Irish Church Psalter
In 1930 the Association for Promoting Christian Knowledge (APCK), Dublin published the psalms and canticles arranged for chanting. Entitled Irish Church Psalter, this meticulously produced book went through three editions and was used by churches large and small throughout Ireland for over seventy years. ICP includes helpful guidance on using the ‘speech-rhythm’ method for singing Anglican chant, which had become widespread since the 1920s.
Irish-Church-Psalter.pdfThe Coverdale Psalter
The ikonic translation of the Psalter (Book of Psalms) by Myles Coverdale in the Great Bible of 1539-41 was used in all editions of the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) from 1549 to 1662. BCP 1662 continues to be an authorised prayer book of the Church of England. The Church of Ireland retained Coverdale in its 1878 revision of the BCP.
The Church of Ireland 1926 edition of the BCP used a very conservative revision (published in 1916) of Coverdale. BCP 1926 continued to be the authorised prayer book of the Church of Ireland until replaced by the current, 2004 Book, which uses a modern translation, as more fully described on the Psalms Online page.
The translation of the psalter in BCP 1926 continues to be used in the larger cathedrals and by a handful of parish churches that maintain a choral establishment.
Chant Books
The APCK published collections of chants over six editions:
1868: Chants Ancient and Modern, Responses, &c.
1883: Chants Ancient and Modern, Responses, &c., which included biographical details of composers
1894: A reprint of the 1883 publication
1907: Chants and Responses
1925: The Irish Chant Book
1938: The Irish Chant Book, which remained in print until the 1980s