Blog Series
Welcome to the RDS Library & Archives Blog Series! The collections contain a wide range of fascinating records, including corporate papers, scientific documents, letters, photos and artworks. Many of these records have been digitised and are available on the RDS Digital Archive. In this series, we will explore the collections, highlight interesting aspects of the history of the RDS and uncover some hidden gems. The blogs will be written by a variety of people, including volunteers, researchers and RDS staff. Blogs will be published periodically over the coming months.
Signatures and Sonatas: An Exploration of the RDS Concert Archive
Faye Mellon, RDS Library & Archives Volunteer, discusses the recently digitised RDS Concert Archive. My name is Faye, and I’m in my third year studying History and Irish at Trinity College Dublin. For the past few weeks, I’ve been doing volunteer work in the RDS Library & Archives. I have had the amazing opportunity to learn about cataloguing and digitisation methods, and as part of that I was able to see many of the RDS’ archives materials first hand. One particularly … Read More
John Tyndall: The "Xcentric" Irish Scientist
Ava Dowdall, RDS Library & Archives Volunteer, sheds light on the life and letters of the Irish scientist John Tyndall. As a history student, it can be difficult to figure out a career path related to history, and it can take some time to figure out what opportunities are available to you. Throughout October and November, I have been volunteering at the RDS Library & Archives one day a week. This volunteering has been a fantastic chance to learn about the kind of work an … Read More
The Letters of George Francis Fitzgerald
Sarah Wall, RDS Library & Archives Volunteer, discusses her experience of cataloguing letters sent from W.G. Bond to George Francis Fitzgerald. Hi, my name is Sarah, and I am in my third year of studying history and political science in Trinity College Dublin. I decided to apply for work experience in the RDS Library & Archives as I wanted to explore archiving as a potential avenue for when I graduate. I was interested in seeing the other side of source materials which I use for … Read More
From Dublin to the Nile: Lawrence E. Steele's Life and Legacy
Hugh Grogan, RDS Library & Archives Volunteer, discusses his experience of cataloguing the collections of Egyptologist, Lawrence E. Steele. My name is Hugh Grogan, and I’m a History and English student at Trinity College Dublin. From September to November this year, I volunteered at the RDS Library & Archives. During this period, I was engaged in cataloguing the library’s large collection of glass plate negatives belonging to the Egyptologist, Lawrence Edward Steele. Steele, born … Read More
Dublin Horse Show Collection
RDS Digital Archivist Nessa Lyons discusses the Dublin Horse Show collections on the Digital Archive. The Dublin Horse Show is one of the oldest and most renowned equestrian shows in the world. It is a five-day celebration of Ireland’s equestrian tradition, with over 1,500 horses and a prize fund of over €1.3 million. It is also a significant social event, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from Ireland and abroad. As everyone gets caught up in the spectacle of the 2024 … Read More
RDS Celebrates 100 Years at its Ballsbridge Headquarters
RDS Head of Library & Archives Natasha Serne explores the history of Ballsbridge's association with the RDS, to celebrate 100 years of the RDS headquarters at Ballsbridge. Ballsbridge, located on the south side of the city of Dublinbelonged to the historic Pembroke Township, and formed part of the estate of the Earls of Pembroke. It is named for the three-arch stone bridge across the River Dodder, built and owned by the Ball family, a well-known Dublin merchant family in the 1500s and … Read More