The first Presbyterian service to be held entirely in the Irish language this century took place in Belfast yesterday. The minister at Fitzroy Avenue Church in the university area of south Belfast, the Rev Ken Newall, described it as an historic occasion which would contribute to the "rediscovery of this ancient but living language".
After receiving a round of applause for his opening greeting in Irish, Rev Newall, who explained that he was fluent in Indonesian but not in Irish, stepped aside and the service was conducted by Donegal-based Rev Patricia McBride.
A harpist and two flautists played traditional Irish music throughout, and all the hymns were sung in Irish, the congregation making full use of the specially-printed booklet.
Regular prayer meetings in Irish have been taking place at the church since April in preparation for yesterday's service, which was first suggested by members of the Oireachtas, the annual gathering of Irish speakers, currently holding its centenary celebrations in Belfast. Some 15 people have been attending the meetings, and one of the organisers admitted that Irishspeaking Presbyterians were in short supply.
Dr Bill Boyd, a retired minister who has recently started to learn Irish, delivered the first sermon. He said that while two or three members of the group could speak Irish fluently, others were still learning.
"We don't have the Irish words to pray and so we have to learn them," he said, lapsing into English for the sake of those in the congregation who needed a translation.
Three camera crews took up position at the front of the church to record the image of the Irishspeaking Presbyterian minister in his black gown and white bands, standing high above the congregation but dwarfed by a huge organ behind him. Some in the congregation admitted good-humouredly that they were "Taigs" there to show their support. In fact, the majority of those who filled the church were probably of "the Catholic tradition", judging by the fact that the Lord's Prayer was recited without difficulty despite the lack of a text.
A Church spokesman said the service would remind Presbyterians that Gaelic was also part of their tradition. The first Presbyterians who came to Ireland from Scotland in the 17th century spoke Gaelic and lowland Scots, which later became Ulster Scots. Some members of the Fitzroy congregation have said that they thought it would be more appropriate to have a service in Ulster Scots. Rev Newell said he would be happy to facilitate such a service.