History Book Launched

Thursday, 24 June 2010 13:12

A new, compact and colourful introduction to the Church of Ireland was launched at the General Synod in May.

Written by Down and Dromore Diocesan Youth Officer, Andrew Brannigan, and entitled ‘Church of Ireland: Origins, History and Present Day Practice,’ the book sets out to cover these three areas in a simple and appealing way. It has been designed with young people in mind but should have a much broader appeal. New church members, youth groups, confirmation classes and schools will find it particularly useful.

Andrew, who has also written a Confirmation Handbook, helps resource and encourage youth work at a parish level and the book is a response to his experience on the ground.

“After several years of working with young people in the Church of Ireland I began to realise that there was a growing lack of understanding of our church - of where it has come from and what it is about today,” he says.  “This book was written for young and old alike in an attempt to help inform people about our church but also encourage them in the part they can play in it.”

Speaking at the launch of the History Book, Archbishop Alan Harper said 'This book appeals to the eye in a largely visual age, as well as appealing to the intellect in a wholly acceptable way.' He referred to the book appealing to 'the grizzly in all of us, especially on pg 35 when the book touches on people 'being hung drawn and quartered!'.' The Archbishop commended the book for striking a considerate balance between past and future and promoting the message of embracing and working towards a shared future for all Christians.

A free copy will be made available to all clergy and staff in the Church of Ireland as well as the Religious Education departments in schools.  Further copies will be available from Andrew Brannigan ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) at a cost of £3.