PICTURES: Dimma's Bookstore in Roscrea celebrates new chapter

Local legend relates that in the 8th Century Saint Crónan asked a monk named Dimma in Roscrea to be the scribe who wrote his holy book - but that it had to be done in one day.

Dimma set to work on this impossible task and copied continuously without a break for any meals and while he worked the sun never set. When Dimma finished, he thought that it had only taken him one day, when in reality it had taken forty. This miracle was attributed to Crónán.

Beside the site of his monastery in Church St, Roscrea’s Dimma was honoured on Saturday when Roscrea native and renowned author Dom Laurence Walsh OSCO officially opened Dimma's Books and Bookstore at the Vincent's SVP shop in Roscrea.

Dom Laurence traced some of the glory of St Cronan’s in stone and manuscript and congratulated all concerned on the wonderful addition to the town.

Dimma's Books is the project of passionate bibliophile and celebrated Roscrea author George Cunningham, which also raises funds for the Roscrea SVP Conference. Pictured above are the three authors, Dom Laurence Walsh, John Feehan and George. Photo: PJ Wright

Tony Brennan acting as MC introduced Con Cunningham, the Conference President, to welcome Dom Laurence. Con was delighted to do so and thanked his brother George for initiating and developing the project over the last year.

“We had a small but quality gathering for the official opening of Dimmas Books and Bookstore”, George Cunningham told the Tribune after the official opening on Saturday and invited everyone to come and visit the shop located in the Vincent's Shop on Church Street and grab a bargain - pictured at the opening are Eddie Murray, Tony Brennan, Pat Bourke, John Feehan, Conty Cunningham, Dom Laurence Walsh, George Cunningham, Michael Bracken, John Lupton and Sean Delaney. Photo: PJ Wright

In his address Dom Laurence thanked Conty and each member of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Roscrea for inviting him to open the expanded bookshop.

“Here in what was the very enclosure of Saint Cronan’s early seventh century Monastery in the magnum civitas, as Cronan’s life puts it, the great town of Roscrea, which of course owes its origin to the Saint”, Dom Laurence said.

Pictured at the official opening of the new extended Dimma's Books are Willie and Maureen Hayes and Francis Maxwell. Photo: PJ Wright

"Here too we have our beautiful Round Tower, with its particularly beautiful east window. It was usual for relics to be displayed in the window of round towers on the local saint’s feast day. But of all Ireland’s round towers ours alone has this window adorned with specially carved stone sides.

"The 31” x 15” (80 x 38 cm) stone on the right has a carving in relief of a celtic cross and a ship, representing Christ and the Church, the Church in rough waters, so often the rough waters of poverty, and Christ in the person of Vincent de Paul, stretching towards them with the assurance: 'It is I, do not be afraid'", Dom Laurence explained.

Pictured at the official opening of the new extended Dimma's Books are several members of the Roscrea Conference of Saint Vincent De Paul with Don Laurence. Pictured are Eddie Murray, John Lupton, Fr Laurence Walsh, Adrianna Cunningham, Conty Cunningham, George Cunningham, Tony Brennan and Sean Delaney. Photo: PJ Wright

"And here in this window the Celtic monks of Roscrea honoured St. Cronan’s feast day each year, with a display of their major relic, their precious copy of the four Gospels, the Book of Dimma, and that in its silver casket, both of which are today in the superb care of the Library of Trinity College, Dublin.

"With that, it is the privilege of another old monk of Roscrea, to declare Dimma's Books open," Dom Laurence said.

Pictured above left is Dom Laurence Walsh OCSO officially opening Dimma's Books in theVincent's St Vincent De Paul Shop in Roscrea. Photo: PJ Wright

George Cunnigham spoke of the evolution of the collections up to the opening, when over 8,000 books are now available for purchase at almost giveaway prices and thanked shop manager Eileen, the wonderful volunteers and conference members for their commitment to helping others.

In particular George thanked Michael Bracken of Copper Beech estate for his continuing help; also Walsh printers (soon to begin a new life under Andrea and Val as Dimma Printing Services at a new premises in Parkmore); and Peadar King who helped with the shelving.

George welcomed Dr John Feehan whose works filled a table on its own; he spoke of a bibliography of John’s publications which he is hoping to publish later on in the year. He thanked Sean Mulrooney of Mulrooney's Gala for sponsoring the reception with delights from their deli.

As this is biodiversity week a table full of nature/bio/eco books was on display with a tantalising offer: buy 3 books and get the cheapest one free. Many did so. Dimmas extended bookstore was off to a great start.