Collecting Ireland’s History exhibition launch

Join us for the launch of the Collecting Ireland’s History: Libraries and the recovery of lost records exhibition at the Royal Irish Academy Library.

This exhibition forms part of a collaborative, multi-venue, physical and digital exhibition by the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland (VRTI). The VRTI is working to digitally reconstruct (as far as possible) the collections lost in the fire at the Public Records Office of Ireland in 1922. Libraries play a vital role in this work. The RIA Library is one of six founding members of the VRTI’s Library Network. Key documents held in these libraries are making important contributions to the reconstruction work. On dates between June and November 2025, the member libraries will collaborate on an exciting exhibition showcasing their contributions. Physical display cases, and a linking digital exhibition, will highlight the role that research libraries play in securing our written heritage.

The RIA Library’s physical exhibition will feature items from the Stowe/Ashburnham Library, Upton Collection and records of St Anne’s Guild.

If you cannot make the launch, please sign up to one of our short, guided tours of the exhibition taking place in July. More information about the tours at this link.

Agenda:

15:00 Dr Sarah Hendriks in conversation with Barbara McCormack.

Dr Sarah Hendriks is Research Fellow in Early Modern History & Archival Discovery and Library Network Lead at the VRTI.

Barbara McCormack is Academy Librarian at the Royal Irish Academy.

15:30 Launch of Collecting Ireland’s History: Libraries and the recovery of lost records. Attendees may view the exhibition.

Access requirements

Have you got any access requirements that we can assist you with, so that you can fully engage with our event? Please let us know by contacting our access officer in advance of the event, by email: accessofficer@ria.ie