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  AN TEARMANN – SACRED SPACE IN EVERYDAY SPACE

The long awaited “Quiet Room” in Kilkenny College was dedicated by the Bishop, the Rt Revd Michael Burrows on Thursday 4th December 2008.  This had been a project in the minds during the terms of office of two former headmasters: Mr Sam McClure and the Revd Canon Jack Black.  As the Bishop opened service the assembled company remembered the current headmaster Mr Philip Gray and prayed for his continued recovery.  Present were members of the Board of Governors, the acting headmaster Mr Aubrey O’Keeffe, members of staff, representatives from the local churches, the Chairperson of the Parents’ Association Mr John Glynn, representatives from the Past Pupils’ Association, the members of the student council and the Diocesan Communications Officer Mr Herbie Sharman.  After bidding the assembly to enter the Room and a Greeting from the Bishop, the Service proceeded with the Senior Choir singing the Norwegian carol “Over the Hills”, appropriate to Advent, thinking of the coming of Jesus, uniting the beginning of his life with his destiny.

In his words Bishop Burrows pointed out that this place, “An Tearmann” is to be set  apart and to be always a special place, of prayer and spirituality and joy in the life of the College.  He commended all those who had made this possible: the Board, the Parents’ Association and the Headmaster.  It is hoped that this will be a place of rich variety in terms of expressions of prayer, worship, faith, silence and peace. It is not in the conventional a “chapel” and therefore it was important to give it an appropriate name and one that did not carry “baggage”.  To find a suitably distinctive title it is often useful to return to the first national language and here was found this word, harking back to monastic times and which indicates a place set apart as a holy place, a prayer space, a distinctive place.  In early times the “ Tearmann” was the holy (piece of) land.  It was usually just an area that was modestly surrounded by a ditch rather than a wall or doors.  It was distinctive but not separate and had easy access and into which all could step.  Sacred space in the midst of everyday space and which is ingeniously captured by the word “Tearmann”.

The Bishop gave a modern example where recently on holiday in Croatia he found an open air service which took place in such a space and which was separated merely by one layer of brick.

Here in Kilkenny College practical limitations prevent this new space from being similarly separated within the campus, but by choosing this name it is indicating that it is as connected as possible to the life of the school while, being special within it, distinctive yet accessible, magnetic yet never repelling, peaceful but not restrictive, holy but earthed in reality.  Not only will it be a place of words but also a sanctuary of silence and with that in mind the Bishop concluded by inviting the congregation to contemplate and pray in for a few moments in silence.

The Bishop made the formal dedication and read and signed the document:

“The Board of Kilkenny College acknowledge the generous gifts of many people who have kindly provided the funds and means by which this room becomes a place of prayer, peace, worship and contemplation of the Glory of God. A Place where God’s Word is read and taught and where his sacraments are celebrated. This room is to be named “An Tearmann” from this time forth. Mindful of the needs of the students, staff and the families of this College now and always into the future. Mindful also of the Love of Almighty God shown to all in Jesus Christ, we, Michael, by divine permission of Bishop of Cashel & Ossory do now consecrate, dedicate  and set apart for all ordinary use this room “An Tearmann”, and all that has been and will be provided within it forever. May Almighty God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Sprit bless, sanctify and prosper all that is done and undertaken in this “seomra”  to his greater Glory for the good of this College and his Church. Given under our hands of the episcopal seal of this fourth day of December in the Year of Our Lord two thousand and eight and and of our Consecration the third - signed Michael, Cashel & Ossory.

A reading from St Matthew was taken by Mr O’Keeffe and special prayers were led by the Bishop, the Church of Ireland Dean of Ossory the Very Revd Norman Lynas, the Revd Mark Forsyth from the Methodist Church and the Revd David Moore of the Presbyterian Church.

Members of the students’ council brought forward symbols to the round table specially made by sixth year Alan Meredith. Jordan Quinn (I) a bible, the Word of God; Ethan Moynan (I) water, the sign  and instrument of baptism; Aoife Kelly (II) bread ; Charles Burgess (III): a lighted candle, symbol of the shedding of darkness; James Connolly (IV): wine; Mark Abraham (V) a prayer book: Jane Honner (VI): a cloth, symbolising the table of the Last Supper.  Also present was David Wilson (VI).

After the sharing of the Peace, the Service concluded with a form of dialogue prayer from the Iona Community and as the congregation made their way for refreshment the Room began its new role as Mr Trevor Garrett moved in with his class for contemplation in An Tearmann.