The Choral Foundation of the Chapel Royal, Dublin Castle: Constitution, Liturgy, Music, 1814-1922

The Dublin Chapel Royal,Dublin Castle,was a place of worship of the British monarch's representative in Ireland from 1814 until 1922. It was founded and maintained by the joint efforts of church and state, and its musical foundation was a formal and independent entity with its own personnel and performance traditions. This study investigates the Chapel's constitution, liturgy, and music through an examination of previously unexplored primary material, and discusses how it was part of a wider aesthetic and liturgical tradition. Accounts of the Chapel's clergy, organists, boy choristers, and gentleman singers provide insights into Dublin's social history during a period of significant change.

Format: Hardback
Length: 306 pages
Publication date: 23 May 2023
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

The Chapel Royal, Dublin Castle, served as the primary place of worship for the British monarch's representative in Ireland from 1814 until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. This chapel, founded and maintained through a collaborative effort between the church and state, holds immense historical significance as it provides valuable insights into the intricate relationship between religion and politics that shaped Irish society and identity.

The Dublin Chapel was meticulously designed to mimic the Chapel Royal of St James's Palace in London, and it was staffed by a dedicated team of clergy and musicians. The musical foundation of this chapel was a distinct entity, with its own personnel and unique performance traditions. The Chapel's repertoire encompassed music from the English and Irish cathedral traditions, as well as works commissioned specifically for its performances.

In order to investigate the Chapel's constitution, liturgy, and music, this study delves into previously unexplored primary material. By examining the circumstances surrounding the Chapel's founding and its governance structures, the study places the institution within the context of the church-state relationship that emerged following the Union of 1800. Furthermore, the study explores architecture, churchmanship, and musical style to demonstrate how the Chapel was part of a broader aesthetic and liturgical tradition.

The choral foundation of the Dublin Chapel is brought to life through accounts of the Chapel's clergy, organists, boy choristers, and gentleman singers. These narratives offer valuable insights into Dublin's social history during a period of significant change. The Chapel's legacy is examined a century after its closure in this book, and a fresh perspective is offered on a forgotten corner of Irish cultural, religious, and political history.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783277704