One of the most enjoyable aspects of working with Special Collections is that you often find yourself surprised. You might be searching through the catalogue, or browsing the length of a shelf, when something jumps out and makes you say “oh?”. Such was the case when in the Special Collections store room one day, a … Continue reading “The Book of the Great Sea-Dragon” Rediscovering the Prehistoric Past in Special Collections
UCD Archives holds many memoirs and accounts of individuals involved in the events of the Irish revolution. Blaze away with your little gun: memories of three jails is an account by Maighréad and Siobhán de Paor of their experiences in three prisons, Tralee, Kilmainham and the North Dublin Union in 1923. It was written from … Continue reading Blaze away with your little gun
Donagh MacDonagh (1912-1968) was the son of Tipperaryman Thomas MacDonagh (1878-1916), Irish poet and playwright, who lectured in English here at UCD. The proud Thomas, according to the poet Anthony Cronin in a review of Donagh’s poetry collection Dublin made me and no little town “could often be seen, kilted and smiling, wheeling baby Don … Continue reading The Donagh MacDonagh ‘Ireland is Singing’ Ballad Collection
Welcome to the second blog post on the art of the printer's mark. Let's begin with a refresher on what a printer’s mark, or device, is - a printer’s device refers to an identifying mark which can be found inside a book, either on the title page, the colophon, or occasionally at the end of … Continue reading Delightful Devices: the art of the printer’s mark (take two!)
The Papers of Dermot Nally consist of 36 boxes of material deposited by the Nally family in UCDArchives between 2012 and 2022. The Downing Street Declaration Papers are a series of papers within the larger Dermot NallyCollection. The series amounts to one box of papers relating to talks between the UK and IrishGovernments that culminated … Continue reading Downing Street Declaration
As the month of January draws to a close, we are fast approaching Saint Bridget’s Day on 1st February, which in Irish tradition marks the first day of spring. It is around this time of year that the calving season begins, and Saint Bridget herself is considered the patron saint of cattle in Irish tradition. … Continue reading Traditions of The Glas Gaibhneach in The National Folklore Collection
On the 10 October 1925, an advertisement in the Irish Times gave notice of an upcoming sale at Bennett & Son Auctioneers and Valuers, 6 Upper Ormond Quay, Dublin. Under the auctioneer’s hammer was ‘A highly important and valuable collection of works of art moved from Carton Co. Kildare…including – 8,000 ounces of silver plate…a … Continue reading Country House to Special Collections: Rediscovering Books from Carton
Félire Oénguso, or, The Martyrology of Óengus (UCD-OFM Ms A7) is a register of saints and their feast days. It is one of the series of Irish language “A” manuscripts transferred to UCD Archives by the Irish Franciscans under the terms of the UCD-OFM Partnership Agreement. It is available to view online on the Irish … Continue reading The Twelve Days of Christmas
Ní haon rud beag é céad bliain d’aois a bhaint amach agus cé gur bhailigh Coimisiún Béaloideasa Éireann cuid mhór ó lucht na seanaoise, is mór an rud é fós aois an chéid a fheiceáil i measc aois na bhfaisnéiseoirí. Sin a bhí i gceist le Síle Bean Uí Shíothcháin ó Ghleann Cotáin, Co. Chiarraí, … Continue reading Go Maire Tú an Céad!
In a recent article for the Irish Times, Rosita Boland highlighted some of the menus for dinner dances and other special functions attended by her parents in the period 1960 – 1983. Although many of us have been to formal dinners (and know the well-rehearsed ‘beef or salmon’ jokes that crop up during wedding season) … Continue reading Food for Thought: Fast and Fine Dining in UCD Special Collections