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.