A Case for History: The Red Book of Ossory at St Canice’s Cathedral

A Manuscript Comes Home

In summer last year, Darac had the privilege of designing and installing a bespoke freestanding open-base display case for the first ever public exhibition of the Red Book of Ossory — a remarkable 700-year-old manuscript, created in the very location where it now returns: St Canice’s Cathedral in Kilkenny.

The significance of the setting cannot be overstated. The Red Book was written here in the 14th century under the direction of Bishop Richard de Ledrede, and now, centuries later, the cathedral has become the backdrop for its long-overdue debut to the public.

Displaying a manuscript of such rarity and fragility brings serious conservation responsibilities. Written on vellum, the Red Book is highly sensitive to humidity fluctuations and UV exposure. To ensure the manuscript’s safety, Darac designed a case with a passive humidity control system and UV-filtering glass, protecting the book from environmental risks without the need for costly active systems.

As with all of our showcases, chemical stability was paramount. The case was constructed entirely from metal, glass, and museum-grade silicone — all inert materials that ensure no off-gassing or long-term damage to the contents. The result is a clean, unobtrusive, and highly protective environment that lets the artefact take centre stage.

Thanks to modern materials and precision engineering, Darac was able to ensure this piece of Irish cultural heritage could not only be preserved, but displayed with confidence — in the very place where its story began.