Local Studies:

Contact Local Studies by telephone on 059 9129705 or by e-mail to [email protected]

The County Archive is not open to the public but all materials can be consulted in the Local Studies area. Prior appointment is advised to access archival materials.The Archives Page lists archival material available for research. These include the Carlow County Library Photographic Archive, The Burton collection, Maps and Minute Books, Archives of Carlow Grand Jury and a catalogue of small private collections.

COVID-19 Diary & Time Capsule

Carlow County Council Library Service have today (May 29th) released details of how they hope to capture the living history of the COVID-19 period in the county using a COVID Time Capsule form. Children, young people and adults are asked to fill out the form and return it to the County Library and Archives Service where it will be stored in archival boxes and under the correct preservation conditions for the next 25 years.

County Librarian, John Shortall says “We are living through extraordinary and challenging times at the moment and it is vital that the thoughts, feelings and experiences of the people and children of County Carlow are captured and preserved for future generations to come.” He continues “The forms will be stored in the County Archive and will provide a snapshot of the history we are currently experiencing. Once opened in 25 years, many of the children and young people who participate will have children of their own and reviewing the Time Capsule documentation is an exciting prospect we can all look forward to.”

The forms are based on a template from Long Creations and the Library Service ask for details such as photographs, special memories, how you passed the time and things to remember to be recorded. All submissions will be safely and confidentially archived for 25 years. All material will be quarantined after receipt as per public health guidelines. The closing date for receipt of completed forms is October 31st, 2020.

The Time Capsule forms, one for children and one for adults and young people are available for download at www.carlowlibraries.ie or www.carlow.ie . If you would like a form posted to you, email [email protected] or phone 059 912 9705. They also form part of the Age Friendly packs being distributed by Carlow Age Friendly Network and are included in each Bag of Books delivered by the Library Service in partnership with the Carlow Community Call Service and Carlow Volunteer Centre.

Download the COVID-19 Diary & Time Capsule Form for children here.

Download the COVID-19 Diary & Time Capsule Form for young people and adults here.

Carlow County Library Newspaper Archive

The Department holds an extensive newspaper collection on microfilm and/or in hard copy. These include the Nationalist and Leinster Times, Carlow Sentinal, Carlow People, Carlow Morning Post, Finns Leinster Journal, Irish Times and more. To book an appointment on a microfilm machine phone 059 9129712. Since 2017 Carlow Library Service has subscribed to the Irish Newspaper Archives online service. It is the world’s largest online database of Irish newspapers from which it is possible to search, retrieve and view Ireland’s past in the exact format in which it was originally published. The service is available in the Local Studies Department or from any public access PC in all library branches.

Periodical Collection:

The Local Studies Department also has a wide range of Irish and Local Periodicals which are all available for reference. Titles include:

• Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland
• Irish Historical Studies
• The Irish Sword
• Irish Economic and Social History Review

Locally published titles include Carloviana; a number of annual journals from villages around County Carlow as well as back editions of non-current titles like Carlow Past and Present.

Map Collection:

Maps also form an important part of the Local Studies Collection. Holdings include:

• Down Survey Barony and Civil Parish maps with terriers of County Carlow (1654)
• Ordnance Survey 6″ maps of County Carlow (1839 & 1879)
• Ordnance Survey Large Scale 5 foot town maps for Carlow, Muinebheag and Tullow (1873)
• Archaeological Survey maps with index volume of County Carlow (OPW 1986)

Other Collection:

• Tyndall Collection: An important collection made up of books from various bequests either by or about John Tyndall, the famous Co. Carlow born scientist.
• Genealogical Sources: Include indexes to Parish Baptisms and Marriages for Roman Catholic Parishes in County Carlow
• Tithe Applotment Records: on microfilm with some in hard copy for County Carlow
• Griffith’s Valuation: for County Carlow with some areas of County Laois bordering Carlow in hard copy and accompanying maps
• Census: 1901 and Census 1911 for County Carlow on microfilm
• Thom’s Directory: dating from some decades of the 19th Century
• Carlow Schools Folklore: on microfilm from 1937-38
• Irish Life and Lore: Carlow Collection
• Ephemera: includes Domestic and Commercial Property Development brochures from the 1980s and a comprehensive collection of posters and other materials from a range of business, cultural and sporting organisations and past events around County Carlow

Online Resources:

The Ask about Ireland website is full of interesting information from many different public libraries, museums and archives throughout Ireland including Carlow. Many different areas of Irish history and culture have been examined in detail with a strong emphasis on the local history for each area. Carlow County Library has so far been involved in nine main areas: Architecture, Poor Law Union, Transport, Sport, Carlow Artists, Carlow Writers, Folklore and Carlow in 1798.

Class & Group Visits:

Reservations will now be taken from teachers and lecturers for class/group visits to the Local Studies Department of Carlow Central Library. Students will be shown the wide variety of Local Studies sources on offer and will be given general guidance in their use. Students preparing for their Leaving Cert Special Topic will find this especially useful as will history students in third level colleges at undergraduate or postgraduate level. Groups of Adult Learners are also very welcome. All of these introductory programmes are free of charge. Reservations to 059 9129705; by email to [email protected] or by calling to the main issue desk in Carlow Central Library.

Reservations will now be taken from teachers and lecturers for class/group visits to the Local Studies Department of Carlow Central Library. Students will be shown the wide variety of Local Studies sources on offer and will be given general guidance in their use. Students preparing for their Leaving Cert Special Topic will find this especially useful as will history students in third level colleges at undergraduate or postgraduate level. Groups of Adult Learners are also very welcome. All of these introductory programmes are free of charge. Reservations to 059 9129705; by email to [email protected] or by calling to the main issue desk in Carlow Central Library.