Victor Griffin talks about becoming the Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral and the legacy of Jonathan Swift.
Dean Victor Griffin was born in Carnew, County Wicklow in 1924. He was educated at Mountjoy School and Trinity College Dublin. He was ordained in 1947 and became Rector at Christ Church Derry in 1957. In 1969, he was elected Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral Dublin.
Victor Griffin describes how he became Dean of St Patrick's. St Patrick's is unique in that it is the national cathedral of the whole Church of Ireland with representatives from each diocese. The Dean is elected on a national basis and is not subject to any bishop or archbishop but is subject to the authority of the general synod of the Church of Ireland. He describes the position as autonomous and independent which suits his personality.
I've always been a rather independently minded person.
Jonathan Swift was Dean at St Patrick's Cathedral from 1713 until his death in 1745 and is undoubtedly the most famous Dean to have held the position. Dean Victor Griffin recalls a humorous story of two American academics who believed that Dean Swift was still alive.
This episode of 'Hanly's People' was broadcast on 19 January 1987. The presenter is David Hanly.
'Hanly's People' was a weekly programme featuring a guest in conversation with presenter David Hanly in a living room setting for half an hour. Each guest was someone in the news, making the news or behind the news. They were drawn from all spheres of public life, including politics and the arts. 'Hanly's People' was first broadcast on 6 October 1986 and ended on 6 June 1991.
