The bicentenary of the first service at the Chapel Royal, Dublin Castle on Christmas Day 1814 provided the occasion for the making of this book. What is remarkable is that this book was not conceived before now. The several contributors, all experts in their fields, have unearthed a wide breadth of previously unpublished material and new research, all of which brings our understanding of the Chapel Royal to a new level.

 

Contents:

 

• Foreword, John McMahon;

 

• Preface, Mary Heffernan;

 

• Acknowledgements

 

• Introduction, William Derham;

 

• ‘The Chapel of the King in the Castle of Dublin.’ The Dublin Castle Chapel before 1807, Rachel Moss;

 

• ‘A stile more suited to Vice-regal splendour’. The building of the Chapel Royal. 1807 – 14, Judith Hill;

 

• ‘One guinea per head more’. The figurative ornament of Edward and John Smyth, Rita Larkin;

 

• Funerals Furnished.’ Cabinetmaking, upholstering and undertaking at the viceregal chapel, Angela Alexander;

 

• ‘Divine Service...every day in the week.’ The bindings of the service books for the Dublin Castle Chapel, Joseph McDonnell;

 

• ‘The service is chaunted and an anthem sung.’ Music and liturgy at the Chapel Royal, David O’Shea;

 

• ‘That is what began the controversy’. The Chapel Royal, Christ Church Catherdral and the silver-gilt altar plate, Roy Byrne;

 

• ‘Throw open those privilged pens’. The changing face of the Chapel Royal, 1815 – 2015, Myles Campbell.

 

Index.

 

illustrations: Illustrated throughout in colour format/extent:

 

paperback c. 155 pages