Introduction

The Dublin and Irish Collections are an important resource for local history studies. The library holds an extensive range of books relating to Dublin and Ireland to which are regularly added new publications. In addition to imprints from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries we also hold a considerable collection of older material of which the Gilbert Collection, comprising material from 16th to 18th centuries, forms the nucleus.

Other outstanding resources include the Dix Collection of mainly 17th and 18th century Dublin and Irish imprints, the Yeats Collection, the Children’s Book Collection and imprints of publishers such as the Dun Emer and Cuala Press.

The Dublin Collection holds material relevant to Dublin City including books, newspapers and journals, photographs, maps, prints, drawings, theatre programmes, playbills, posters, ballad sheets, political cartoons, audio-visual material and ephemera. A collection of Thom’s Dublin street directories and other Dublin and Irish directories is also maintained.

Housed alongside the Dublin Collection, the Irish Collection extends to subjects of national interest and includes books and other materials relating to Ireland, by Irish authors, or in the Irish language. The collection includes available published sources for Irish genealogy and family history.

The Reading Room

The Reading Room is located on the first floor, Dublin City Library & Archive, Pearse Street. Readers wishing to consult manuscripts or early printed books are advised to request them in advance.

Contact Details

Dublin and Irish Collections
Dublin City Library & Archive
138 - 144 Pearse Street
Dublin 2

Tel: +353 - 1 - 6744999
Fax: +353 - 1 - 6744881
E-mail: dublinstudies@dublincity.ie