Chris launches ‘Quiet Fervour’
HISTORIAN Chris Lawlor launched his new book entitled ‘With Much Quiet Fervour’ on the history of Dunlavin Roman Catholic parish and St Nicholas of Myra church at the Dunlavin Harvest Festival.
The book is now on sale in the parish office, located just behind the church on Sparrow Road. The 80-page book retails at €5 and would be of interest to people both within and beyond the parish. All proceeds from the sale of the book go to the parish.
St Nicholas of Myra Church in Dunlavin is over two hundred years old, but Roman Catholic worship has a far longer history in the area. The book briefly outlines the history of the parish before the church was built, and then examines the history of the church building itself. Both clergy and laity contributed to the story of the church,
and the building changed and evolved over time. Many of these alterations are documented in this book. The book is copiously illustrated and the illustrations, many of them evocative of bygone days, add to the story.
The book recounts the establishment and growth of a parish community, which involved a struggle against the odds, often against a backdrop of scant resources and insufficient funds. Despite many obstacles, the parish community built and maintained a church of which the parishioners remain very proud.
Author Chris is a historian and retired secondary school teacher living in Dunlavin. He holds an MA from Maynooth and a PhD from DCU, and has written many other history books, articles and essays.