The Red Book of Ossory to return home
by Emily Sheehan
The Red Book of Ossory exhibition opens today, July 29, in St. Canice's Cathedral in Co. Kilkenny.
700 years since it was penned by the Bishop of Ossory, Richard Ledrede, the 70 page vellum manuscript will has been returned to the Cathedral and will, for the first time, be on public display as part of a year long exhibition at the cathedral.
The Red Book will return 'home' to Kilkenny whilst on loan from the Representative Church Body Library.
Commenting on the exhibitions significance, the organiser, The Very Reverend Stephan Farrell, Dean of Ossory, said: "Its return to the cathedral brings the city's history to life, connecting us to a person and a time in a new and profound way."
The Red Book, named for its dyed red leather cover, has survived wars, plagues, and centuries.
Written in Latin, Old English, and French, the ornate calligraphy was intended for well-educated church members. Today, it is displayed at St. Canice's Cathedral and Round Tower.
The book provides insight and colour to 14th century Ireland – with the pages containing the earliest recorded recipe for 'Aqua Vitae', or 'Uisce Beatha', which was used for medicinal purposes as the plague of the Black Death besieged Europe.
This water of life is better known by its modern day name – whiskey.
Dean Farrell explains, "Richard Ledrede came here to reinvigorate his See, to stabilise the community. He kept everything he thought was important in The Red Book—just after the Black Death, when illness had ravaged the city, he put in there the height of modern science, a three-page shorthand Latin recipe for Aqua Vitae.”
“He was a man of faith and science, trying to look after the people in his care. It would be like someone having a recipe for the COVID vaccine today."
The author, Bishop Ledrede, was the first Bishop to reside in Kilkenny, and he soon became a formidable figure in the community.
Ledrede banned clergy from playing football on the cathedral grounds. He also decreed they should put away their concubines, and "none below the rank of a bishop is to absolve from murder".
The Bishop, harbouring something of an obsession for heresy in his diocese, initiated the trial of Alice Kyteler for witchcraft in 1324 – though Kyteler would escape the stake to the safety of England.
Alongside early provisions of the Magna Carta, poems, and songs composed by Bishop Ledrede , the Red Book also contains a letter sent to the Bishop by King Edward III, expressing concern that the noble Englishmen had 'gone native', providing scope for analysis on the relationship and judgements cast on fourteenth century Anglo-Irish relations.
St Canice's Cathedral and Round Tower has a programme of talks, events and workshops to accompany the exhibit throughout the year-long exhibition.
The first 'turn' will be on the recipe for Aqua Vitae.
A new vellum will be revealed every 12 weeks to show new passages to the public and protect the pages and spine of the ancient manuscript, similar to the process at the display of the Book of Kells.
Commenting on the exciting news, Dean Farrell said, "It's glorious to have Bishop Ledredes Red Book back home within the walls of St Canice's.
“When people visit The Red Book, it is to see a living history”, the Dean continued, pointing out those visiting the book shall also pass the tomb of Bishop Ledrede, which lies in the Cathedral.
“Kilkenny and the cathedral are imbued with the life of Ledrede and the Red Book of Ossory.”
“Over the next year, we will capture that sentiment and bring some of it to life in a new way."
St. Canice's Cathedral and Round Tower in Kilkenny is one of Ireland's oldest historic landmarks. Listed in the top three attractions in the city year after year. It welcomed 54,000 visitors last year.
Tickets to The Red Book Exhibition, open from Monday 29th July, are included in admission to St Canice's Cathedral from €6.50 here.
For more information visit St Canice's Cathedral website.