HERALDRY FOR ALL

.
.
A Chairde,

The following is the Editorial in the August 2010 issue of ‘Ireland’s Genealogical Gazette’ – the monthly newsletter of the Genealogical Society of Ireland. The Society is Ireland’s most active and innovative genealogical and heraldic organisation. For further information see: http://www.familyhistory.ie/

HERALDRY FOR ALL –

Possible and Profitable

With all the new initiatives being considered by the Government to stimulate a greater awareness of Ireland and its heritage amongst the estimated 70 million people of Irish descent worldwide, heraldry seems to have been overlooked. Why?

Coats of Arms are among the most popular retail items in Irish themed stores around the world, however, most of these popular ‘Irish’ souvenirs are manufactured overseas mostly in Asia and often with dubious claims to authenticity in design. Traditionally, coats of arms are personal to the individual as they heraldically belong to specific families, not to surnames as sold in these souvenir stores.

But if you want the genuine article you must make a personal application to the Chief Herald and currently pay a sizeable sum for the privilege – so most stick with the fake. Back in 2006 the Genealogy and Heraldry Bill introduced in Seanad Éireann by Senator Brendan Ryan promised heraldry for all – an equitable, affordable, cost effective and, surprisingly for some, a profitable national heraldic service.

This Bill didn’t proceed to enactment, however, the recent appointment of the much respected professional librarian, Colette O’Flaherty, as Keeper of Manuscripts and Chief Herald of Ireland could and should usher in a new and exciting era of fundamental change at the ‘office’ of the Chief Herald of Ireland.

Gone for good are the fanciful and somewhat ridiculous notions of the past of exclusivity and pretensions based on anachronistic and non-existent prerogatives. Time has now come to reform, modernise and, in many ways, to establish a State heraldic service fit for a republic. This new heraldic service could be provided under the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 and indeed, at minimal set-up costs to the National Library.

Currently anyone wishing to obtain a Grant of Arms must have at least €3,300 to splash out on what many would, rather disparagingly, consider a ‘vanity item’. The Grant of Arms is made in the form of Letters Patent with the hand-painted arms and the accompanying text in beautiful calligraphy on vellum. The grant is recorded in the Register of Arms and is a matter of public record.

But with such a price-tag it is doubtful whether commissions during this recessionary period could justify the continuation of such heraldic services. Therefore, rather than see its demise fundamental changes in both the structure and the delivery of Irish heraldic services are urgently required which would greatly broaden its customer base by expanding and developing its products.

What is preventing the Chief Herald from restructuring the delivery of services to meet the clear demand for less expensive, but authentic, Irish heraldic products – is it simply a lingering fanciful notion of exclusivity or what? In our republic, the State’s heraldic services must deliver heritage products and not privileges or dignities as claimed by other heraldic authorities.

Therefore, access to such products should be as universal as reasonably possible. To this end, instead of the elaborate and expensive Letters Patent, a computerised Certificate could be issued with the blazon or description of the Arms granted. The client is then free to engage a heraldic artist to paint the Arms on whatever surface or object they wish.

The costs of producing this type of grant would be considerably less given the massive reduction in labour costs and with the ‘out sourcing’ of the consultative work bringing authentic heraldry within reach of most individuals. To capture the enormous potential of such commissions from around the world, the 2006 Bill proposed the setting up of licensed heraldic agents who will do much of the consultative work currently carried out by the ‘office’ of the Chief Herald. Naturally, it would be expected that competition between such agencies will dramatically reduce rates payable for heraldic advice and art work.

More importantly it repatriates a part of our heritage industries and thus encouraging indigenous manufacturing and craft activity in a sector almost devastated by the recession. ‘Heraldry for All’ is possible and, in time, profitable. So why not?

.

.
'Ireland's Genealogical Gazette' (August 2010)

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/49373700/

.

.