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The Italian Chapel, Orkney

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title The Italian Chapel, Orkney
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Donald S. Murray
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:240
Dimensions(mm): Height 195,Width 130
Category/GenreBritish and Irish History
History of religion
Roman Catholicism and Roman Catholic churches
ISBN/Barcode 9781780274294
ClassificationsDewey:941.132
Audience
General
Illustrations 24 Plates, color

Publishing Details

Publisher Birlinn General
Imprint Birlinn Ltd
Publication Date 25 May 2017
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

Thousands of visitors go to the Italian Chapel in Orkney every year, witnesses to a series of remarkable acts of transformation. Among these are the Churchill Barriers nearby, straddling the ocean to link a number of Orkney's southernmost islands to its mainland. Constructed to protect Britain's naval fleet in Scapa Flow during World War Two, its builders included a group of Italian soldiers imprisoned in this bleak and windswept part of Scotland. In the course of this, they not only played a part in changing Orkney's way-of-life forever but also transformed a simple Nissen Hut, constructing through their labours a place-of-worship that still stands till this day a remarkable symbol of their identity and faith.The Italian Chapel, Orkney tells the story of the strength and tenacity, laughter and tears of the men who built the Chapel, showing how spirits defeated and despondent during years of exile were lifted by its creation. It does this with its own artistry and grace, using folk-tale and myth to provide a fitting counterpart to the wonder and beauty of the building that inspired it. First edition published by Birlinn as And On This Rock.

Author Biography

Donald S. Murray was born in Ness in the Isle of Lewis. A teacher, author and journalist, his poetry, prose and verse has been shortlisted for both the Saltire Award and Callum Macdonald Memorial Award. Published widely, his work has also appeared in a number of national anthologies and on BBC Radio 4 and Radio Scotland. He is the author of The Guga Hunters, also published by Birlinn. He lives and works in Shetland.

Reviews

'A beautiful book in many ways' * New Shetlander *