Leighton Library, Dunblane

Scotland's oldest purpose-built independent library founded in 1687

Leighton Library has 1685 first published edition of the entire Bible translated into the Irish language

Added at 07:39 on 30 September 2025

It’s #InternationalTranslationDay
#TranslationDay today, 30 September 2025. Hear Leighton Library Volunteer Guide Alastair MacDonald share about the Leighton Library’s 1685 first published edition of the entire Bible translated into the Irish language. This includes a fresh translation of the New Testament, dated 1681, and a revision of the previously unpublished work of William Bedell (1571-1642), Bishop of Kilmore.

The publication was financed by the natural philosopher Robert Boyle. The Irish type was specially cut for this edition, for distribution in Ireland.

This book in the Leighton Library, though not published until the year after Robert Leighton's death, was apparently part of the original bequest of Robert Leighton to Dunblane, since it was included in Bishop Douglas's manuscript catalogue of 1691; suggesting Robert Leighton had ordered it before he died.

▶️ https://youtu.be/_Difat4iGmA

< Leighton Library has 1671 2nd edition of "The creed of Mr. Hobbes examined; in a feigned conference between him and a student in divinity" by Thomas Tenison