UCD LIBRARY CULTURAL HERITAGE COLLECTIONS
Welcome to the UCD Library Cultural Heritage Collections blog. Discover and explore the historical treasures housed within our Archives, Special Collections, National Folklore Collection and Digital Library
Jonathan Swift, author, satirist and clergyman, was born in Ireland to English parents in 1667. While he spent many of the early years of his education and career between both countries, he was appointed Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, in 1714. Swift had hoped for a senior clerical appointment in England, but despite this, …
Provenance in relation to books refers to what is rather grandly called ‘custodial history’; this could be mistaken for the rap sheet of a frequent tenant of Mountjoy rather than a blameless book. At its simplest, provenance refers to the previous owners of the book, from the first purchaser who inscribed his or her name …
With the submission of a copybook of completed material for the Schools’ Collection of the Irish Folklore Commission in 1938, the Principal of St Leonard’s National School, Ballycullane wrote an accompanying letter which read: A chara, My folklore collection herewith. I got it completed just now because my teaching career finishes here directly. Any job …
Continue reading "Mary B. Dunphy, part-time collector from South Wexford"
In the Sound Archive of the National Folklore Collection, we have a wide range of audio material and carriers, from wax cylinders, acetate discs, open reels, to more recent carriers such as MP3s, DATs. Today we'll speak about the wax cylinders we have at the NFC. While most of the collection was recorded by staff …
Continue reading "The start of the Audio Archive at the National Folklore Collection"
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"
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 "
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, …
The beginning of October signals that we are now in the middle of the autumn season and that the long winter nights are drawing in. This is the season to pursue indoor activities and, as Hallowe’en approaches at the end of the month, the season to appreciate the spookier material within the National Folklore Collection, …
Continue reading "Cards and Card-Playing in the National Folklore Collection"
The answer to the riddle above, often quoted as a proverb in the Schools’ Collection, is of course, money. The question of coins, money and finance is a frequent theme across many aspects of folk tradition and the relevant section under ‘Trade and Communication’ in A Handbook of Irish Folklore by Seán Ó Súillebháin lists …
On 15 June 2023, a portion of the Audio Collection held in the National Folklore Collection was launched on dúchas.ie. The recordings now featured on the website were collected throughout Ireland, featuring songs, music and stories in English and Irish. Most of the recordings were made with the help of sound technician Leo Corduff, and …