The extensive personal library of the former bishop of Kilmore Francis McKiernan, have been presented to the Johnston Library in Cavan. The collection consists of almost 1200 books, of which over a third are religious tomes and another third books on Irish and general history, reflecting the late bishop’s personal interests.
A large number are also concerned with local history, a subject which Bishop McKiernan especially loved.
The bishop’s archives were recently presented by his sister Mary Coomey to Cavan County Manager jack Keyes.
Dr McKiernan, who served as bishop of Kilmore from 1972 to 1998 and died in December 2005, bequeathed his entire book collection to Cavan’s County Library Service for the benefit of the community.
The late bishop – who was a keen historian -was a founder member of Cumann Seanchas Bhreifne when it was launched in 1956.
He also contributed to documenting the history of the Kilmore diocese by his own research and writings and through the encouragement of other local historians with an interest in the subject.
He also took a personal interest in the development of the county library service and even browsed book and auction catalogues on the look-out for historical material which he felt the library should acquire.
The bishop even purchased some items for the library personally when funds were short and the library was offered material which he felt it should acquire.
Bishop McKiernan’s collection, which is comprised of 520 Irish and general history books, 434 religious books, 176 works on local history and 49 journals.
The collection has already been catalogued by Johnston Library staff and individual items will be available to view by members of the public on written request.
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