On 13 Nov, 12:57, Graham Milne <grahammilne...@btinternet.com> wrote: > On 13 Nov, 10:25, Michael Merrigan <GSI.Secret...@familyhistory.ie> > wrote: > > > > > > > On Nov 13, 5:32 am, Greg <scoti...@comcast.net> wrote: > > > > On 10 Nov, 01:15, Michael Merrigan <GSI.Secret...@familyhistory.ie> > > > wrote: > > > > > A Chairde, > > > > > The November 2009 issue of 'Ireland's Genealogical Gazette' the > > > > monthly newsletter of the Genealogical Society of Ireland is available > > > > to view by clicking on the following link:-http://www.docstoc.com/docs/15547176/ > > > > > Featured in this issue: > > > > > + The Last Chief Herald of Ireland? > > > > + Honorary Herald Appointed > > > > + Early Gaelic Sources & Literature  (www.fourcourtspress.ie) > > > > + Population Decline or 'Ethnic Cleansing'? > > > > + GSI Website & Archival Services > > > > + A Fitting Tribute > > > > + James Scannell Reports... > > > > +++ Vanishing Names > > > > +++ Dublin's Viking Wall > > > > +++ National Library Book > > > > +++ Death of Werner Heubeck > > > > + Sources (launch ofhttp://sources.nli.ie) > > > > + GSI Lectures & News > > > > + Presidential Inauguration > > > > + Annual Review of the Membership Packages > > > > + Diary Dates > > > > + Celebrating Nineteen Years (2) > > > > + Arms & Emblems Register > > > > + Guild of One-Name Studies > > > > + GSI Journal > > > > > Regards, > > > > > Michael Merrigan > > > > General Secretary > > > > Genealogical Society of Irelandwww.familyhistory.ie > > > > I found the article "The Last Chief Herald of Ireland?" to be > > > something of an unfortunate lid being placed on the OCHI.  If, as you > > > have said Michael, Ireland has an old respect for heraldry, it just > > > doesn't seem right then that the country would have allowed this and > > > would have done something long ago to protect the office.  Arms are > > > indeed a money making venture for the country / the National Library > > > and it has a lot to do with Irish pride (I would think) and genealogy. > > > > Scotland is undergoing hard times these days as well . . . > > > > I really hate to see it going this way.  Like the article however, I > > > think that if things keep up, the OCHI will cease to exist. > > > Greg, a Chara, > > > The Genealogical Society of Ireland has been endeavouring to highlight > > the absolute necessity for legislative reform of the State's delivery > > of heraldic services since 2000 and indeed, published the 'heads of a > > bill' to achieve such in 2002.  This culminated in the publication of > > the Genealogy & Heraldry Bill, 2006. > > > Unfortunately, the 'office' of the Chief Herald of Ireland and certain > > vested interests were totally opposed to the Bill and viewed its > > proposed structures and regulatory regime as unnecessary. In their > > view, and that of their supporters in Ireland and abroard, the status > > quo was to be defended irrespective of the difficulties encountered by > > the 'office' of the Chief Herald during the last two decades of the > > 20th century. > > > One simple aspect of the Bill would have ensured the appointment of a > > Deputy Chief Herald to undertake the duties and powers of the Chief > > Herald of Ireland in his/her absence or in the current circumstances. > > This would have allowed for a continuance of the delivery of heraldic > > services and provided heraldry with a secure future as an important > > part of the cultural heritage of our Republic. > > > Currently Senator Alex White's 'National Cultural Institutions > > (Amendment) Bill, 2008' is on the Order Paper of Seanad Éireann (Irish > > Senate), however, stated government policy on the amalgamation of the > > National Library, National Archives and the Irish Manuscript > > Commission will allow the Minister to place any resolution of the > > 'heraldic mess' on the very, very long finger indeed. > > > It is unfortunate that the very people who sought to defend the status > > quo at all costs may have actually achieved just that with the > > possible demise of the State's heraldic services.  This, no doubt, > > gives rise to many questions. > > > Regards, > > > Michael Merrigan > > General Secretary > > Genealogical Society of Irelandwww.familyhistory.ie-Hide quoted text - > > > - Show quoted text - > > But I notice that the Genealogical Society of Ireland has appointed a > herald and is setting up a register of arms. I think you must step > into the breach. Well done.- Hide quoted text - > > - Show quoted text - PS Get all the authentic Irish chiefs/nobs to support you and that will give it sufficient authority. The ancient Irish earls undoubtedly had the right to grant arms and to create barons and knights. Why not get it going again? That would be great fun! Who would be best qualified to do this? Duke of Leinster? Stuff the bolshy plebs in your parliament I say! PPS The Countess of Sutherland created a baron not that long ago (1990s) so if she can do it I am sure some Irish nobs can!