THE ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY IS IRELAND'S LEADING BODY OF EXPERTS IN THE SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

The Royal Irish Academy/Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann champions research. We identify and recognise Ireland’s world class researchers. We support scholarship and promote awareness of how science and the humanities enrich our lives and benefit society. We believe that good research needs to be promoted, sustained and communicated. The Academy is run by a Council of its members. Membership is by election and considered the highest academic honour in Ireland.

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Modern Manuscripts

Charles O’Conor letters and papers

A collection of letters from Charles O’Conor, MRIA (1710–91), one of the leading scholars and Irish manuscript collectors of eighteenth-century Ireland. 

Betham Manuscript Collection

A collection of Irish manuscripts purchased from Sir William Betham in 1851.

Caldwell Collection Catalogue

The Caldwell collection is a wide-ranging archive connected to key members of the family and relating to Ireland, Britain and beyond. A treasure trove for researchers.

Charlemont Manuscript Collection

A major collection of 18th century political and travel writings and correspondence, the Charlemont papers are an important resource for scholars.

W. T. Cosgrave Papers

Papers of W. T. Cosgrave (1880-1965), revolutionary and politician.

Doegen recordings 

Recordings of Irish dialects from Connacht, Munster and Ulster, made between 1928 and 1931

Dublin Unitarian Church Collection

The Dublin Unitarian Church Collection is a major resource for the history of these non-conformist congregations in Dublin 17th – 20th centuries.

Felix Hackett

Papers of Professor Felix Hackett, MRIA, physicist. 

Graves Collection, MS 24 O 39

Graves Collection - the Brehon laws, endowed schools, the 19th-century Ordnance Survey, genealogy and antiquarian research all feature in this composite collection relating to three key 19th century scholars.

Guild of St Anne (Dublin), 13th – 19th century

The medieval Guild of St Anne received charitable donations and bequests of property in Dublin. Its archival records are an important source for the history of the medieval city and county of Dublin.

Heron Papers, RIA MS 12 X 4

Heron Papers - Irish language collection from Co. Derry.

Hodges & Smith Collection (1844)

Collection of Medieval and Early Modern Irish manuscripts purchased by the Academy in 1844. 

William Elliott Hudson bequest (1853)

An essay on the manuscripts and books bequeathed to the Academy by William Elliott Hudson in 1853, with a list of the Irish manuscripts in the bequest.

Manuscripts in the Irish language

Manuscripts in the Irish language - the Academy Library is the centre for research Irish language from earliest period to the present day.

Knud Jessen Papers

Field notebooks of Knud Jessen, the renowned Danish botanist who carried out groundbreaking work on Irish bogs in the 20th century.

Eleanor Knott Collection

The papers of Eleanor Knott, distinguished Irish scholar.

Lloyd Correspondence

The Lloyd Correspondence is a collection connected with Joseph Lloyd, an early member of Conradh na Gaeilge (Gaelic League) featuring correspondence with leading writers and scholars of the early 20th century.

Lough Hyne Collection: RIA MSS/LH/1-12

The Lough Hyne Collection - an important research collection relating to the unique marine environment of Lough Hyne, Co. Cork.

Macalister collection

Irish manuscripts and books donated by Robert Macalister, MRIA (1870–1950).

Marquess MacSwiney Papers

The Marquess MacSwiney Papers are a large archive of material relating to the Irish who served in the continental armies, 17th – 19th centuries.

Moffat Papers

Wide-ranging natural history papers including field notebooks, diaries and correspondence, the collection of Charles Bethune Moffat provide a context for his many publications.

Music Collections

The Forde – Pigot collection of Irish airs is the Academy’s main music resource.

Nally Papers

The Nally collection is a resource for those interested in Irish and Hiberno-Norse dialectology.

Kevin B. Nowlan Papers

Papers of Kevin B. Nowlan, MRIA, (1921-2013), Professor of History at University College Dublin and champion of architectural preservation.

William Smith O’Brien’s Irish manuscript collection

Irish manuscripts presented and bequeathed by William Smith O’Brien, MRIA, MP (1803–64)

Charles O'Conor letters and papers

Correspondence of Charles O’Conor, MRIA (1710–91), one of the leading scholars and Irish manuscript collectors of eighteenth-century Ireland. 

John O’Daly (Seán Ó Dálaigh) manuscript collection (1869)

A collection of Irish language manuscripts acquired from John O'Daly in 1869. 

Ordnance Survey of Ireland Archive

The Academy's Ordnance Survey Archive reflects the depth and breadth of this extraordinary survey of pre-famine Ireland.

R.A. Phillips papers

The R.A. Phillips collection consists of correspondence, photographs and some specimens relating to the fauna and flora of Ireland, late 19th – early 20th century.

Purcell Papers, RIA MS 4 A 42

A collection of estate papers relating to the Purcell family, Loughmoe, Co. Tipperary.

Royal Irish Academy Archives

The Royal Irish Academy Archives - Records of the Royal Irish Academy provide insights on its workings, projects, publications and collecting history.

Tew Family Documents, RIA MS 12 S 37 A

A collection of deeds and indentures relating to the Tew Family, Ireland.

Upton Collection: RIA / Upton Papers / 1-29

The Upton collection is an important resource for genealogy and family history, particularly families connected with the Irish midlands.

Ussher bird notes

A collection of notes and correspondence relating to the birds of Ireland, to cave exploration and to antiquities, the work of R.J. Ussher, 1841-1913.

Wilmot-Dashkova Collection

For a bird’s eye view of life at court and on a Russian country estate, and for records of society in France, Italy and Russia in the early 19th century, the Wilmot-Dashkova papers are a mine of information.

Windele Collection

The Windele papers are a mine of information for archaeologists, historians, antiquarian scholars, Irish language and music research and for information on 19th century antiquarian networks.

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