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Special Collections and Archives

Special Collections

The Special Collections and Archives library guide which provides information about the contents of our collections and details of how to access and consult material. These collections are open to staff and students, researchers and members of the public.

Special Collections Reading Room

The Special Collections & Archives Reading Room in the John Paul II Library contains the special and historical collections of Maynooth University, including over 8,000 printed works dating from the 15th century onwards, archival collections, calendars, directories and cartographic material. The Reading Room was opened in 2013 following a major extension to the John Paul II Library. 

Special Collections and Archives is a collecting repository that acquires and administers archival collections of private origin. These collections include the papers of academics, writers and other professionals, as well as documents of local interest.

Printed Collection

Print

Special Collections print collection comprise first and limited editions, autographed copies, decoratively bound and illustrated material and facsimiles. Fragile and scare materials are also preserved in the collection. The collections date from 16th to the 20th centuries.  

College Collections 

This is a collection of printed material about Maynooth University and St Patrick’s College Maynooth together with the works of past and present staff. It also contains ephemera such as photographs, news cuttings, posters, and programmes. 

Maps

The collection includes a scarce and detailed 1783 Grand Jury map of Kildare by Lieut. Alexander Taylor. 

Pamphlets

The pamphlet collection is made up of Irish language and Catholic Truth Society pamphlets.

Reading Room

St Canice's Cathedral Collection

This unique collection of early printed books constitutes one of the most important antiquarian book collections in Ireland. Particular highlights include four incunabula (pre-1500 printings) and a Shakespearean Fourth Folio (1685) all of which are under the custodianship of Maynooth University Library following a long-term loan agreement with the Representative Church Body of Ireland in 2014.

 

Archival Sources

Archival Sources contain Calendars of State Papers, Irish Manuscript Commission publications as well as items on microfilm such as the Leinster Papers, the British in Ireland - Police Reports 1892-1924 and the 1641 depositions. These items are for library use only.

Archive Collections

  • Teresa Deevy (1894-1963), Irish playwright
  • Desmond Forristal (1930-2012), Scholar, author and TV producer
  • John Sadlier (1813-56), Irish politician and banker
  • Sean O’Faolain (1900-1991), Irish writer
  • Ken Saro-Wiwa (1941-1995), Nigerian writer and activist
  • Pearse Hutchinson (1927-2012), Irish poet, writer and broadcaster
  • The Wardell Family (1851-1936) Military family involved in the 19th century South African wars and World War I
  • Peadar Ó Laoghaire (1839-1920), Irish language scholar and writer
  • The Borrowes Family (1720-1848), Legal documents relating to the Borrowes family of Gilltown, County Kildare
  • The Graham Family (1781-1959), Legal documents relating to the Graham family, Belfast, wine and spirit merchants
  • The Belmont Mill Archive (1886-1975), business papers of Belmont Mill, County Offaly and private correspondence of its owners, the Perry family.
  • The Hibernian Bible Society (1682-2014), documents relating to the foundation and activities of the Society.
  • The Marquess of Sligo (1809-1841), Letters from Howe Peter Browne, 2nd Marquess of Sligo to his mother Lady Louisa Howe.
  • The Quaker Archive (1769-1829), series of letters between members of the Shackleton, Leadbeater, and Grubb family of Ballitore, County Kildare and Clonmel, County Tipperary.
  • The Bloomfield Map Collections (1836-1840), maps of the estate of the Right honourable Benjamin Lord Baron Bloomfield in County Offaly and County Tipperary.
  • The Niamh Bhreathnach Archive (1993-1997), political speeches, press statements, and newspaper cuttings relating to Bhreathnach's political career.