During a trip to Dublin just before Christmas, I spent some time in the city’s two Protestant cathedrals, St Patrick’s and Christ Church. Both are well worth a visit as they contain many interesting historical artefacts which reflect Ireland’s Protestant and British heritage. The Duke of Schomberg, King William’s Commander-in-Chief who was killed at the Battle of the Boyne, is buried in St Patrick’s cathedral. St Patrick’s also houses a Huguenot bell and a fine collection of well-preserved British flags. Christ Church has a most interesting crypt which displays a fine set of communion silverware, presented by King William III after his victory at the Boyne. I was, however, disappointed to note that the cathedral shop in St Patrick’s had a variety of rosary beads for sale. The Rosary and the beads associated with it is an invention of Popery and, whilst it has its advocates in the Anglo-Catholic tradition, it is an entirely unbiblical concept which has no place in Protestant worship or practice. Although St Patrick’s can trace its roots back to well beyond medieval times, it is a Protestant church. Its website states, “Saint Patrick's is not, however, a museum, but a living building with services held every day of the year”. I have written to the Dean of St Patrick’s to register our concern about this matter and to request that the rosary beads are withdrawn from sale in the cathedral shop.

The Dean, Very Rev Dr Robert MacCarthy,  replied to my letter on 14 January 2008 as follows: "The reason we sell rosary beads is because the majority of visitors are not Anglicans and if these visual aids are of use to them so much the better. I'm afraid that I don't share your view of Protestantism".