04/12/2025
Bishop William Bedell, 1571-1642: His Life, Work and Contemporaries: William Bedell holds an important place in the history of the Bible Society in Ireland, as he commissioned the first Irish translation of the Bible on this island which was published in 1685. Bedell died before he saw the full fruits of his labour, which included a completed Old Testament available for the first time in history in the Irish language. The Bible Society was not to be founded until 1804 with the vision of enabling everyone access Scripture in their own tongue - Bedell was a pioneer and a man ahead of his time. Or maybe exactly the right time.
"A significant new book examining the life and legacy of one of Ireland's most intriguing 17th-century church figures was launched last night at St Fethlimidh's Cathedral, Kilmore.
Bishop William Bedell, 1571-1642: His Life, Work and Contemporaries, edited by Brendan Scott, brings together ten scholarly essays exploring the multifaceted career of the former Bishop of Kilmore, whose pioneering work on translating the Old Testament into Irish was not published until long after his death."
New Volume Explores Life of former Bishop of Kilmore
A significant new book examining the life and legacy of one of Ireland's most intriguing 17th-century church figures was launched last night at St Fethlimidh's Cathedral, Kilmore.
Bishop William Bedell, 1571-1642: His Life, Work and Contemporaries, edited by Brendan Scott, brings together ten scholarly essays exploring the multifaceted career of the former Bishop of Kilmore, whose pioneering work on translating the Old Testament into Irish was not published until long after his death.
The launch drew a large and appreciative audience of book-buyers and local history enthusiasts to hear from both the editor and the current Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh.
Bishop Ferran Glenfield, who introduced the volume, characterised Bedell as "a man of his age, a Renaissance man, a Reformation man." Bedell's remarkable journey took him from Emmanuel College, Cambridge, to serving as chaplain to the English ambassador in Venice, before his appointment to the bishopric of Kilmore.
Editor Brendan Scott described Bedell as a complex character whose greatest achievementโfacilitating the translation of the Old Testament into Irishโcame to final fruition only posthumously. Bedell died during the 1641 Rebellion, following a period of incarceration, and his translation work remained unpublished until years later.
The collection examines not only Bedell's life and work but also explores the contribution of his biographer and stepson-in-law, Alexander Clogie.
Among those at the launch in Kilmore was Ruairรญ ร hAodha of Roscommon County Library, whose essay examines Protestantism and learning in Ireland in the decades preceding Bedell's arrival in Kilmore.
Dean Nigel Crossey, hosting the event, led prayers before guests enjoyed hot refreshmentsโparticularly welcome on a cold December evening.
Picture (l-r): Ruairรญ ร hAodha, Bishop Ferran Glenfield, Brendan Scott
