A large collection of printed books and pamphlets (dating from 1803 to 1965) assembled by Fr. Senan Moynihan OFM Cap. as a personal library. The collection reflects his wide-ranging interest in Irish affairs, particularly during the revolutionary period and mid-twentieth century.
Key themes in the collection include:
Irish Language and Culture: A significant portion of the collection consists of publications by the Gaelic League (Conradh na Gaeilge), advocating for the preservation and promotion of the Irish language in education and daily life. Authors include Daniel Corkery, Mary E.L. Butler, and Douglas Hyde.
Irish History and Politics: The collection features many books relating to Irish history, such as a publication on the 1916 Rising by Fred Arthur MacKenzie, an overview of Daniel O’Connell’s life, and journals of historical and archaeological societies.
Irish Literature and Poetry: Several items focus on Irish literature and poetry, including works by Fr. Matthew Russell, Arthur Perceval Graves, and John M. Synge.
Other items include a catalogue for an Irish Red Cross fundraising auction, a work by Irish entertainer Val Vousden, and a report of the Oireachtas (Irish literary festival) proceedings from 1897.
The collection provides insight into the cultural, political, and historical landscape of Ireland during the period it covers, with a strong emphasis on the Irish language revival movement. The library is also broadly indicative of Fr. Senan’s eclectic interest in Irish history (particularly the revolutionary period), church history, antiquities, the Irish language and literature, Gaelic culture, historiography, and the contemporary political and economic situation in Ireland during his lifetime.
Many items listed below contain links to digital copies held by external repositories such as the National Library of Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, the Internet Archive, and HathiTrust Digital Library.
