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Visiting the Library

Find out all you need to know before visiting our library.

Library Events

Exhibitions, lectures and events highlighting the library’s rich collections of books, prints, drawings and manuscripts.

Closeup of a shelf of books in the RIA Library.

Library Collections

Discover our unique and distinct historically rich manuscript, archival, photograph and print collections.

Library Blog

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OS Memoir book series on a library shelf.

OS200: Spotlight on the Ordnance Survey Memoirs

This blog is the third and final post in a series that marks 200 years since the first Ordnance Survey of Ireland.

Library Blog

Grey archival boxes on a library shelf labelled as Ordnance Survey Letters with the relevant county.

OS200: Spotlight on the Ordnance Survey Letters

This blog is the second in a series that marks 200 years since the first Ordnance Survey of Ireland.

Library Blog

Leather bound volumes shelved in a map case with county names embossed on the spines.

OS200: Spotlight on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey maps

This blog is the first in a series that marks 200 years since the first Ordnance Survey of Ireland.

Library Blog

Collage composed of a golden eagle feather with a handwritten label attached and an addressed lavender-coloured envelope.

The Birds of Ireland

For this instalment of the Library blog, we are introducing the Ussher Bird Notes Collection and are sharing some very exciting news with our readers…

Library Blog

Search our collections

From the largest collection of Irish manuscripts in the world to 100 years of Irish stamps.

Discover a wealth of information in our searchable database.

Explore our collections

Library News

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Stamps

New acquisition: An Post Collection

The RIA Library is pleased to announce the donation of an important collection of records, books and artefacts from the Museum & Archive of An…

Library

Guild of St Anne Collection

Medieval deeds in the Guild of St Anne Collection

The RIA Library and the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland announce a new project to provide enhanced online access to a collection of deeds that…

Library

1. Logo of Irish History Online displayed prominently against a blue background

New Irish History Online (IHO) website launched

The Royal Irish Academy Library is delighted to announce the newly updated IHO website.

Library

Delegates at CONUL Erasmus 2024 outside Academy House.

CONUL Erasmus Library Staff Mobility week, 24-28 June 2024

Read about the Library’s participation in the Consortium of National and University Libraries (CONUL) Erasmus programme.

Library

Listen to our latest lectures and events

Irish History Online logo

Irish History Online (IHO)

Irish History Online is the national bibliography of Irish history. It is part of a European network of national historical bibliographies from fourteen countries. Irish History Online is an authoritative listing (in progress) of what has been written about Irish history from earliest times to the present.

A page from the Cathach

The Cathach of St. Columba

The Library is pleased to share the new Turning the Pages solution for one of the oldest surviving manuscripts in Ireland: The Cathach of St. Columba (MS 12 R 33). Using high quality images provided by Irish Script on Screen (ISOS), a digital facsimile of the manuscript has been created which allows viewers to manually turn (or click) through the pages to explore each folio in detail. This is a positive step towards improving accessibility to our collections, and it provides readers with the opportunity to explore and study one of the Academy's most well-known treasures.

Contact the library

Our opening hours are currently Monday-Friday, 10:00-17:00

For enquires email: library@ria.ie

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Antiquarian books on a library shelf.