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New book explores Finglas records

Tuesday, 29 April 2008

A new book which explores the fascinating records of four North Dublin parishes was recently launched in St Canice’s Church.
The records recall a time when a church vestry held numerous responsibilities that the Government carries out today.
They reveal how the church was involved in many other public sectors, such as the provision of education, looking after the poor, providing assistance for foundling children and orphans, the punishment of petty offences and some local administration such as road maintenance. Regardless of religious affiliation, householders and landowners where called upon to contribute financially to its activities through a parish tax.
The book entitled ‘The Vestry Records of the United Parishes of Finglas, St Margaret’s, Artane and the Ward 1657 to 1758’ was officially launched by Mary Clarke, Dublin City archivist. She said Dr Maighread Ni Mhurchada who had edited the text produced a “model of its kind” adding that the original records were written in secretary hand, which was deliberately difficult to read.
She explained: “Texts in secretary hand require patience and perseverance if they are to yield up their secrets and as we all know, Maighread is blessed with these qualities.”

Dr Ni Mhurchadha thanked everyone involved in the publication of the book including the Rector and Select Vestry for allowing the use of the church for the launch.
Upon tracing the famous historical figures associated with the Finglas area such as St Patrick, St Canice, William Hill and Prince William of Orange, she said she didn’t know of any town in Ireland with more celebrities per head of the population than Finglas.
She added that the vestry records were a starting point, and she looked forward to many more books from the people of Finglas.
“I hope many of you will find your ancestors in the vestry book but I hope you won’t find them in the list of tax defaulters,” she joked.

The Vestry Records of the United Parishes of Finglas, St Margaret’s, Artane and the Ward 1657 to 1758 edited by Dr Maighread Ni Mhurchada is published by Four Courts Press.

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