Councils of Dublin & Glendalough and the Representative Church Body.

The attendance included Dr Anngret Simms, Professor Fred Aalen, Dr Muriel McCarthy, Marsh's Library, Dr Kenneth Milne, the Church of Ireland historiographer, and Dr Susan Hood, RCB Library. Dr Raymond Gillespie who compiled an historical introduction to the book was also present.

A Catalogue of the Maps of the Estates of the Archbishops of Dublin, 1654 - 1850, by Raymond Refaussé and Mary Clark, published by Four Courts Press, is on sale in bookshops, price £35.