Book Launch of ‘Irish Covenanters; Politics and Society in the 19th Century.’

By Dr Tim Donachie

This new publication which is the fruit of many years research by the Rev Tim Donachie, received its launch on 29^th November. The event was organised by Dr William Roulston of the Ulster History Foundation and took place in the Ulster Scots Centre at the Corn Exchange, Belfast.

Dr William Roulston introduced the book as being a major contribution to the understanding of religious life in a century of change. Dr Andrew Holmes, who lectures in Presbyterian History at Queen’s University spoke of how, based upon a formidable amount of research, that Dr Donachie has written an excellent book examining the reaction of the Covenanting church to the unsettled period of the 19^th Century with the industrial revolution, the challenges to orthodox Christianity but also a period of religious revival. The Covenanters faced the challenge from mainline Presbyterians who embraced their Reformed confessional past but denied the heart of Covenanter principles.

This very readable and challenging study explains how the Reformed Presbyterians sought to reconcile their principles and identity with the changing times. The book helpfully, for the new reader sets out the origins of Reformed Presbyterians and how they then responded to politics, education and the Home Rule crisis following into the early 20^th Century. Notwithstanding these tests, the Covenanters maintained their principles throughout the period. Dr Holmes stated that ‘this will be the main place where readers go to understand the Covenanters in the 19^th Century.’

This is an essential purchase for anyone interested in the history of the period but also is very helpful to understand the difficulties that Christians face today bearing testimony to Christ in a secular society.

Available from the author or from Covenanter Books £10. www.covenanterbooks.com