Explore Your Archives

Explore Your Archive 2023 focus week will run from Saturday 25th November to Sunday 3rd December. 

Explore Your Archive is an annual campaign that showcases the best of archives and archive services in Ireland and the UK. Please read on for more about EYA and the daily themes, and check back soon for updates on our EYA ambassador for 2023/4, ARA Ireland's launch of the focus week on the 23rd November, and all the events as they come in.

ARA Ireland's EYA ambassador for 2023/4 Clodagh Finn. Photo (c) Marc O'Sullivan, and taken at the RIA

ARA Ireland's Explore Your Archive Ambassador 2023/4

ARA Ireland EYA Launch

The campaign aims to open up the phenomenal archival collections held by organisations – public and private –  whatever their size and scale, and wherever they are. 

Throughout the week archives across the country will showcase their collections online, to help the public discover a piece of Irish history and culture. We will be updating the EYA and Featured pages as submissions come in, so please make sure to check back regularly. Submissions can be made directly to the Campaigns and Communications officer Niamh Ní Charra at niamhnicharra@gmail.com. 

For ARA Ireland's customisable EYA poster please click here, and for our EYA logo please click here.

EYA 2023 Events

Saturday 4th November

University of Galway

Launch of the Conradh na Gaeilge Digital Collection at Oireachtas na Gaeilge

University of Galway has unveiled a milestone for its Archives and Special Collections with the unveiling of about 60,000 digitised images from the Conradh na Gaeilge archive. Following an 18-month digitisation project, the collection has been made openly available online, offering a window to momentous episodes in Irish history and the work, campaigning and activism of Conradh. Event Link

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Wednesday 8th November - Thursday 21st December 

Royal Irish Academy (RIA)

Exhibition: The Great Industrial Exhibition of 1853 

In 1853 the Royal Irish Academy contributed artefacts to one of the largest ever international events of the nineteenth-century – the Great Industrial Exhibition – which took place from 12 May until the 31st of October 1853 on the grounds of Leinster House, the headquarters of the Royal Dublin Society. This year marks 170 years since the exhibition, which welcomed over a million visitors to see highlights of Irish industry and craft. A substantial number of objects from the Royal Irish Academy Museum (now held in the National Museum of Ireland) were exhibited as part of the Great Industrial Exhibition including the twelfth century Cross of Cong, one of the greatest examples of Irish art, and the Tara Brooch. RIA worked with colleagues from the RDS Library & Archive on an exhibition to tell the story of the Great Industrial Exhibition which will be on display in the Meeting Room of the Royal Irish Academy in November and December. Event Link

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Monday 20th November

National Archives of Ireland

Exhibition “On An Equal Footing – Ireland at the League of Nations”, UNHQ, New York

In what is the final flagship event for the Irish Government’s Decade of Centenaries 2012-2023 programme, a major exhibition which marks the first time Ireland was recognised as a new nation on the world stage at the UN Headquarters in New York goes on display. Event link

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Tuesday 21st November onwards

Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI)

PRONI Libraries Tour - various locations

PRONI is taking some of its most interesting records on the road, visiting Derry Central Library on 21st November and Enniskillen Library on 14th December, with further visits, including to Lurgan Library, planned for the New Year. The initiative, which has been organised in partnership with Libraries NI, will see historical documents specific to the region put on display at each local library.

PRONI staff will be available on the day to help visitors uncover details of their family tree, delve into the history of the local area, and answer questions about the vast array of records held by the PRONI.

No booking required.

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Thursday 23rd November

Military Archives

Book launch and second release of MSPC material

Launch of the Military Service Pensions Project’s third and latest publication, A Very Hard Struggle – Lives in the Military Service Pensions Collection. The book, edited by Anne Dolan and Catriona Crowe will be launched by Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin.

Military Service Pensions Project 15th release of pension files - some 2200 records relating to 863 individuals will enter the public domain. This is the second release of MSPC material this year. Event Link

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Tuesday 28th November

National Library of Ireland

Online talk - Getting Started with Family History Research

Thursday 30th November 

Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI)

The East Donegal Border Petition and the Derry-Donegal Milk War, 1934-8

PRONI is delighted to invite you to a presentation by Dr Samuel Beckton to mark the launch of his book, ‘The East Donegal Border Petition and the Derry-Donegal Milk War, 1934-8’.

In November 1934, 7,368 Protestants in east Donegal signed a Unionist petition to the British and Northern Irish governments requesting to transfer their region to Northern Ireland. This was a reaction to policies made in the Irish Free State by Fianna Fáil during the 1930s that resulted in the Economic War. News of this event spread to numerous newspapers across the British and Irish Isles, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Southern Rhodesia through Irish diasporas across the British empire. This was an exceptional event of southern Unionism in post-partition Ireland, displaying an element of defiance in their development of living in the Irish Free State. The work analyses the roots of the petition and those who organised the document. What were the terms of the petition? What did the petition manage to achieve and fail to resolve? How did it lead to a Derry–Donegal Milk War, which lasted three years? Event link

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The Library Association of Ireland Rare Books and LAI Genealogy & Local Studies Groups

Seminar – “If you want to understand today you have to search yesterday”, Chester Beatty

The Library Association of Ireland Rare Books and the LAI Genealogy and Local Studies Groups look forward to welcoming you to this joint seminar "If you want to understand today you have to search yesterday: genealogical & local studies materials in Irish Special Collections & Archives."

Advance registration is required for this event which will be held at Chester Beatty in Dublin. Event Link

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Thursday 30th November - Friday 1st December

Trinity College Dublin

The Many Lives of Medieval Manuscripts Symposium

The Many Lives of Medieval Manuscripts Symposium - led by the Manuscripts & Archives section of Trinity College Library to showcase a recent haul of digitised treasures from the medieval collection. Event Link

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Friday 1st December 

Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI)

Getting Started Workshop - Using Online Resources

Are you thinking of starting your family history, or local history research? This workshop has been designed to help you get started online from the comfort of your own home through PRONI's own online services and other online resources. It is also a chance for you to ask your questions directly to PRONI staff!

This workshop will be delivered online via Zoom, links will be issued one hour in advance. 

Join the guestlist – Getting Started Workshop - Using Online Resources – Zoom, Fri 1 Dec 2023 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (tickettailor.com)

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Tuesday 5th December 

Royal College of Physicians of Ireland(RCPI)

Launch of “The Diaries of Kathleen Lynn: A Life Revealed Through Personal Writing”, Harriett Wheelock, Dr Mary McAuliffe

The diaries of Dr Kathleen Lynn, 1916-1955, cover her involvement in the 1916 Rising, the War of Independence, the Civil War, and the formative three and a half decades of the Irish Free State. They demonstrate the revolutionary, socialist and feminist fervour of a radical revolutionary woman, what motivated her and the work she did for women, workers, and Ireland. The diaries, held in the archives of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI), reveal the often-difficult road that radical political women forged in the new Irish Free State, which viewed women through the constraining lens of marriage, motherhood, and domesticity.

Central to the diaries is Lynn's vital work in St Ultan's Hospital for Sick Infants which she co-founded in 1919. Her diaries demonstrate vividly the number of women who led advances in medical care in the first decades of the State alongside Lynn. The diaries also record her family and personal relationships, especially her lifelong relationship with fellow suffragist, revolutionary and social campaigner, Madeline ffrench-Mullen.

More info here.

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Thursday 7th December 

Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI)

An Evening of Carols and Readings from the Archives

Join us at PRONI for an evening of music, history and celebration! Belfast-based chamber choir, Cantiunculae, will be performing Christmas carols interspersed with nine readings from festive PRONI documents, including some which have been selected as part of PRONI’s 100 Treasures to celebrate our centenary.

PRONI - An evening of carols and readings from the archives Tickets, Thu 7 Dec 2023 at 19:00 | Eventbrite

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Friday 8th - Sunday 17th December 

Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA)

Drawing From The Well Concert Tour

ITMA presents an evening of traditional music, song and dance in the company of four of Ireland’s leading contemporary traditional artists. These artists have engaged with ITMA’s flagship series Drawing from the Well, an initiative which connects artists with archival materials to inspire new art. Event Link

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Thursday 14th December 

Royal Irish Academy (RIA)

Seminar Her-ALD: Her Archives, Literature, Documents

This one-day seminar aims to enhance the visibility of Irish women scientists, scholars, authors and others by bringing together archival practitioners, librarians, historians and other stakeholders to discover, discuss and disseminate women's archival collections. The seminar, HER-ald: Her archives, literature, documents, will take place in the Royal Irish Academy on Thursday 14 December 2023. This date also marks the 105th anniversary of Irish women over the age of 30 exercising their right to vote in a general election for the first time. This event is kindly supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media and Mná 100. 

Event Link

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ARA Ireland's Communications and Campaigns Officer Niamh Ní Charra and EYA ambassador for 2023/24 Clodagh Finn. Photo (c) Marc O'Sullivan and taken at the RIA

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Explore Your Archive 2022 focus week will run from Monday 28th November to Tuesday 6th December. 

Explore Your Archive is an annual campaign that showcases the best of archives and archive services in Ireland and the UK. Please read on for more about EYA, for updates on our EYA ambassador for 2022/3, ARA Ireland's launch of the focus week on the 24th November, daily themes for social media, and all the events as they come in.

ARA Ireland's EYA ambassador for 2022/3 Liz Gillis. Photo (c) Julien Behal, and taken at the RCPI

ARA Ireland's Explore Your Archive Ambassador 2022/3

ARA Ireland EYA Launch

EYA 2022/3 Daily Themes

EYA 2022 EVENTS

Saturday 26th November 

Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI)

Event: International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Exhibition Launch, 12pm

 

 

The Department for Communities is delivering an exhibition event in the PRONI Building, Belfast in celebration of the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The exhibition will be launched at the PRONI building, Titanic Quarter, Belfast, on Monday 28 November 2022 at 12pm. Michaela Hollywood, the respected disability rights advocate, will deliver a keynote speech sharing her experiences of living with a disability.

Following this will be an opportunity to view the exhibition and engage with fellow attendees - refreshments will be provided.

The PRONI building is fully accessible and a portable Changing Places facility will be available at the location all day Monday 28 November. A quiet room is also available onsite. For those who wish to view the launch taking place on 28 November but are unable to attend, a live feed will be available from 12 pm to 1 pm via the PRONI Facebook page. 

Register here.

Tuesday 29th November 

University of Galway Library Archives

Launch of the archive and online digital exhibition of Pan Pan Theatre Company

Event: Symposium (2pm-5pm) and launch (5pm-6pm), The Bridge Room, Hardiman Building

Founded in 1993 by Co-Artistic Directors, Gavin Quinn and Aedín Cosgrove, Pan Pan Theatre Company have been at the forefront of theatre and culture in Ireland and internationally for the last thirty years. The Pan Pan Archive, now fully catalogued and available at University of Galway Library Archives, is a leading resource for the study and engagement of the rich history one of Ireland's most innovative theatre companies. 

 

The Pan Pan Archive and Digital Exhibition will be launched by Willie White, Director, Dublin Theatre Festival. The digital exhibition, Pan Pan Theatre Company: An Archival Journey, is accessible online here. 

Schedule and Details: https://tinyurl.com/3jhsav47

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Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI)

Online Workshop: Getting Started at PRONI, 12:30pm - 1:30pm

 

 

Have you been thinking about visiting PRONI to do some research but aren't sure how it all works or what there is to do?

This online workshop is designed to show you how to search and order records at PRONI to prepare for your first visit, or your next visit! It's also your chance to ask your questions directly to PRONI staff.

 

This workshop will take place on zoom, the link will be sent one hour beforehand.

Register here.

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Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA)

Online event: Edward Bunting Digital Harp Collection - Claire O’Donnell

In 2016 Music Network gathered ten of Ireland's leading harpers in the studio of the Irish Traditional Music Archive to record tunes collected by Edward Bunting (1773–1843) and published in his 1797 "A General Collection of the Ancient Music of Ireland [Volume 1]". These recordings, and the printed volume were to become the source of inspiration for a commission awarded to internationally acclaimed artist Aideen Barry by ITMA and Music Network in 2020. Oblivion / Seachmalltacht / ᖃᐅᔨᒪᔭᐅᔪᓐᓃᖅᑐᑦ, a multimedia installation opened on Friday 16 September 2022 at the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris, having premiered at Limerick City Gallery of Art in December 2021.

ITMA and Music Network are now delighted to share the original 2016 sounds recordings made by Laoise Kelly, Eilís Lavelle, Máire Ní Chathasaigh, Anne-Marie O'Farrell, Mary Louise O'Donnell, Teresa O'Donnell, Úna Ní Fhlannagáin, Dianne Marshall, Tríona Marshall, and Claire O'Donnell. They were originally recorded in the ITMA Studio in 2016 by sound engineer Donncha Moynihan (The Rise Studio).

The tunes will be shared in batches following the printed order in the 1797 publication. Each recording below is accompanied by a link to an interactive score and staff notation so you can also learn the tune. December's addition will be from Claire O'Donnell. For more information see here.

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Wednesday 30th November 

Meath County Library

Event: Giving Power to the People - The Rural District Councils of County Meath, 1898 - 1925. 7:30pm

 

The Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898 changed the administration of local democracy and governance across the island of Ireland. Under the act each county would have a county council, and rural and urban district councils would also be established. The rural district councils that were established under the act operated only briefly, just into the early years of the Free State, before being abolished in 1925.

 

In this talk, Dr. Arlene Crampsie will discuss the workings of the Rural District Councils in Meath and their effect on the Meath landscape and the lives of the local population.

Booking information here.

 

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Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI)

Event: The Troubles I've Seen - Screening, 7pm - 8:30pm

 

Join PRONI and the LGBT NI Heritage Project this Explore Your Archives Week for a screening of a new short documentary, The Troubles I’ve Seen, which captures the shared experiences and stories of the local LGBT Community.

Directed by Conan McIvor, this emotive and often funny doc hears from those who experienced and were involved in the beginning of the LGBT movement in Northern Ireland, discussing how their pride and fearlessness helped them overcome the shame and harassment levelled at them by elements of society. With contributions from activists such as Jeffrey Dudgeon, Doug Sobey, Paula Keenan and more, The Troubles I’ve Seen explores the start of the Gay Liberation movement, the establishment of Cara-Friend and the deep sense of community and support that was forged by campaigning in the face of AIDS, legal restrictions, and Northern Ireland’s anarchial political situation.

This screening will be accompanied by a document display that reflects on a number of the films themes and will be followed by a panel discussion about the film and the issues it raises.

Register here.

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Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA)

Online event: Saoithe - in-depth conversation with Matt Molloy

 

A new online series from ITMA featuring in-depth conversations with traditional artists Christy Moore, Catherine McEvoy, Frankie Gavin, Sarah Ghriallais, Matt Molloy, Dolly McMahon, and Paddy Moloney (1938-2021) will feature Matt Molloy on 30th November.

 

Ranging from earliest musical experiences, to sage advice to young people, to hopes for the future of the tradition, this series offers in-depth conversations with seven of Ireland’s most influential and outstanding tradition bearers. The long-format Q&A style interviews, with performance and illustrative archival recordings, expand our understanding of these artists by exploring their influences and by seeking out their personal philosophies as traditional artists.

More information here.

 

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Thursday 1st December 

Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI)

Online Event (1): Lesser Spotted Archive -  The Story of UTV, PRONI and Northern Ireland Screen, 2pm - 3pm

 

The UTV archive is a unique audio-visual record of our heritage, our people and our places.

 

PRONI, on behalf of the Department for Communities (DfC), has been working in partnership with Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive since 2018 to preserve, digitise and make available the UTV archive.

At this event you will hear from staff members in both PRONI and Northern Ireland Screen as they reflect on what it has been like to work on this project and share some of their favourite and most powerful clips.

 

This event is happening online only via zoom - links will be issued via e-mail one hour before the event starts. Register here.

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Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI)

Online event (2): The Cult of St Edmund in Ireland by Dr Francis Young, 7pm - 8pm

 

 

The Cult of St Edmund in Ireland by Dr Francis Young

The Ulster Society of Irish Historical Studies and the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland would be delighted to invite you to a presentation by Dr Francis Young.

In contrast to the popularity of Irish saints in England and beyond, few English saints achieved cults of any significance in medieval Ireland. Among the exceptions were St Thomas Becket, St Wulfstan of Worcester and St Edmund, King and Martyr. The cult of St Edmund had particular significance for Dublin and for the De Burgh dynasty, which patronised an important monastery dedicated to St Edmund at Athassel in Co. Tipperary. This talk explores the evidence for the cult of St Edmund in Ireland and the way in which it became a focus of 'English' identity among the 'Old English' gaelicised families of late medieval Ireland.

Francis Young is a UK-based historian specialising in the history of religion and belief. He is the author, editor or co-author of 18 books. He is interested in how history illuminates the nature of belief and in the intersections between religion, folklore, magic and other forms of supernatural belief. His books have dealt with early modern Catholicism, the history of exorcism, medieval monasticism, folklore, the cult of saints, the history of magic and witchcraft, and Baltic paganism. He is also a professional indexer and a translator specialising in medieval and early modern Latin.

This is an online event hosted via Zoom. The link will be made available 1 hour before the event starts. Register here.

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Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA)

Online event: Cullinane Archive Collection - video from Stephanie SK Marbach

Stephanie SK Marbach will give an online presentation on the progress to date processing this unique collection.

 

The Cullinane Archive Collection (CAC)

CAC is an extensive multimedia collection of material relating to the history of Irish dance compiled by Dr John Cullinane over his lifetime. The collection includes: published books and periodicals, academic theses, non-commercial sound recordings, video recordings, photographs, historical documents, newspaper clippings, ephemera (event programmes, posters, flyers etc.) and artefacts (including costume items, medals, etc.). 

Dr John Cullinane

A champion dancer, John has devoted his life to collecting and documenting Irish dancing initially in Ireland but subsequently throughout the world. On his own initiative and with boundless energy, he interviewed dance teachers and pupils all over the globe in the days before the mass popularity of Irish dancing due to Riverdance. John shared his knowledge and meticulous research on Irish dancing published through many scholarly articles and books. He is rightly regarded as a leading authority in this area and the dancing community is privileged to have his encyclopaedic knowledge of diverse facets of Irish dancing.

More information here.

 

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Friday 2nd December 

Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI)

Online Workshop: Getting Started at PRONI, 12:30pm - 1:30pm

Have you been thinking about visiting PRONI to do some research but aren't sure how it all works or what there is to do?

This online workshop is designed to show you how to search and order records at PRONI to prepare for your first visit, or your next visit! It's also your chance to ask your questions directly to PRONI staff.

 

This workshop will take place on zoom, the link will be sent one hour beforehand. Register here.

 

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Tuesday 6th December 

Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA)

Online event: Ceol Journal – digital publishing of out-of-print journal

 

ITMA has been enabled, courtesy of the Breathnach family, to republish Breandán Breathnach’s 1963–86 periodical Ceol: A Journal of Irish Music on its website for public access. Its eight volumes will appear over four months, two per month, with the second installment coming out on the 6th of December. The copyright of Ceol remains with the Breathnach family, and the Irish Traditional Music Archive is greatly obliged to Dr Síghle Bhreathnach-Lynch, Niamh Bhreathnach, Fionnuala Bhreathnach, and Éadaoin Bhreathnach for granting it permission to republish the run of Ceol on its website for free public access. It remembers the late Eibhlín Bhreathnach and Mrs Lena Bhreathnach who with them facilitated the donation of Breandán’s personal collection in 1987 as the foundation collection of ITMA, and it is certain that Breandán, always keen to use the latest technology, would approve of this spreading of the gospel.

In keeping with the periodical nature of Ceol, the eight volumes of the journal will be reproduced here in facsimile at intervals in four monthly tranches, each of two volumes. Text is also machine-readable. Readers are invited to enter the compelling world of Irish traditional music as seen by Ceol, its editor and its many contributors in the formative period, beginning sixty years ago, during which much of the now familiar landscape of Irish traditional music took shape. More information here.

For all of ITMA's Explore Your Archive events check out their EYA 2022 landing page here.

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Irish Society for Archives

Online Seminar - The Decade of Commemoration: Sources & Legacies, 6pm - 7:30pm

 

 

As the Decade of Centenaries (1913-1923) in Ireland draws to a close, The Irish Society for Archives will host a free online retrospective seminar on Tuesday 6 December from 6-7:30pm via Zoom.

The Decade of Commemoration: Sources & Legacies draws together a number of Archivists and Librarians who have been actively engaged in new and recent projects working with records, collections, and archives from the years comprising the Decade of Commemorations in Ireland. As we reach the latter stages of the Decade, it is timely to reflect on how archival projects, new records access, digitisation, exhibitions, community engagement and cultural events have opened up a new archival window into a time of revolution, tragedy, partition, and the establishment of the new Irish Free State.

Featuring lightning talks from Niamh Brennan (Donegal County Archives), Marian Thérèse Keyes (dlr Libraries, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown), Kate Manning (UCD Archives) and Emma Horgan (UCC Library), this webinar will reflect on recent archival projects as well as the legacies and sources of the Decade of Commemoration.

Further details and registration at this link

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ARA Ireland's Communications and Campaigns Officer Niamh Ní Charra and EYA ambassador for 2022/3 Liz Gillis. Photo (c) Julien Behal, and taken at the RCPI

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EYA 2021

EYA 2021 Ambassador journalist and broadcaster, Flor MacCarthy

To watch Flor's speech at ARA Ireland's launch, 18th November 2021 click here.

To listen to Communications and Campaigns Officer Niamh Ní Charra's interview with Ryan Tubridy to promote the 2021 campaign click here.

EYA 2021 EVENTS

EYA daily themes have been announced! Get planning and then get ready to get sharing on social media during the campaign launch week.

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Tuesday 16th November - April 2022

Cork City and County Archives

On 15 November 2021, the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Colm Kelleher, launched our historical exhibition at the City and County Archives, ‘Tadhg Barry (1880-1921), Rebel and Revolutionary’. Barry was a key figure in Cork’s War of Independence story.

Born and raised on Blarney Street, Cork, Barry, a well known journalist, served alongside Tomas McCurtain and Terence MacSwiney in the First Cork Brigade of the Irish Volunteers, and as a Councillor on Cork Corporation. Tragically, Barry was one of the last prominent republicans to be killed by Crown forces, before the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty of December 1921. His funeral on 20 November was one of the largest ever seen in Cork, attendees including General Michael Collins, who left the Treaty negotiations in London to honour his fallen comrade. On the centenary of Barry’s death, our exhibition seeks to mark his life and to raise awareness of his enormous contribution to the story of Cork in the tumultuous 1912-21 period.

Expertly curated by historian Dr. Luke Dineen, the exhibition places Tadhg’s life in context, with themes about the many areas of Cork life in which he was centrally involved: Home Rule politics; the creation of the Irish Volunteers; Republican politics and armed struggle; the labour and trade union movements; local government; journalism and literature; and Gaelic games and cultural activism. A number of original letters, documents and artefacts relating to Barry are also on display, including items provided by the Barry family, and items from the Cork Archives and Cork Public Museum collections. 

This exhibition forms part of Cork City Council’s 1920-1923 Commemoration programme, sponsored jointly with the Department of Tourism and Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media.

The exhibition will run at Cork City and County Archives from Tuesday 16 November 2021 until April 2022. Public access is by appointment, subject to public health guidance. Small groups are also welcome by prior arrangement.

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Thursday 18th November

NUI,Galway

Venue: online, 9.30am to 6pm 

NUI Galway Hardiman Library Archives and Irish Centre for Human Rights are delighted to invite you to a one-day international online conference on: Archives and Human Rights: Memory, Truth-Telling and Institutional Records 

The purpose of the conference is to examine key current issues regarding the ethical, legal and proper professional management of records and archives relating to institutionalisation and family separation in Ireland. Its aim is to facilitate greater public awareness of: the relevance of records access and preservation to truth-telling and transitional justice; the existing gaps in legislation, policy and practice; and human rights-based approaches to records management and archiving that might be drawn upon by civil society, records holders and policy-makers. 

For free registration and further information click here 

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Offaly Archives

Event: Official opening of Offaly Archives by Minister of State for Heritage, Malcolm Noonan, T.D. with Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council.

Offaly Archives is delighted to welcome Minister of State for Heritage, Malcolm Noonan, T.D. with Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council to officially open its new archives building in Tullamore. Built in 2019 by Offaly Historical and Archaeological Society to archival standards, the new building now houses, in a unique partnership, the archives of Offaly County Council and the archival collections collected over many years by the historical society, and is a testament to the community and voluntary sector's passion to preserve its local history and documentary heritage. 

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Monday 22nd November

Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI)

PRONI is holding a ‘Making the Future Take Over’ of EYA week.  November marks the close of Making the Future (www.makingthefuture.eu), a collaborative project led by the Nerve Centre, in partnership with PRONI, National Museums NI and the Linen Hall Library, supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).  Making the Future has been running for over three years, during which time it has delivered a comprehensive change programme of exhibitions, cultural engagement, creativity and skills development involving more than 5,000 people from across the region and from areas of disadvantage, LGBTQ+, disabled and ethnic minority groups, and victims and survivors.

Making the Future participants have been empowered to interrogate and re-imagine objects, archives and art works from the consortium’s collections through creativity and new digital technologies. Sustained cross-community programmes have explored areas such as Decade of Centenaries, our recent conflict, representation of women and minorities in the archives, and issues around culture and identity today. The project has allowed people to have their voices heard and empowered them to create a powerful vision for future change.

Archiving COVID: Ordinary People and Stay Home Memories

Event: online 1pm

Join PRONI for a presentation exploring the experiences and memories of the COVID-19 pandemic by local people and communities that have been archived at PRONI.

Using material and insights from both our Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times engagement programme from Lockdown 1 (April-June 2020) and the Stay Home Memories project (June 2020 - June 2021), you'll get a glimpse of what we are leaving behind to tell researchers of the future what it was like to live through lockdown! For more information and to register click here.

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Tuesday 23rd November

PRONI

Researching farming ancestors in PRONI

Event: online 2pm

PRONI is delighted to host a talk by Dr William Roulston, Research Director of Ulster Historical Foundation, to mark his recent publication ‘Researching farming ancestors in PRONI’. For more information and to register click here.

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PRONI

Border Sounds: Immersive VR Experience

Event: In-person, time must be reserved

Book your place to view our immersive new Virtual Reality (VR) film Border Sounds using a full VR headset.

You will have a 20 minute slot to view the 11 minute long film and become fully immersed in the sights and sounds of the Irish Border, as told by people who live there.

This event is an in-person event at PRONI, you must book a time in advance. Click here for more information.

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The National Archives Lecture Series

‘The Irish Revolution and the making of a new world order: what the archives tell us’

Event: Online, 6pm

The National Archives is delighted to host the third online talk in our commemorative lecture series for autumn-winter 2021

 

Speakers: Dr Linda Connolly (Professor of Sociology, Maynooth University), Dr Brian Hanley (Assistant Professor in Twentieth Century Irish History, Trinity College Dublin) and Dr Fearghal McGarry (Professor in Modern Irish History, School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics, Queen's University, Belfast). Moderator: Dr Patrick Geoghegan (Professor in Modern History, Trinity College Dublin) 

The 20th century was defined by the decline of empire and the emergence of new nations and social and political movements founded on principles of democracy, equality and self-government. Some of the questions arising from this seismic shift in global politics and society will ask what the historical records tell us about the way events occurring in Ireland spoke to the wider dynamics of change that were sweeping the world, from revolutionary struggles to decolonisation and women's suffrage. Also, how did Ireland's new political leadership use news and information to mobilise its population and project Ireland to a global public in the brave new world of mass media?

This roundtable will bring together a distinguished group of academics to discuss what archival records can tell us about the ideas of the men and women who built the Irish nation and how they were shaped by and within the new world that was emerging after the First World War and the Irish revolution

To register, and for more information, click here.

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PRONI

Making the Future On Screen: A Film Festival

Event: The Strand Cinema, 7pm-9pm

Changing the Narrative

'Changing the Narrative’ (60 minutes) comprises of five shorts made by local women celebrating their roles in rural South Armagh and the rich traditions, stunning landscape, and heritage in the area.

• Voices of Gullion – An exploration of language, song tradition and South Armagh’s stunning landscape.

• The Threads That Bind Us - An Insight into the rich tradition of lace-making and the pieces that bind women together across generations.

• Breaking The Mould – Meet some of the women and girls involved in a variety of sports, such as camogie, netball, hill walking and football.

• Women in Farming - Three farmers from different generations discuss the past, present and future of farming.

• ROGHA – Meet ROGHA, a collective of hand crafters and artists whose work is inspired by the unique heritage and majesty of the Ring of Gullion.

 

From the Mournes to the Rockies

From the Mournes to the Rockies: A Fantastic Journey (26 mins) provides an insight into the life of Catherine O'Hare Schubert and her incredible overland journey to the goldfields of British Columbia whilst pregnant, with three children by her side. Catherine left Rathfriland at the age of 16 in 1851 to try her luck in the New World. After living in the United States for a number of years, she joined her husband Augustus and a group of 150 men in the famous 1862 overland journey to the goldfields. Made by members of the Rathfriland & District Regeneration Co and the Rathfriland Historical Society, the film celebrates her life and her tireless campaign for education for the young.

 

The Female Eye

A series of nine shorts made by a group of women based in Co. Donegal who learned how to film and edit using their own smartphones and each created a one-minute short film on a subject of their choice, including family stories, farming, nature, and domestic violence. The workshops were delivered in partnership with the NCCWN-Donegal Women’s Network.

 

For more information or to register, click here.

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Wednesday 24th November

PRONI

Arch'ive Imagined: Artistic Responses to the Archives

Event: Online 2pm-3pm

Explore the many ways people have created artistic work inspired by PRONI's archive material.

In partnership with NI Screen and Seacourt Print Workshop , you'll see examples of art inspired by the archives and hear directly from their creators. For more information and to register, click here.

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PRONI

Making the Future On Screen: A Film Festival

Event: The Strand Cinema, 7pm-9.30pm

Everyday is a School Day

 

A series of 10 short films made by a group with varying degrees of sight loss during the Lockdown.

• The Road to the Waterfront Hall (8min) - Mark McShane recalls the experience of getting a Law Degree from the Open University.

• The School with the Pool (3min) - Stephen Strong explores the history of Finaghy Primary School, one of the first schools to have a swimming pool in Northern Ireland.

• Widening My Horizons (12min) - Liam Clarke shares his experience of travelling abroad and shows how history and culture can be important forms of education.

• Happy Memories of My Life in Downpatrick (13min) - Jacqueline McCammon explores the history and heritage of Downpatrick and shares happy memories of her life there.

• The Wee School at Crane Hill: A Kitchen Table Interview (16min) - Patricia Mcknight interviews her family about their experience of education and Knocknagor Primary School, Co. Tyrone.

• The Day Candy Came to School (13min) - Carol Bennett explores the history and shares some memories of King's Park Primary School in Newtownabbey.

• Harding Remembered (17min) - Olive Rodgers shares some memories of her time at Harding Memorial Primary School in East Belfast.

• The Influence of Art (18min) - Jim Tate recalls how his working-class background and art have influenced his lifelong learning journey.

• Ryan's Reviews of the Belfast Shipyard (18min) - Ryan McCartney presents the result of his research about Belfast's shipyard history.

• Days of Abbey Past (12min) - Anthony McKeown documents his family's experience of attending St Colman's Abbey Primary School in Newry.

 

For more information or to register, click here.

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Irish Traditional Music Archive

Drawing From the Well

Featuring singer Lisa O'Neill who gives a presentation on "Arthur Griffith - A Balad History of Ireland"

Live on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and www.itma.ie at 8.00 pm 

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Thursday 25th November

Property Registration Authority of Ireland

Reading the Deeds and Sasines: Irish and Scottish Land Records

Event: Online 11am-12pm

As part of #Explore Your Archive events, Dr. Patrick Walsh and Dr. Andrew Mackillop will give a free online lecture. Drawing on an exploratory research project funded by the Irish Research Council and the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council and conducted in collaboration with the Property Registration Authority of Ireland and the National Records of Scotland, this talk will explore the challenges of using digital humanities approaches to the vast and extraordinarily rich archives of the Irish Registry of Deeds and the Scottish Register of Sasines.  The talk will be recorded and published on the Property Registration Authority You-Tube channel.   For further information and to book, please see here.

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PRONI

In their own words: children of Victorian Belfast

Event: Online 2pm-3pm

PRONI is delighted to host a talk by Dr Alice Johnson exploring childhood in Victorian Belfast.

This original and lively talk will explore what it was like to grow up in a middle-class family in the dynamic and changing environment of a Victorian Irish industrial city. By delving into a rich archive of childhood sources such as diaries, school-work, and letters, the speaker, Dr Alice Johnson, will uncover the lived experience of middle-class boys and girls based in Belfast, and allow the Victorian children to speak in their own words.

For more information and to register, please click here.

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PRONI

Making the Future On Screen: A Film Festival

Event: The Strand Cinema, 7pm-8.30pm

Short films made by young filmmakers inspired by our archives, covering themes such as women's history, conflict, old professions and television archives.

 

Women in the Archives - Four women from our archives are brought back to life: Ottilie Patterson, Constance Markievicz, Marjorie Lyle and Eva Chichester.

Suffrage in Belfast - A compilation of shorts exploring people’s different reactions to the suffrage movement in Belfast.

Women in Armagh Gaol - two shorts exploring the history of Armagh Gaol:

A Day in the Life: The Misunderstood – Journalist Sarah Michaelson speaks to two former prisoners to find out more about what life was like in Armagh Gaol.

Teachers in Prison - Two teachers arrive for another day in the classroom, but one of the students is missing. What happened to Jennifer?

Women of the Flight of the Earls - The Flight of the Earls saw earls Hugh O'Neill, Rory O'Donnell and over 90 people leave Ireland for mainland Europe to look for help against the English. Among those who left, 17 passengers were women. They were wives, daughters, sisters, and servants. Made by 20 pupils from St Joseph's N.S. and St Garvan's N.S. Donegal, these four short films explore some of their incredible stories.

 

Youtubers - Watch what happens when a group of young YouTubers react and reimagine the UTV archives.

Tik Tokers - Watch what happens when young Tiktokers bring old professions from our archives to life

The Horror! - A series of four one-minute horror shorts made at the Ulster Folk Park Museum.

 

For more information and to register, please click here.

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Friday 26th November

PRONI

Event: Online 1pm-3pm

Our Place: An Archive for Everyone

Join for a celebration of stories that have made their way into the archives at PRONI through the Making the Future project.

This session will include performances based on letters from our LGBT stories programme, stories and recipes from Our Food, Our Place and some extra special dancing performances from some of our participants.

Places at PRONI are invite-only, these tickets are for the live-stream via zoom. The zoom link will issue one hour before the event begins. For more information and to register, click here.

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Saturday 27th November

NUI Galway

Event: Rough Beast - World Premiere, O'Donoghue Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance, 7pm

Galway Music Residency (GMR) in association with Contemporary Music Centre (CMC) presents a multi-artform event marking the 1921 Centenary. The event will feature the World Premiere of Rough Beast, a new work by Irish composer Rhona Clarke for string quartet and soprano, performed by Galway’s ConTempo Quartet and Aisling Kenny. The commission takes inspiration from WB Yeats’ poem The Second Coming. The evening will also include an archive exhibition relating to Yeats, a fascinating perspective on how the political and societal turmoil of the time was reflected in Art and creativity by Dr. Adrian Paterson, as well as dramatic readings from students of Drama and Theatre Studies and an interview with the composer led by Contemporary Music Centre’s Linda O’Shea Farren.

For more information and to register, click here.

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November (All Month)

NUI Galway

Event: Exhibition, Archives and Special Collections of the James Hardiman Library

 

All Aboard!

A display of items from the Archives and Special Collections of the James Hardiman Library to celebrate the coming of the railway to Galway in 1851, 170 years this year.

 

The printed items include books used by the railway companies to encourage tourists to visit the West as well as some recent volumes illustrating the history of Irish railways and the fascination they hold for researchers.

 

Archival material is included from the Midland and Great Western Railway of Ireland, Galway General Omnibus Company, the Galway to Clifden Railway Company and the Portumna to  Parsonstown Railway Company.

 

For information contact Marie.boran@nuigalway.ie or Kieran.hoare@nuigakway.ie

 

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EYA 2020 EVENTS

Monday 23rd November

Online talk: Conservation and Collections Care: Preserving PRONIs Archives

PRONI, 2pm

PRONI’s Head of Conservation, Sarah Graham, will explain the importance of preservation and introduce the role of the conservator, showing examples of interventive treatments which have recently been carried out on collections at PRONI. Register for free here. 

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Online Lecture: Whose History? The 'Migrated Archive' and Britain's Colonial Past

The Trinity Long Room Hub, Arts and Humanities Research Institute, 7 - 8.15pm

An online lecture as part of the Out of the Ashes Lecture Series, with David M Anderson, Professor of African History Hostory, University of Warwick.

This lecture tells the story of the 'Hanslope Disclosure' and how this so-called 'Migrated Archive' came into being, what happened to it over the years in which it was secretly retained, and how it came to be 'discovered' in the midst of a human rights trial at London's Supreme Court on The Strand. Wjose history is this, and where does such an archive belong? The ansers to these questions reveal much about Britain's unease in dealing with the history of its past empire, and about the culture of secrecy that still infects British public institutions - even those that are supposed to be the guardians of our national heritage. Details here

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Online Exhibition Launch: “A Great Reformer”: The Life and Work of Dr Conolly Norman”

RCPI

This online exhibition from the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland focuses on the life and career of renowned Irish psychiatrist Dr Conolly Norman. The apparent growth of insanity in 19^th century Ireland saw the building of an extensive asylum system. Upon his appointment at the Richmond Asylum in Dublin, Norman began attempting to reform the system and use his experiences to shape the future of psychiatry. The exhibition charts his early life, career and work in the Richmond Asylum, followed by his commemorations and accolades. From an epidemic outbreak in the asylum to his delivery of lectures to psychology students, Norman always tried to progress the study of mental illness. For more information see here.

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Tuesday 24th November

Online talk: A Beginners Guide to using DNA for Family History

PRONI, 2pm

Come and learn about the types of DNA test that are available, how they can help you and what you can achieve. Register for free here. 

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Wednesday 25th November 

Online talk: Putting You in The Picture: An Introduction to the UTV Archive

PRONI, 2pm

This session introduces some of the gems that have been unearthed from the vault so far and highlights how they are being used with a range of groups and organisations across Northern Ireland through outreach activity. Register for free here. 

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Thursday 26th November

Online talk: Researching Presbyterians in Ireland

PRONI, 2pm

This presentation by author Dr William Roulston will outline the range of records relating to the various strands of Presbyterians in Ireland over the last four centuries. Register for free here.

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Webinar: Exploring Lands Indexes (1708-1946) 

Registry of Deeds, 3pm-4.15pm

Booking:   https://rodlandindexes.eventbrite.ie

The Lands Indexes at the Registry of Deeds consist of over 1400 handwritten books organised by county, and then townland or street. They provide a finding aid for every deed registered between 1708-1946 at the Registry of Deeds.

For our Explore Your Archive webinar, we will be joined by three different researchers who will outline how they have used the Land Indexes in their work. Rob Goodbody will discuss how he has utilised the Registry of Deeds as a source for researching historic buildings, local history and his contributions to the Irish Historic Towns Atlas series.  Una Palic will describe her work tracing landownership in the barony of Demifore, Co. Meath from 1708-1830s.  Dr. Conchubhar O Crualaoich will demonstrate how the Registry of Deeds records have been an indispensable source for his work as a Placenames Officer in researching townlands for the Placenames Commission.

The seminar will consist of 3 x 15 minute papers followed by Q & A session with the speakers. It will highlight the richness of the Registry of Deeds Land Indexes as historical sources, aswell as providing searching tips for those who wish to undertake their own research.

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Friday 27th November 

Online talk: The Dead of the Revolution

PRONI, 2pm

This Presentation by Eunan O’Halpin which explore the recently published The Dead of The Revolution which aspires to be the Lost Lives of the period from April 1916 to December 1921, identifying a total of 2850 deaths arising from Irish political violence. Register for free here.

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Explore Your Archive is an annual campaign that showcases the best of archives and archive services in Ireland and the UK.

The campaign aims to open up the phenomenal archival collections held by organisations – public and private –  whatever their size and scale, and wherever they are.

Explore Your Archive 2020 launch week will run from 21st to 29th November. Throughout the week archives across the country will showcase their collections online, to help the public discover a piece of Irish history and culture. Watch this space for news relating to the 2020 campaign and follow us on social media to learn more.

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September 2020

EYA daily themes have been announced! Get planning and then get ready to get sharing during EYA 2020!

21/11 Communication

22/11 Home

23/11 Plans

24/11 Education

25/11 Labels

26/11 Science

27/11 Celebration

28/11 Health

29/11 Light

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EYA 2019 EVENTS

Friday 15th November

"Celebrating Siobhán McKenna Symposium"

National University of Ireland, Galway

O'Donoghue Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance, 9.45am-4pm

Following the launch of the Siobhán McKenna archive at 10am, this day long symposium celebrates the life and work of McKenna, and includes panel discussions with current practitioners "Women Theatre Makers Now!" , conversations with Lelia Doolan and historian Dr Magaret McCurtain "Remembering Siobhán", an interview with Garry Hynes "Working with Siobhán" and a keynote lecture from Dr Lionel Pilkington "Siobhán McKenna: Acting and Activism". It conclused with a devised performance in Irish based on the archive, performed by students of the BA in Drama, Theatre and Performance. Click here for more information and to register.

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Thursday 21st November

Derry City and Strabane: "Exploring Archive & Genealogy Collections"

Alley Theatre, Strabane, 2pm-6pm

The Archive & Genealogy service is responsible for the preservation, interpretation and creation of access to the civic records of the Council and its predecessor, the Londonderry Corporation. Click here for more information. 

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Monday 25th November

 PRONI Workshop: "Getting Started"

 Public Records Office, Northern Ireland (PRONI), 11am-1pm

Are you interested in local and family history? Why not come along to a practical workshop at PRONI to discover the essential skills required to begin your search at PRONI. More information available here. 

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Tuesday 26th November

 PRONI Workshop: "Online resources for family and local history"

 Public Records Office, Northern Ireland (PRONI), 11am-1pm

Come along to a workshop at PRONI to find out more and improve your IT skills. More information available here. 

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"Taster Talks on Oral history"

Dublin City Library & Archive, 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, 6-8pm

Each year, Dublin City Archives offers the Lord Mayor's Certificate in Oral History, which has been taught since 2013.  As part of Explore Your Archive festival 2019, previous graduates will give short presentations on their projects for the course.  Topics include: 14 Henrietta St Tenement Memories project; 1916 Remembered; using Oral Histories to inform Local Studies - case-study for Stillorgan and Chapelizod; family stories and oral history.  Come along for an evening of storytelling!

Admission free/all welcome/ beidh tae agus caife ar fáil

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 Wednesday 27th November

Lunchtime talk: "Cooking the Books"

National Library of Ireland, Dublin 1-1.45pm

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 Using "WikiTree"

 Public Records Office, Northern Ireland (PRONI), 1pm-2pm

Anne Johnston will deliver an introduction to WikiTree, a free genealogy website that maintains over 17 million ancestral profiles. More information available here.

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“From the Cradle to the Grave”: The Work of the Sanitary Officer.

Dungarvan Harbour Sailing Club, Dungarvan,  8pm

A talk by J. Rothwell, Waterford City and County Archivist for Waterford County Museum Society

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Thursday 28th November

 "A Beginner's guide to using DNA for family history"

 Public Records Office, Northern Ireland (PRONI), 1pm-2pm

Martin McDowell will take you on a whirlwind tour through the  brave new world of DNA. More information available here. 

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"Roots: Tracing your Family History"

RCSI, Library Information Point, 1pm

A talk for staff and students with RCSI Archivist Leanne Harrington

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"Exploring Land, Mapping and Property Records in Ireland"

Property Registration Authority of Ireland, 2.30pm - 6pm

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 Friday 29th November

 Launch of New Online Records at PRONI

 Public Records Office, Northern Ireland (PRONI), 11am-3pm

The event will feature a series of presentations and demonstrations showcasing digitized records that will be available online. More information available here.

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Derry City and Strabane: "Exploring Archive & Genealogy Collections"

Central Libary, Derry, 12pm-4pm

The Archive & Genealogy service is responsible for the preservation, interpretation and creation of access to the civic records of the Council and its predecessor, the Londonderry Corporation. Click here for more information.

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1st-30th November

Three month-long exhibitions

Donegal County Archives

Donegal County Archives is celebrating its 20th year in 2019. As part of the celebrations for Explore Your Archive 2019 and for the 20 year anniversary, the Archives Service is touring some of its exhibitions at Co. Donegal’s public service centres and other public spaces.

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"Celebrating 120 Years of the History of Irish Local Government/ Ag ceiliúradh stair Rialtas Áitiúil na hÉireann"

The bi-lingual exhibition curated by the Local Government Archivists and Records Managers explores the history and significance of local democracy in Ireland; it is touring local public service centres and is currently (Nov 2019) in Donegal town Public Service Centre.

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"A Trek through Time: Images from Donegal County Archives/ Turas tríd an stair : Íomhánna as Cartlann Contae Dhún na nGall"

This exhibition focuses on images and stories from Co. Donegal’s history, as reflected in some of its major Archives collections. The exhibition consists of twelve panels:  Arts & the Archives; Donegal Grand Jury; The Railways of Co. Donegal; Schools & Schooling in Co. Donegal; The Joseph Murray Collection; The Workhouses of Donegal; The GAA in Co. Donegal; Exotic and Eccentric Donegal; Donegal Archives of Emigration; Maps of Donegal; Elections & the Electorate; Ladies of Donegal. The exhibition is touring the county and is currently in Milford Public Service Centre.

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‘Traditional Boats of Ireland’– The Dónal Mac Polin Collection

Boatbuilder and artist Donal MacPolin donated his entire lifework of beautiful illustrations and drawings, photographs and documentation on traditional boatbuilding, to Donegal County Archives in 2018. The County Museum in Letterkenny is currently displaying the archive of illustrations in its downstairs gallery.

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October 2019

EYA Hashtags have been announced! Get planning and then get ready to get sharing during EYA 2019!

23/11     #SweetArchives              

Share something sweet – in taste or temperament – from your collections. And yes! #Archive Cake welcome!!!

24/11     #HairyArchives                

Back by (un)popular demand – share something hairy!

25/11     #FriendlyArchives           

Are you a friendly neighbourhood archivist? Celebrate friendliness in the sector and in your collections!

26/11     #SurprisingArchives      

Share something we wouldn’t expect to see in your collection!

27/11     #ActionArchives             

From physical movement to moving image, share action-inspired archives!

28/11     #ArchivesAtSea               

If nautical nonsense is something you wish, then share your best sea-worthy archives!

29/11     #MysteriousArchives     

Sometimes being an archivist requires some real detective work. Share your most mysterious material!

30/11     #ArchiveVoices               

Amplify the many voices present in your archive by sharing examples of language, diverse voices, and sound archives.

01/12     #WildArchives                 

Share something WILD from your collections!

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"As a writer, broadcaster and academic I have drawn immense benefit and pleasure from accessing archives throughout my professional career, and would love more people to discover and embrace these wonderful assets. In a world of fake news, social injustice, and unequal access to education, archives and the professionals who work to preserve and make them accessible are more important than ever" 

EYA 2020 Ambassador Emma Dabiri

Journalist and Presenter Anne Cassin, 2018 EYA Ambassador for ARA Ireland

(Photo Credit: Marc O'Sullivan)