This exhibition presents a selection of Irish language manuscripts held in UCD Library Special Collections.
It includes the single unique autograph copy of the 17th century Leabhar na nGenealach or The Book of Irish Genealogies, copies of the seminal text Foras Feasa ar Éirinn from 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a selection of 19th century poetry miscellanies as well as items in the hand of the Ó Longáin scribal family and manuscripts collected by and written by Patrick Ferriter.
The exhibition, curated by Dr. Meidhbhín Ní Úrdail of the UCD School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore, showcases a selection of Irish manuscripts which bear witness to the tenacity of the Irish scribal tradition that continued well into the twentieth century. A central element of this tradition, Dr. Ní Úrdail argues, was the Gaelic script itself.
The exhibition booklet contains a catalogue of the items in the exhibition as well as information on the themes which inform the exhibition’s narrative.
The exhibition can be viewed in the Special Collections Reading Room until mid-April.
Visitors to UCD should contact special.collections@ucd.ie for details about access / opening hours.