Aonghus Dwane on his new book on Church of Ireland Archbishop Donald Caird

Brenda Drumm spoke to Aonghus Dwane about his new book on Donald Caird.

As Bishop of Limerick, Bishop of Meath and Kildare, and Archbishop of Dublin successively, Donald Caird has enjoyed a distinguished career in the Church of Ireland. His lifelong interests in the Irish language and ecumenism mean he is also well-known in wider Irish society.

His time in office, particularly as Archbishop of Dublin in the mid-1980s to mid-1990s, coincided with historic developments in the life of both Church and State, including the great 'liberal agenda' debates on contraception, abortion and divorce in the Republic; the ordination of women to the ministry of the Church of Ireland, and the developing peace process in Northern Ireland. A man who had met both Peig Sayers and CS Lewis, the broad scope of Donald’s friendships and interests both North and South afforded him an unusual insight into many aspects of the Irish scene, combining leadership of his own community with interested engagement with other streams of national life.

This biography will trace Donald Caird’s life story from early experiences in the Gaeltachtaí of Dún Chaoin and the Blaskets, and his introduction to the Irish language Guild of the Church (where he encountered figures such as Dr Kathleen Lynn who had participated in the 1916 Rising); through his education in Trinity College and early life in the ministry (including a curacy and chaplaincy in Northern Ireland) to the taking up of episcopal office in 1970. The visit of Pope John Paul II to Ireland and his meeting with Church of Ireland bishops in 1979; Donald's relationships with the late Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich and Archbishop Robin Eames; and his strong commitment to ecumenism and full minority participation in the institutions of the Republic are all recounted. Readers will also get a glimpse of the private and family man through his own reminiscences and the anecdotes of friends and contemporaries.

Aonghus Dwane is an Irish language officer in Trinity College Dublin. Originally from Cork city and a graduate in Law from UCC, he worked as a senior prosecution solicitor with the DPP before moving to the Irish language sector in 2005. He has contributed to various newspapers and journals and was director of the Celtic Revival Summer School in Dublin and the Aran Islands in 2006. He is the deputy chairman of Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise.

Broadcast on Sunday 25 January 2015.