Bible Society Ireland is committed to enabling everyone access to the living words of Scripture, in Ireland and beyond. BSI undertakes a range of activities to achieve this vision, from meaningful Bible engagement to supporting Bible translation, publishing and much more. Come to one of our free lectures or online events, sign-up for more regular updates or email info@nbsi.ie to stay in touch.
Bible Engagement
Our Bible engagement activities are centered around the idea that when we study together, the eternal beauty of the Biblical text comes to the surface and those deep questions with which we wrestle find a new lens through the kaleidoscope of Scripture.
Read More About Bible Engagement
We offer a variety of in-person retreats, online seminars and workshops, including Lent and Advent courses, Introduction to Biblical Hebrew, or study sessions on the Psalms. Each year we host our annual Bedell-Boyle lecture, which has welcomed prolific speakers in recent years including Helen Bond (Edinburgh) and John Barton (Oxford), and Malcolm Guite (Cambridge). Under the Tree offers a unique opportunity to gather outside and immerse oneself in both nature and Scripture. Our Bible Society summer outing allows us to meet in-person in a less formal setting while exploring Biblical themes – last year we gathered at the National Gallery of Ireland and this year we will meet at the Botanic Gardens to explore Biblical plants.
Ecumenical Bible Week
EBW is a week-long venture, which affords the opportunity to gather with friends old and new, around a Biblical theme. Each day hosts a discussion panel or a Symposium or a prayer session, delivered in-person or online. Now in its 12th year, previous themes have included, “Mercy and truth are met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other” Psalm 85:10, Peace and Justice in a Troubled World” (2024). Stay tuned for EBW 2025.
Irish Bible Project
For the first time in translation history, making the Bible available to all is a realistic goal, which makes Bible translation a defining challenge for our generation. Along with other Bible Societies, we hope that by 2033: 95% of the global population will have access to a full Bible in their preferred language. 99.96% of the global population will have access to a New Testament. 100% of the global population will have access to at least some portion of Scripture.
The Bible In Irish
The history of the Bible in Irish begins 1600 years ago in the 5th century AD, when Ireland was undergoing vast changes as it began to transition from Druidism to Christianity. However, as the Biblical manuscripts were preserved and illuminated by monks, Latin was the sacred language of choice, and the oldest Biblical manuscripts from the island of Ireland include the Cathach of Columcille, the Book of Kells and the Faddan More Psalter.
Read More About the History of The Bible in Irish
In the 17th century, Bishop William Bedell was instrumental in the first translations of the Bible in Irish, making it available to the Irish in a more accessible way for the first time in history. Prior to this, re-tellings of Bible stories in Irish was more common, and an example can be found in the Saltair na Rann (“Psalter of Quatrains”) composed in Middle Irish, which dates from the 10th century AD.
At Bible Society Ireland, we believe language communicates more than just words. It communicates the essence of a people, and ideas and concepts which sometimes resist translation. This is why we are partnering with two other organisations (Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise and Cumann na Saggart) to reprint the Bible in Irish. This project has a wider scope than just printing the Bible – an audio version and a Irish/English diglot are planned also.
Meanwhile to freely access a plethora of Irish Bible translations online, check out the Irish Bible App, and The History of the Bible in Irish: from Manuscript Era to Digital Download, by John Duffy (2013).
Supporting Bible Distribution & Translation
Bibles in India – Dr. Graham’s Homes: Through the Bible Society of India, we were able to sponsor the purchase and distribution of 200 Bibles for the children in the residential boarding houses on the Homes campus, in Kalimpong, India. Located on the border of Nepal in north east India, the Homes was founded by Rev. John Anderson Graham in 1900 for disadvantaged and abandoned children of the tea gardens.
Read More About Bible Distribution
We have a small number of Polish, Ukrainian, French, Chinese and English Bibles available. Email info@nbsi.ie to enquire about a Bible translation or where to buy a Bible. We are conscious that with the closure of many bookshops and Bible bookshops, including our own beloved premises Bestseller, in recent years it has become more challenging to access physical Bibles. Strategic thinking about how we can best enable folks to access Scriptures easily are underway, and we are always delighted with any questions about translations or types of Bibles, so please do get in touch.
Prayers Updates
We are one Bible Society in the Republic of Ireland but we are connected into a global Fellowship in over 240 countries and territories. This interconnection means we seek to uplift our sisters and brothers as they face a variety of different challenges while continuing to live out the United Bible Societies mandate of ‘The Bible for Everyone’.
Read Our Bible Society Prayer Points
This summer we are particularly praying the Bible Society of Myanmar, as they face the aftermath of the recent earthquake which directly killed almost 5500, injuring and displacing many many more. We also remember the Haitian Bible Society, which faces ongoing violence on a daily basis.
Over the past number of years we have developed a close friendship with the staff at Bible Society Lebanon, based in Beirut. Facing what is termed as a ‘polycrisis’, we have committed our financial and prayerful support over the coming months. If you would like to make a donation for the Bible Society in Lebanon specifically, click here.
The Bible for Everyone.
Pray with us – We are one Bible Society in the Republic of Ireland but we are connected into a global Fellowship in over 240 countries and territories. This interconnection means we seek to uplift our sisters and brothers as they face a variety of different challenges while continuing to live out the United Bible Societies mandate of ‘The Bible for Everyone’.