This post highlights items from smaller collections across a range of subjects dating from the eighteenth to the twentieth century.

1   Atlas of Anatomical Drawings (1859)

Printed in 1859 in Dublin, this Atlas of Anatomical Drawings presents the work of Wilson, Carpenter and other medical educators of the nineteenth century. The volume includes 28 detailed coloured plates displaying anatomical drawings, each corresponding to a handwritten description earlier in the volume.

The volume was donated to the library by Professor Seán and Mrs Frances Lavelle. It provides a striking example of how anatomy was taught in nineteenth century.

1    Wheatstone’s Harmonic Diagram (1824)

Sir Charles Wheatstone was a physicist and inventor best known for his invention of the “Wheatstone Bridge,” an electrical circuit used to measure unknown electrical resistance. Alongside his work in physics, Wheatstone was also involved in the world of music, selling, repairing and even inventing musical instruments.

Wheatstone created this ‘Harmonic Diagram’ in 1824. The device uses a rotating wheel turned by a red ribbon around a central ivory pin to reveal relationships between major and minor keys and the sharps and flats in their key signatures. The degrees of each scale are shown by the numbers at the edge of the wheel.

In this image, the key of A major is shown, and the three sharps in the key signature appear through the small window.

1    Ration Book and Rationing Records (1943-1951)

Issued by the Department of Industry and Trade in 1951, this unused ration book belonged to Kathleen Joyce of Galway. Inside, printed instructions explain how to use coupons for goods like bread, sugar, flour, butter and tea.

In 1943, the Department of Supplies issued a pamphlet titled, Leaflet explanatory of clothes and footwear rationing, describing clothing allowances for men, women and children. This item is accompanied by a retailer’s record sheet from 1946, used to track stock and sales of flour and bread.

1    Éire an tSeana Shaoghail (1918)

Published in 1918, Éire an tSeana Shaoghail lists the feast days of the Irish saints. The text is presented as a facsimile of calligraphy and is decorated with striking illustrations and designs, protected by a floral tissue page inside the cover.

1     Moll’s Map of Connacht (1728)

In 1728, cartographer Herman Moll produced an Atlas of Ireland using ink and colour washes. Moll’s maps are valued for their accuracy and artistry as the first maps to precisely depict Ireland's road network. This archive includes Moll's maps of Connacht, Galway, Clare and Limerick.

Treasures of the O’Gorman Special Collection 

Blog Series - Volume 5

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’Gorman Collection donated to the University of Galway.

This blog post will highlight some of the unique and important items by Lady Gregory with the O’Gorman Collection.

Previous edition of the Treasures of the O'Gorman Special Collection

• William Butler Yeats
• James Joyce
• A Selection of Literature
• Seamus Heaney

Literature by Lady Gregory

The Golden Apple: A Play for Kiltartan Children

By Lady Gregory ; illustrated by Margaret Gregory

There are four copies of this text written by Lady Gregory in this collection.

Each copy is in very good condition. One copy features Lady Gregory’s bookplate. Another features its original dust jacket and is also signed by Lady Gregory.

Other previous owners include Colin Smythe, Inona Guthrie, and Arabella Waithman.

Originally published in 1916.

On The Racecourse: A Play in One Act

First edition

First edition copy of Lady Gregory’s play “On the Racecourse”.

Published in 1926.

On the Racecourse

The Kiltartan Wonder Book

By Lady Gregory ; illustrated by Margaret Gregory

There are two copies of this text written by Lady Gregory in this collection.

One copy features a note written and signed by Lady Gregory, dated the 21^st of August [1913].

Published in the early 20^th century, date of publication unknown.

My First Play by Lady Gregory

My First Play

Limited edition

This edition consists of 530 copies numbered and signed by the author, numbers 1 to 500 being for sale and numbers 501 to 530 for presentation.

Published in 1930.

Visions and Beliefs in the West of Ireland

By Lady Gregory, featuring handwritten note by W.B. Yeats

These volumes contain local folklore and legends from the west of Ireland, as collected by Lady Gregory and W.B. Yeats. Volume one is inscribed by W.B. Yeats with the following: "For wisdom is a butterfly and not a gloomy bird of prey / WB Yeats, May 16 1920."

Volume one and two of visions and beliefs in the West of Ireland is available in this collection.

Published in 1920.

Visions and Beliefs in the West of Ireland

Coole

Limited edition

Limited edition publication by Lady Gregory. Completed from the manuscript and edited by Colin Smythe with a foreword by Edward Malins. End papers are from an engraving of a cross-section of Coole House in 1749.

Published in 1971.

Signed volume by Lady Gregory

Hugh Lane's Life and Achievement, with Some Account of the Dublin Galleries

First edition

There are three first edition volumes of this text by Lady Gregory available in the collection. One copy is inscribed and signed by Lady Gregory to Hugh Lane’s nephew: “To Paddy Starkey, in memory of his friend Hugh Lane - with very kind regards from the writer I. Gregory - March 17, 1921."

The second copy is also signed and inscribed by Lady Gregory: "To Mona Gough, Coole, April 11 1921. This book will remind you, dear Mona, of days when Hugh has stayed with you - days very pleasant ... Gregory."

Published around 1921.

Volume featuring Lady Gregory's bookplate

Case for the return of Sir Hugh Lane's pictures to Dublin

Signed edition

In this volume, Lady Gregory details the status of Sir Hugh Lane’s works and why these should be returned to Dublin. This volume is signed by Lady Gregory.

Published in 1926.

Our Irish Theatre: A Chapter of Autobiography

Signed edition

Our Irish Theatre explores the history of Irish theatre including exploration of the impact of “Playboy of the Western World” and works by Synge. This volume is signed by Lady Gregory.

Published in 1914.

Literature about Lady Gregory

In defence of Lady Gregory, playwright

Signed edition

This volume written and signed by Ann Saddlemyer with the inscription.

This volume also has an ink stamp mark from W.M. Hart, a former owner of the book.

Published in 1966.

In Defence of Lady Gregory, Playwright by Ann Saddlemyer

J.M. Synge and Lady Gregory

Revised edition

Periodical on the publications and literary works by J.M. Synge and Lady Gregory as well as examination of the literature being written and developed in Ireland from the 1890s onwards.

Published in 1969.

All This Mine Alone: Lady Gregory & the Irish literary revival

Exhibition booklet

Booklet accompanying exhibition at the New York Public Library about the life of Lady Gregory.

Published in 2020.

Kiltartan Wonderbook

Some Letters of John M. Synge to Lady Gregory and W. B. Yeats

Limited edition

A selection of letters written by John M. Synge to Lady Gregory and W.B. Yeats selected by Ann Saddlemyer. Five hundred copies of this book have been printed on paper made in Ireland and published at the Cuala Press.

This copy is number 346 of 500.

Published in 1971.

Catalogue of printed books formerly in the library at Coole: the property of the Lady Gregory estate: days of sale, Monday, 20th March, 1972, Tuesday, 21st March, 1972

Sotheby sale catalogue

Auction catalogue for books being sold at auction by Sotheby's from Lady Gregory's collection at Coole House.

Published in 1972.

Seoda ó Bhailiúchán Speisialta O’Gorman

The Golden Apple: A Play for Kiltartan Children

Le Lady Gregory; arna mhaisiú ag Margaret Gregory

Tá ceithre chóip den téacs seo le Lady Gregory sa bhailiúchán seo.

Tá riocht an-mhaith ar gach ceann acu. Tá leabharshuaitheantas Lady Gregory ar chóip amháin acu. Tá an forchlúdach bunaidh ar cheann eile acu agus í sínithe ag Lady Gregory.

I measc úinéirí eile an leabhair airíodh Colin Smythe, Inona Guthrie, agus Arabella Waithman.

Foilsíodh den chéad uair é in 1916.

On The Racecourse: A Play in One Act

Céad Eagrán

Cóip den chéad eagrán de dhráma Lady Gregory ‘On The Racecourse’.

Foilsithe in 1926.

On the Racecourse

The Kiltartan Wonder Book

Le Lady Gregory; arna mhaisiú ag Margaret Gregory

Tá dhá chóip den leabhar seo le Lady Gregory sa bhailiúchán seo.

Tá nóta lámhscríofa agus sínithe ag Lady Gregory dar dáta 21 Lúnasa [1913] ar cheann acu.

Foilsíodh ag tús an fichiú haois é, ach níltear cinnte maidir leis an dáta foilseacháin.

My First Play by Lady Gregory

My First Play

Eagrán teoranta

Foilsíodh 530 cóip den eagrán seo, agus iad uimhrithe agus sínithe ag an údar; cuireadh uimhir 1 go 500 ar díol, agus coinníodh uimir 501 go 530 le haghaidh a mbronnta. 

Foilsithe in 1930.

Visions and Beliefs in the West of Ireland

Le Lady Gregory, agus nóta lámhscríofa le W.B. Yeats air

Béaloideas agus finscéalta áitiúla ó iarthar na hÉireann a bhailigh Lady Gregory agus W.B. Yeats  atá sna himleabhair seo. Tá an nóta lámhscríofa seo le W.B. Yeats ar Imleabhar a hAon: “For wisdom is a butterfly and not a gloomy bird of prey / WB Yeats, May 16 1920.”

Tá imleabhar a haon agus a dó de Visions and Beliefs in the West of Ireland ar fáil sa bhailiúchán seo.

Foilsithe in 1920.

Visions and Beliefs in the West of Ireland

Coole

Eagrán teoranta

Foilseachán eagráin teoranta le Lady Gregory. Ba é Colin Smythe a chuir i gcrích é ón lámhscríbhinn agus a rinne eagarthóireacht air, agus Edward Malins a scríobh an brollach. Is as greanadh de thrasghearradh de Theach na Cúile in 1749 a rinneadh na bileoga ceangail.

Foilsithe in 1971.

Signed volume by Lady Gregory

Hugh Lane's Life and Achievement, with Some Account of the Dublin Galleries

Céad eagrán

Tá trí chóip d’imleabhar céad eagráin an téacs seo le Lady Gregory sa bhailiúchán. Scríobh Lady Gregory an méid seo a leanas do nia Hugh Lane ar cheann de na cóipeanna agus shínigh sí í: “To Paddy Starkey, in memory of his friend Hugh Lane - with very kind regards from the writer I. Gregory - March 17, 1921.”

Tá an dara cóip sínithe ag Lady Gregory chomh maith agus an tíolacadh seo uirthi: “To Mona Gough, Coole, April 11 1921. This book will remind you, dear Mona, of days when Hugh has stayed with you - days very pleasant ... Gregory.”

Foilsithe thart ar 1921.

Volume featuring Lady Gregory's bookplate

Case for the return of Sir Hugh Lane's pictures to Dublin

Eagrán sínithe

Tugann Lady Gregory sonraí san imleabhar seo faoin stádas a bhí ag bailiúchán ealaíne Sir Hugh Lane, agus cuireann sí síos ar na cúiseanna ar cheart iad a thabhairt ar ais go Baile Átha Cliath. Tá an t-imleabhar seo sínithe ag Lady Gregory.

Foilsithe in 1926.

 
Our Irish Theatre: A Chapter of Autobiography

Eagrán sínithe

Déantar cíoradh in Our Irish Theatre ar stair na hamharclannaíochta in Éirinn, agus san áireamh leis tá iniúchadh ar an tionchar a bhí ag ‘Playboy of the Western World’ agus ag saothair eile Synge. Tá an t-imleabhar seo sínithe ag Lady Gregory.

Foilsithe in 1914.

Litríocht faoi Lady Gregory

In defence of Lady Gregory, playwright

Eagrán sínithe

Ba í Ann Saddlemyer a scríobh agus a shínigh an leabhar seo agus tá inscríbhinn ann.

Tá marc stampa dúigh ar an leabhar chomh maith ó W.M. Hart, ar iar-úinéir an leabhair é.

Foilsithe in 1966.

In Defence of Lady Gregory, Playwright by Ann Saddlemyer

J.M. Synge and Lady Gregory

Eagrán leasaithe

Tréimhseachán maidir le foilseacháin agus saothair litríochta J.M. Synge agus Lady Gregory chomh maith le léiriú ar an litríocht a bhí á scríobh agus á forbairt in Éirinn ó na 1890idí ar aghaidh.

Foilsithe in 1969.

All This Mine Alone: Lady Gregory & the Irish literary revival

Leabhrán taispeántais

Leabhrán a ullmhaíodh do thaispeántas faoi shaol Lady Gregory i Leabharlann Phoiblí Nua-Eabhrac.

Foilsithe in 2020.

Kiltartan Wonderbook

Some Letters of John M. Synge to Lady Gregory and W. B. Yeats

Eagrán teoranta

Rogha litreacha a scríobh John M. Synge chuig Lady Gregory agus W.B. Yeats arna roghnú ag Ann Saddlemyer. Tá cúig chéad cóip den leabhar seo curtha i gcló ag Cuala Press ar pháipéar a rinneadh in Éirinn.

Uimhir 346 as 500 an chóip seo.

Foilsithe in 1971.

Catalogue of printed books formerly in the library at Coole: the property of the Lady Gregory estate: days of sale, Monday, 20th March, 1972, Tuesday, 21st March, 1972

Catalóg díolacháin Sotheby

Catalóg ceant do leabhair ó bhailiúchán Lady Gregory i dTeach na Cúile a chuir Sotheby’s ar ceant.

Foilsithe in 1972.

Last week marked an exciting reunion for the special collections team. Our copy of An Tiomna Nuadh, the 1602 Irish translation of The New Testament, returned to us after undergoing extensive restoration and repair at the Muckross Bookbindery in Killarney.

An Tiomna Nuadh was donated to the library on 12^th of July 2019 by the Ó Dálaigh family from Athlone. To mark the significance of the donation of such a rare and old book, the library held an event attended by the Ó Dálaigh family (pictured below). Local Librarian, Rory Ó hAodha spoke at the event about Uilleam Ó Domhnaill’s role in publishing the book.

An Tiomna Nuadh arrived here in very poor condition. With pages coming apart and others damaged by bookworm, it was entrusted to the care of Paul Curtis in the Muckross Bindery and Paper Conservation Workshop, where it remained for five years. While the pandemic accounted for some of that time, much of the delay reflected the delicate, specialist nature of this project.

    Before                                                                                                              After

Paul travelled to view other surviving copies of the book so he could replicate the original binding style as accurately as possible. Each page was repaired individually and then sewn onto cords of twine- a technique used in medieval bookbinding.

By the time it was printed in 1602, An Tiomna Nuadh had been over 30 years in the making. From 1567-1587, it passed through the hands of many translators, after which the project was abandoned for six years. Uilliam Ó Domhnaill resumed the work in 1593 and, almost 10 years later, the book was printed in Dublin.

The exact number of copies printed is unknown but expected to be in the hundreds. In a 2019 survey of the surviving copies, Fearghus Ó Fearghail located 39 copies of An Tiomna Nuadh across libraries in Ireland, the UK, Europe, the United States, and some copies in private hands. Ó Fearghail, however, was not aware of our acquisition when he wrote the article, so that makes ours copy number 40.

At over 400 years old, An Tiomna Nuadh is a hugely important part of our special collections, and we are delighted to have it back in the library in a much more stable condition.

Repairs on some particularly damaged pages

1. Before and after

2. Repaired insect damage

3. Before and after

We will be posting about An Tiomna Nuadh and other items from our special collections and archives as part of the Explore Your Archives campaign (29^th November-7^th December).

Keep an eye on our Bluesky account (@UniofGalwayASC). You might discover a library treasure you never knew existed!

The Ó Dálaigh family with Rory Ó hAodha and John Cox, then University Librarian