 |
|
            
|
 |
 |
Clan Currie Society To Host Fundraiser For The Society Of Friends Of Dunkeld Cathedral Event Inspired by the Generosity of the Late Sir Donald Currie The Clan Currie Society has announced that they will present a special sneak preview of their documentary film, “The Crafter’s Song” on Friday, May 14, 2004 at the Birnam House Hotel in Birnam, Scotland. The program will commence at 8PM. Proceeds from the evening will be donated to the Society of Friends of Dunkeld Cathedral in honour of the late Sir Donald Currie of Garth and Glen Lyon who financed the refurbishment of the Cathedral in 1908. The film, the first documentary on National Tartan Day, features the work of four Scottish craft workers, including master bagpipe maker Hamish Moore from nearby Dunkeld. Also appearing in the film are Colin Adamson, a violin crafter from Edinburgh, Robert McBain, a kiltmaker from the Keith Kilt School, and Wilma Couper, a knitter from the Shetland Islands. The film was produced in the United States by the Clan Currie Society, with special thanks to the National Museums of Scotland, the Scottish Arts Council, and VisitScotland. The film had its US premiere at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum as part of the 2004 National Tartan Day events. The Society hopes to stage the film’s UK premiere as part of the 58th Annual Edinburgh International Film Festival this August. Commenting on the preview screening, Robert Currie, president of the Clan Currie Society said, “We are absolutely thrilled to be playing a role in the upkeep and preservation of this historic Cathedral. I had the great pleasure of visiting Dunkeld Cathedral in 2001 and was awestruck at the beauty and history of the site. When I learned of Sir Donald Currie’s great generosity in restoring the Cathedral, I knew that our family society would someday return to follow in his footsteps, if only in a small way.” For complete details on the evening, contact Ms. Shirley Walker at +01350 727755 in the UK or in the US by calling the Clan Currie Society at (908) 273-3509.
About Dunkeld Cathedral Dunkeld Cathedral lies on the north bank of the River Tay near the centre
of the village of Dunkeld. The Cathedral is a building of two very distinct
halves. Its east end is a rather attractive parish church; its west end,
apart from the bell tower and chapter house, a roofless ruin with a grassy
carpet. The Cathedral one sees today shows both Gothic and Norman influence having being built in stages over a period of nearly 250 years between 1260 and 1501. The restored choir is the oldest part or the original church, having been completed in 1350. It contains some of the original red stone in its east gable. The Cathedral is dedicated to St. Columba. It’s said that after
their journey from Iona his relics were buried under the chancel steps
to keep them safe. The dove motif, symbolic of St. Columba's name, can
be seen in both the East Window and on the specially woven chancel carpet. Worse was to come on 21 August 1689, during the first Jacobite uprising. The Jacobites, fresh from their victory at Killiecrankie to the north, attacked Government forces based in Dunkeld. During the course of a long, bloody and largely inconclusive battle, much of the town, including the repaired parts of the Cathedral, were burned down. The Cathedral has since seen a succession of repairs, thanks largely to the generosity of shipping magnate, Sir Donald Currie of Garth and Glen Lyon. In 1908, Sir Donald provided the necessary funds to restore the choir to its original form. The impressive Great East Window, depicting St. Columba’s arrival in Scotland from Ireland was added at this time. It depicts the Christian virtues of Fortitude, Charity, Prudence, Justice, Faith, Hope, Temperance and Patience below which there are five shepherds gazing at the angelic host. The chapter house, under the bell tower at the west end of the Cathedral contains a museum with a graphic display outlining the history of the church and its community from Celtic times to the present day. Other interesting exhibits include the Apostles' Stone, a fine 9th Century example of Pictish art, the Cross Slab from the 9th Century monastery, the Old Bell, removed during the 1975 restoration and marble statues of the 4th Duke of Atholl and Sir Donald Currie the 1908 restoration benefactor. About The Friends of Dunkeld Cathedral The Society of Friends of Dunkeld Cathedral was founded to stimulate interest in the Cathedral as a part of the history of Scotland. The organization is comprised of people who care about the history, the place and the community. The objectives of the Society of Friends include “the preservation of the fittings and furnishing of the Choir and stimulation of interest in the Cathedral”. The Society accomplishes these objectives through a close working relationship with the Church to establish needs which could be met by Fundraising. These projects might be decorative or functional. Other activities of the Society include, leading guided tours during the summer months, providing a children’s educational packet, and maintaining the Cathedral’s museum and archive. Visit the Dunkeld Cathedral website at www.dunkeldcathedral.org.uk. About The Clan Currie Society The Clan Currie Society, an American-based, international, non-profit cultural and educational organization, is active in preserving and promoting highland heritage at Scottish Games, ethnic festivals, as well as community groups and classrooms. The Society has over 2,000 members worldwide that gather via the Society’s website (www.clancurrie.com). The organization started as a family name society in Glasgow, Scotland in 1959 to further the knowledge and appreciation of the MacMhuirich bardic dynasty. The MacMhuirichs (the Gaelic name for Currie) served for over 700 years as professional poets to the Lords of the Isles and later to the MacDonalds of Clanranald. The Red Book of Clanranald, one of Gaelic Scotland’s literary treasures, was penned by successive generations of the MacMhuirich family. Today, the organization is a leading American-based foundation that focuses on celebrating the Scots-Gaelic origins of the Currie name as well as producing outstanding programs and events to honour Scotland’s rich culture and ancestry.
Home •
History of the Clan • Clan
Leadership • The Currie Tartan •
Clan News clancurrie@mail.com
|
