This was interesting, found an article in Old Newspapers, referring to Bendel’s Irish Bible, copies were so rare there was only one in each parish, chained to the pulpit. One which belonged to Kilmorich is in the Library at Inverary Castle.
We were grateful to Argyll Archives for find it and letting us see it.
The Bible had been rebound early 1900’s.
William Bendel, Bishop in Ireland, translated from English to Gaelic the books of the old testament. It was published in 1685. Only 500 copies were published, 40 years after Bedel died, there was such opposition to the bible particularly from Protestants as it was thought it was anti government. Bedel felt that Gaelic speakers were missing out and should have their own language used for worship rather than waiting until they could learn English. copies were for Ireland and some for Scotland.
