Faithful reproduction of a 14th-Century manuscript unveiled in Kilkenny

A meticulously handcrafted replica of the 14th-century manuscript, The Red Book of Ossory, has gone on display at St Canice’s Cathedral and Round Tower, Kilkenny.

The original volume, which has been on public view for a year, will be archived at the Representative Church Body (RCB) Library for a conservation ‘rest’.

The model has been meticulously reproduced by manuscript cnservator, Dr John Gillis, and calligrapher and historian Timothy O’Neill for the exhibition exploring Medieval Kilkenny through the lens of Bishop Richard Ledrede, who wrote the book 700 years ago. In 1324, he famously accused noblewoman Alice Kyteler of witchcraft and heresy, which led to the first witch trials in Ireland.
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The manuscript contains historical records. Four pages are outlined in the exhibit, including the earliest recorded recipe for distilling Aqua Vitae (whiskey), a letter from King Edward III, an early provision of the Magna Carta, and poems and festive songs composed by Ledrede.

“I’m trying to represent The Red Book in its finest form, if you like. To replicate it in what they would have intended as the end product. I’m not trying to do a ‘warts-and-all’ type of thing.” Gillis explained.

Creating the replica took five months. It involved sourcing sheepskin as per the original, quarter-sawn oak for the cover, from a wind-felled tree in Glenstall Abbey. It consists of seven-quires (parchment gatherings). The text block and end bands were sewn around alum-tawds (treated raw hide) supports with linen, and were oversewn with decorative blue and red skill threads.

“There have been a few technical issues, things I’ve had to work out that are not typical of medieval structures, and so I’ve had to make models of the model, almost, to overcome the technical hitches,” according to the Conservator.

“The one thing it has to be is red!” he laughs. “There’s no point having a Red Book of Ossory that isn’t red. So even the dyeing process was quite complex for a number of reasons. The likelihood is that the original dye is organic. Madder root would be the likely source. Now, the issue with madder, as is visible on the book itself, is that it fades badly and quickly. So I avoided that.”

Dean of Ossory, the Very Revd Stephen Farrell, said, “The Red Book is part of the Cathedral’s story and of Kilkenny’s story. We are told that less than two per cent of Irish medieval manuscripts survive. The model created by John and Tim allows us to share that heritage openly and safely, ensuring the original can endure for future generations. We hope visitors will come and experience not only the text, but the extraordinary craft that has gone into recreating it.”

The Red Book replica is on loan from the RCB library, and the project was made possible through their support. The Red Book of Ossory replica and exhibition is open from Friday, November 7, at St Canice’s Cathedral and Round Tower. A series of talks, workshops and a school’s programme will accompany the exhibit over the next twelve months. The Red Book exhibition is free with entry, open daily from 10 am, for more see: www.stcanicescathedral.ie