The Special Collections and Archives department in the Glucksman Library at the University of Limerick was established in 1998, and has been working hard behind the scenes to catalogue and digitise a variety of rare books and archival material.
The department blog was launched in December 2018 to provide regular insights into its holdings, and to encourage continuing research and increased engagement with the material in its care.
The department collects and preserves ‘special’ collections of rare books and archival material relating to Limerick and the wider Munster region, as well as some items of national interest. The resources offer boundless opportunities for discovery and original research and are open to all those interested — contact us to begin your research.
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Unique and distinctive
The collections held by the department reflect the unique and distinctive history of UL and its surrounding areas. It holds over 3,000 archive boxes and 80,000 printed works, as well as a number of artefacts. The oldest item in its care dates from the first century — that's almost 2,000 years of history stored in the vaults in the Glucksman Library. -
Teaching and research
The department is passionate about embedding its collections in the university curriculum. It teaches classes and hosts workshops for undergraduate and postgraduate students from a range of disciplines, and encourages researchers both from UL and further afield to use its collections in theses and other research projects. -
External engagement
Based in the University of Limerick, the department is not only part of both the national and international academic and research communities, but is also in a position to engage local communities. Its reading room and exhibitions are open to the public, and it hosts archives and rare books events both on campus and in the city.
Department staff
Ken Bergin | Head, Special Collections and Archives
Dr Kirsten Mulrennan | Manager, Special Collections and Archives
Anna-Maria Hajba | Archivist (Cataloguing)
Lara Artemis | Conservator
Seán Cafferkey | Senior Library Assistant
Diarmuid O’Callaghan | Library Assistant
