St. Borchill is a now obscure Irish saint. She must have been better known 250 years ago as the church at Dysart in Co Louth (above) bears her name. The church was built in 1766, early as anti-Catholic legislation had not yet started to be repealed. The site is carved out of a corner of the Barmeath estate and must have been a gift from my family. It is an austere but handsome building and still in use.
Growing up at Barmeath I remember the Angelus being rung from its bell twice daily: at noon and 6.00 pm. Strictly speaking there should be a peal at 6.00 am but I think this was not observed. The Angelus is not a call to prayer but the similarity to the Adhan called by a muezzin from the minaret of a mosque is perhaps something that should bring us closer to Muslims and an understanding of their faith.
Another 250th birthday is being celebrated this year by Christie’s in King Street, London. That is the King Street in St. James’s, not to be confused with the one in Hammersmith. They have brought together works that they have sold in an exhibition called Defining British Art, The Loan Exhibition. It is free, it is on until 15th July and I recommend a visit. The main attraction is that almost everything is on loan from private collections, so it is an unprecedented opportunity to see work by Holbein and Hockney, Reynolds and Riley, Burne-Jones and Bacon; in fact there is everything from Auerbach to Wright of Derby (annoyingly nothing by Zoffany) and usually it is hanging on the walls of collectors who may not invite you into their houses. It is not a big show but it is immensely enjoyable. Just watch out for the steps which are hard to see, if you don’t want to come a purler. Here is a Caneletto that is in the exhibition: The Old Horse Guards from St James’s Park. It belongs to The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and is usually on loan to Tate Britain.
250 years ago may seem a long time but if you are an ocean quahog you will be in the prime of life when you celebrate your birthday with another 250 years to look forward to.