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Welcome to the blog of the Archives and Special Collections of University of Galway Library.

The Archives and Special Collections preserve and make accessible a range of materials which date from the 15th century to the present day. Collections are accessible on-site at the Archives and Special Collections Reading Room, located at the Hardiman Building, and also online through our Digitial Collections online repository.

As well as providing a service to students and staff of the University, Archives and Special Collections strengthen links between the University and the wider community through hosting and partnering in events such as exhibitions and public talks. By acquiring and preserving rare printed and archive material, the service supports scholarship, research, and discovery of our local, national, and international heritage and history.

This blog will give regular updates on the collections, new acquisitions, items of interest, newly digitised materials, as well as updates on access and upcoming special events.

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 11:23:00 +0000

Exhibition - Máirtín Ó Cadhain: Life and Work

Dr. Chris McCann

The 3rd of October 2025 saw the launch of a new bilingual exhibition, Máirtín Ó Cadhain: Life and Work, in the Hardiman Research Building exhibition space. Máirtí Ó Cadhain (1906-1970) was a giant of Irish-language culture, and the exhibition tells his story by weaving together the many strands of his highly accomplished life.

Dr. Chris McCann of Roinn na Gaeilge curated the exhibition with the support of Research Ireland, Iontaobhas Uí Chadhain, and members of the Special Collections team. Amongst other artefacts, it includes Ó Cadhain’s personal possessions and material from the University of Galway archives. Artworks made specially by the artist and poet Laoighseach Ní Choistealbha enhance the exhibition’s storytelling aspect.

Here is a selection of the most noteworthy items on display:

Portrait

The exhibition begins in An Cnocán Glas, Ó Cadhain’s birthplace, with a powerful new portrait by the artist Seán Ó Flaithearta. The portrait was originally created for the book Dúchan (2025) by Colm Ó Cuaig and Charles Dillon. To create the pigment, Ó Flaithearta used samples of clay collected from beside the remains of the house where Ó Cadhain was born and raised. Clay is one of the most fundamental symbols that Ó Cadhain used in his creative work to represent the Irish language and its culture.

First-edition copy of Cré na Cille

Ó Cadhain sent this copy of Cré na Cille to his relatives in An Cnocán Glas, with the order “to be read to Máirtín Beag”, his uncle. Ó Cadhain’s magnum opus attracted widespread attention when first serialised in the Irish Press in 1949, and later published as a book in 1950. “I know,” said Ó Cadhain in 1969, “that the ordinary people, in the west at least, and these are my own people, thoroughly enjoyed Cré na Cille.”

Celtic cross

Ó Cadhain made this beautiful Celtic cross from matchsticks while interned in the Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare, between 1940-44 because of his membership in the IRA. The cross commemorates the death of Siobhán Ní Rodaigh, the sister of Ó Cadhain’s wife Máirín. Making Celtic crosses is a long tradition amongst Republican prisoners.

Academic robes (and evening suit)

Ó Cadhain was a scholar with vast knowledge of the literature and folklore of Ireland and Europe. In 1956 he was appointed Lecturer of Irish by Trinity College, who later made him an Associate Professor in 1967 and Professor in 1969. The robes he would wear for academic business are on display here, as well as an evening suit he would wear on formal occasions.

There is a wealth of other exhibits and information in Máirtín Ó Cadhain: Life and Work which gives new insight for both experts and those encountering this giant of the Irish language for the first time. It is free and open to the public until 22 October 2025. Dr. McCann is working on travelling and digital editions of the exhibition for the months ahead.

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 11:15:00 +0000

Taispeántas - Máirtín Ó Cadhain: Saol agus Saothar

Dr. Chris McCann

Ar an 3 Deireadh Fómhair 2025, seoladh taispeántas dátheangach nua, Máirtín Ó Cadhain: Saol agus Saothar, sa spás taispeántais i bhforhalla Fhoirgneamh Uí Argadáin, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Fathach de chuid chultúr na Gaeilge a bhí sa gCadhnach (1906-1970), agus déanann an taispeántas a scéal a insint tríd na snáitheanna a bhaineann le gnéithe éagsúla dá shaol ildánach a fhí le chéile.

Is é an Dr. Chris McCann, Roinn na Gaeilge, a choimeád an taispeántas le tacaíocht ó Thaighde Éireann, Iontaobhas Uí Chadhain, agus bhaill foirne sna Bailiúcháin Speisialta. I measc neart ábhar eile, cuimsíonn sé sealúchais de chuid an Chadhnaigh agus earraí ó Chartlanna Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Cuireann saothair ealaíne a rinne an t-ealaíontóir agus an file Laoighseach Ní Choistealbha go speisialta go mór le modh scéalaíochta an taispeántais.

Seo rogha de na taispeántáin is suntasaí atá le fáil ann:

An phortráid

Tosaíonn an taispeántas sa gCnocán Glas, baile dúchais an Chadhnaigh, le portráid chumhachtach nua a rinne an t-ealaíontóir Seán Ó Flaithearta. Is le haghaidh an leabhair Dúchan (2025) le Colm Ó Cuaig agus Charles Dillon a rinneadh an phortráid ar dtús. Chun an t-ábhar datha a dhéanamh, d’úsáid an Flaitheartach cré agus créafóg a bhailigh sé timpeall fhothrach an tí inar rugadh agus inar tógadh an Cadhnach. Tá an chré ar na siombailí is bunúsaí a d’úsáid Ó Cadhain chun a theanga agus a chultúr dúchais a léiriú ina shaothar cruthaitheach.

Cóip de chéadchló Cré na Cille

Chuir Ó Cadhain an chóip seo de Cré na Cille chuig a mhuintir sa gCnocán Glas, leis an ordú “le léamh do Mháirtín Beag”, uncail Mháirtín. Bhí mórshaothar an Chadhnaigh go mór i mbéal an phobail nuair a céadfoilsíodh é, mar shraith san Irish Press i rith na bliana 1949 ar dtús agus ansin mar leabhar in 1950. “Tá a fhios agam,” adúirt Ó Cadhain in 1969, “gur thug an gnáthphobal, thiar ar aon nós, agus seo iad mo mhuintir féin, an-taithneamh do Chré na Cille.”

An chros Cheilteach

Rinne Ó Cadhain an chros Cheilteach álainn seo as cipíní le linn dó a bheith imtheorannaithe i gCampa Géibhinn an Churraigh, Co. Chill Dara, idir 1940-44 de bharr ballraíocht a bheith aige san IRA. Comórann an chros bás Shiobháin Ní Rodaigh, deirfiúr Mháirín Bean Uí Chadhain. Seantraidisiún de chuid príosúnaigh Phoblachtacha is ea é crosa Ceilteacha a dhéanamh.

Róbaí acadúla (agus culaith thráthnóna)

Ba scoláire é Máirtín Ó Cadhain a raibh eolas domhain aige ar litríocht agus bhéaloideas na hÉireann agus na hEorpa. Ceapadh é mar léachtóir le Gaeilge i gColáiste na Tríonóide in 1956, rinne an Tríonóid Comhollamh de in 1967 agus rinneadh Ollamh de in 1969. Tá róbaí a chaitheadh sé le haghaidh gnó acadúil ar taispeáint anseo, mar aon le culaith thráthnóna a chaitheadh sé ar ócáidí foirmiúla.

Tá neart ábhar agus eolais eile in Máirtín Ó Cadhain: Saol agus Saothar trína bhfaighidh idir shaineolaithe agus dhaoine ar bheagán eolais ar an gCadhnach léargas nua ar dhuine d’fhathaigh mhóra na Gaeilge. Tá sé saor in aisce agus oscailte don phobal go dtí an 22 Deireadh Fómhair 2025. Tá sé i gceist ag an Dr. McCann dul ar camchuairt leis an taispeántas, mar aon le leagan digiteach a dhéanamh de sna míonna atá amach romhainn – coinnigh súil amach.

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 14:46:00 +0000

Treasures of the O’Gorman Special Collection: Seamus Heaney

Treasures of the O’Gorman Special Collection

Blog Series – Volume 4

Seamus Heaney

A literary collection owned by the late entrepreneur, local historian and supporter of the arts, Ronnie O’Gorman, was recently donated to the University of Galway. This collection, spanning three generations of the O’Gorman family, includes countless items of literary and historic value.

To read more about this donation, please see: O’GormanCollection donated to the University of Galway.

Within the collection is an excellent selection of works and poetry volumes by the acclaimed poet Seamus Heaney. This blog post will highlight some of these volumes.

Previous editions of the Treasures of the O’Gorman Special Collection

Poetry

Death of a Naturalist

Heaney’s first poetry collection

The Death of a Naturalist was Seamus Heaney’s first published collection of poetry. Published by Faber & Faber. Hardback and paperback editions are available in the collection. This volume includes the poems: scaffolding, digging, death of a naturalist, and at a potato digging.

Published in 1966.

"Death of a Naturalist"

Door into the Dark

Poetry collection

Heaney’s second poetry collection. This volume is signed by the poet, Seamus Heaney. This volume of poetry includes depictions of rural Ireland and nature poetry.

Published in 1969.

"Door into the Dark"

Field Work

Poetry collection

Poetry collection by Seamus Heaney featuring elegies and love poems. This volume also contains a short series of sonnets exploring individual responsibility, the artist’s commitment to art, and vulnerability of all in relation to circumstance and death.

Published in 1979

North

Poetry collection

Poetry collection by Seamus Heaney. First edition. The paperback edition featured in this collection was published alongside the hardback edition. Poems in this volume feature inspirations from mythology with Irish history and experience being combined with different parts of the Northern European experience.

Published in 1975.

Station Island

Poetry collection

Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. An autobiographical quest is seen in this volume as Heaney’s pilgrim explores the “growth of the poets mind”.

Published in 1984.

The Haw Lantern

Poetry collection

A collection of thirty-one poems by Seamus Heaney, including poems on the topic of loss, allegory and meditations.

Published in 1987.

Electric Light

First edition

There are two first editions of Electric Light by Seamus Heaney in the O’Gorman Collection. One copy is signed by Seamus Heaney on the title page.

Published in 2001.

"Electric Light"

District and Circle

Poetry collection

Poetry collection featuring translated works alongside original new pieces. Themes of these poems include memory and the move to the 21^st century.

Published in 2006.

The Spirit Level

Poetry collection

Poetry collection by Seamus Heaney. This collection was his ninth main collection published by Faber & Faber. This poetry collection features pieces of translation, reworkings of legends, and elegies.

Published in 1996.

"Human Chain"

Human Chain

Seamus Heaney’s twelfth and final poetry collection

Collection of poetry by Seamus Heaney exploring continuities and solidarities, alongside mythological explorations of classics such as the decent into the Underworld in route 110. This collection also features expanded and revised versions of earlier Irish lyrical poems.

This volume is signed by the poet.

Published in 2010.

Anthologies

The Rattle Bag

Edited by Seamus Heaney and Ted Hughes.

Poetry anthology edited and selected by Seamus Heaney and Ted Hughes. This copy is signed and inscribed by Seamus Heaney with a note to the former owner: “To Ronnie and Ragina, rattle on! Seamus Heaney, 8.8.88.”

Published in 1982.

"The Rattle Bag"

The School Bag

Poetry anthology and history by Ted Hughes and Seamus Heaney.

This poetry anthology provides a history and examination of poetry of the British Isles.

This volume is signed by Seamus Heaney.

Published in 1997.

Drama

Beowulf

Translated by Seamus Heaney

New translation of Beowulf by Seamus Heaney. Translated from the Anglo-Saxon. Epic tale of Anglo-Saxon culture, monsters and folklore.

Published in 1999.

"Beowulf"

The Burial at Thebes

Sophocles, translated by Seamus Heaney

Translated edition by Seamus Heaney of Sophocles classic play.

Published in 2004.

Other Literature

The Government of the Tongue

The 1986 T.S. Eliot memorial lectures and other critical writings

Collection of essays by Seamus Heaney examining Irish, British, American and European poets.

Published in 1988.

"A Lough Neagh Sequence"

From the Republic of Conscience

By Seamus Heaney, illustrated by John Behan

This volume was published on Human Rights Day 10 December 1985 in a single printing of 2000 copies. This piece was written in response to an invitation from Amnesty International.

Published in 1985.

'Room to Rhyme'

Seamus Heaney, images by Brigid Collins

'Greatest minds lecture' delivered at the celebration of graduation at the University of Dundee, July 2003.

Published in 2004.

"Spelling it Out"

Spelling it out: in honour of Brian Friel on his 80th birthday

Limited edition publication

Spelling It Out is published first on 9 January 2009 in paperback and in a limited hardback edition of four hundred copies signed by the author of which three hundred are for sale.

Published in 2009.

Seoda ó Bhailiúchán Speisialta O’Gorman