Silverware given by King William III to Christ Church Cathedral to celebrate victory at the Battle of the Boyne goes on display.
The exhibition in the crypt of Christ Church Cathedral allows the treasures of the cathedral to be seen by the general public.
Two exhibits show just how quickly the tide of history moved in the space of just over twelve months. On one side of the crypt is a tabernacle from 1689 used by King James II when he attended Mass here in the Chapel Royal, having restored Catholicism as the official religion a century and a half after the Reformation.
Sharing the same space are the silver gilt plate donated by King William III of England, also known as William of Orange. Consisting of silver candlesticks, flagons, a chalice and cover, a paten, a large decorated place and an alms dish, their donation to the cathedral was a sign of the king's gratitude for his victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, an event which led to the restoration of Protestantism in Ireland and Britain.
Dean of Christ Church Cathedral John Paterson is delighted to be able to welcome Dubliners and visitors to view the cathedral's treasures,
We want everybody to see it and everybody to enjoy it.
Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltact and the Island Síle de Valera acknowledges that times have changed to allow this silverware to be displayed. Thanking Dean Paterson for having the vision to create this exhibition and open up the crypt to visitors, it is a measure of Christ Church's central role in the life of Dublin city.
It's very much a living monument.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 30 May 2001. The reporter is Joe Little.
