Work has got under way on the £1 million Cardinal Tomas O Fiaich Memorial Library and Archives in Armagh. The first sod was cut yesterday at a simple ceremony by Mgr Raymond Murray, editor of the Seanchas Ard Mhacha journal of the Armagh Diocesan Historical Society.
The building, which has received a boost from the Lottery's Heritage Fund, is being erected at Sandyhill to the rear of Ara Coeli. It is expected to open on May 8th.
The ground has been donated for the cross-community project by the diocesan authorities and a charitable trust set up. There are plans to create an endowment fund.
In his will, the late cardinal bequeathed all his books, papers, unpublished lectures and articles along with memorabilia covering his life to the historical society.
There will be a display of materials relating to his research work on Irish history and especially his writings on Irish links with Europe and the Irish contribution to the evangelisation of Europe. His lifelong promotion of the Irish language, Celtic spirituality, Irish culture and music and his support for Gaelic games will also feature.
His pride in the See of St Patrick and his interest in every detail of the history of the Archdiocese of Armagh and of the Church in Ireland will be reflected.
Exhibitions on a variety of themes will be mounted from time to time. The archive will also house a genealogical collection with computerised lists compiled from the baptismal registers of all the parishes in the archdiocese.
The archives of several prominent historians, including Micheline Kerney Walsh, former director of Overseas Archives at UCD, will be incorporated.
"The new centre will provide visitors with an opportunity to delve deeper into Armagh's story from Patrick to Tomas. It will richly complement the growing allure of Armagh for the tourist," said Mgr Murray.
"It offers itself as a further contribution to the city's development, particularly as a centre of learning".