Hymns for the Saints of the Dioceses of Ireland
Published January 2026
The saints of Ireland form a luminous thread woven through the life and memory of the Church. Their names—preserved in the Irish Book of Common Prayer (2004) and honoured in local tradition—stand within a lineage shaped by careful scholarship and pastoral devotion.
A Living Cloud of Irish Witnesses is a new collection of 41 hymns that arises from a deep love for these ancient men and women. Their courage, creativity, and missionary zeal helped shape Christian communities at home and throughout Europe. Their landscapes remain our landscapes; their wells still spring clear; and their stories continue to echo in our own modern longings for holiness, justice, and compassion.
Standing in Tradition
This collection stands in the slipstream of those who have spent a lifetime gathering the stories of Irish commemorations. It honours the foundational work of:
- Bishop George Otto Simms and his early gathering of Irish saints.
- The Revd Brian Mayne, whose expanded work enriched our calendars.
- The Revd Canon Michael Kennedy, and the liturgical richness he offered the Church.
These hymns are a 21st-century contribution to that same storytelling tradition—offered in gratitude for the saints who shaped our dioceses and in hope for the Church that continues their work today.
Inside the Collection
Written over several years and brought together for the first time, these 41 hymn texts explore:
- Diocesan Patrons: Hymns dedicated to the foundational figures of the Irish Church.
- Missionary Zeal: Reflecting on those who carried the Gospel far beyond our shores.
- The Celtic Spirit: Weaving the natural world—the wells, the hills, and the coasts—into the language of prayer.
- A Future Faith: Trusting that these ancient witnesses still have the power to inspire faith in our current age.
“The saints are not distant statues in a cathedral; they are the people who walked these same muddy tracks and looked out over these same grey seas, searching for the same Christ we seek today.”
Order Your Copy
A Living Cloud of Irish Witnesses is available now in a high-quality edition via Lulu.
- Price: Varies by location and currency.
- Format: Paperback
- Released: January 2026
Explore More
If you find nourishment in these hymns, you may also enjoy A Pilgrim’s Psalter of Earth and Light, which explores the Psalms through a similar Irish lens.
Michael McFarland Campbell 