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UNESCO Adopts the Universal Declaration on Archives

At a General Conference on 10 November 2011, the United Nations' cultural organisation adopted the Universal Declaration on Archives as prepared by the International Council on Archives (ICA).

Closure at Christmas and New Year 2011 / 2012

Cork City and County Archives will be closed from 5.00pm on Friday 23 December 2011 until 9.00am on Tuesday 3 January 2011.

Brian McGee, Archivist

Dúnta na Nollaig agus na h-Áth Bhliain, 2011 / 2012

Beidh an Cartlann Chathair agus Chontae Chorcaí dúnta ó 5.00pm an lá Dé Aoine 23 Nollaig 2011 go dtí 9.00am an lá Dé Máirt 3 Éanair 2012

Brian MacAodh, Cartlannaí

Launch of Special ISA Journal No.18 Edition on Local Government Archives

Following on from the archives conference on 5 October, that evening the Archives was delighted to welcome the Irish Society for Archives to the Seamus Murphy Building for the launch of a special edition of the Irish Archives journal devoted to Local Government Archives (Edited by Dr. Susan Hood and Elizabeth McEvoy). This publication marks the 40th anniversary of the foundation of the first local authority archive in Ireland, the Cork Archives Council, in 1971, and the development of the sector since that time. To carry out the launch we were delighted to welcome Virginia Teehan of UCC and the Lord Mayor Cllr. Terry Shannon.

You can buy your copy of the Journal No.18 from newsagents and from the Archives. To join the Irish Society for Archives, write to the ISA Membership Secretary, UCD Archives, Belfield, Dublin 4.

 

'Back Where It Began' Local Archives Conference, Cork

On 5 October the Archives hosted a conference entitled ‘Back Where It Began…40 Years of Local Government Archives’.  The conference was organised by CCCA, in association with the Local Authority Archivists Group, to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the first local archives in Ireland, the Cork Archives Council, in 1971.

Following a warm welcome from Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr. Tony Fitzgerald, the morning session of the conference was chaired by Mr. Kevin Terry, Director of Services, Cork City Council.   Our first speaker, Dublin City Archivist Dr. Mary Clarke, outlined developments in local archives services since 1971. Mary has over 3 decades of experience in the area, and her presentation provided an invaluable overview of the sector, past and present.

Grainne Doran, Wexford County Archivist gave a lecture on the range of outreach activities being undertaken by local archives services, such as exhibitions, educational projects, and oral history gathering, while Joanne Rothwell, Waterford County Archivist, briefed delegates about current developments and challenges in the management of current records in local authorities, including electronic records.

The afternoon session, following a welcome from the County Mayor, Cllr. Tim Lombard, was chaired by Dr Donal O’Driscoll of the School of History, UCC. We were delighted to present Catriona Crowe, Head of Special Projects at the National Archives of Ireland, speaking on the topic ‘ Why Invest in Archives Services? ‘.  Recently, Catriona was the manager of the 1901 / 1911 census online project, and she contributes regularly to the broadcast and print media on cultural and historical matters.

Dr. John Borgonovo, lecturer at the School of History, UCC, spoke on his experiences as a historian and user of archives and library services. Dr. Borgonovo recently published his book ‘The Battle for Cork, July –August 1922’.

Rounding off the conference was a lively question and answer session and a discussion on the future of local archives services in Ireland. Following the conference, tours were provided of the new purpose built Cork City and County Archives building that opened in 2006. 

Celebrating Cork's Past Exhibition

City Hall Cork, 29th September.

Download poster for exhibition: Celebrating Corks Past 2011

Culture Night @ Cork City and County Archives

Friday 23 September 2011

From 5pm to 7pm

Archivists were available to offer one to one advice on researching family history, preserving archives, and on using our research facilities.

From 7pm to 9pm

“To Tell It in Song and Story”, An Evening of Old Songs and Stories

With Cork Singers Club

City Hall 75th Anniversary Exhibition

Cork City and County Archives has created an historical exhibition that will be displayed outside the Council Chamber, City Hall on the subject of the 75th anniversary of the building and opening of the City Hall.

Did you know?

• City Hall was formally opened on 8 Sept. 1936 by President of the Executive Council (Taoiseach) Eamon De Valera
• The 1936 City Hall was the first purpose built local government headquarters in the Republic.
• The first meeting of the Council held at the new City Hall was on 23 April 1935….. and the City Council has been meeting there continually since that time
• It was the first purpose built municipal headquarters building in the Republic
• It was the last building of classical design to be built in Ireland
• It was the last building to be constructed of stone in Cork

Location: City Hall, 1st floor landing

Dates: 9 Sept. - 23 Sept

Times: Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm

Visit of Lord Mayor to Archives, 25 August 2011

Lord Mayor Councillor Terry Shannon with Brian McGee, chief Archivist.

1920 Exhibition on Display for Heritage Week 2011

For National Heritage Week 2011, the Archives is displaying our historical exhibition relating to Lord Mayors Tomás MacCurtain and Terence MacSwiney, and the Burning of Cork, in 1920. The exhibition is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday during Heritage Week, and will remain on display until Friday 2 September. Free Admission. Fully Accessible. All Welcome.

Genealogy Workshops for Lifelong Learning Festival 2011 @ Archives

Tues. 12 April, 6pm

Wed. 13 April, 2.30pm

The workshops were given by professional genealogist Rosaleen Underwood, MAPGI. Rosaleen’s presentations on Cork-based, national and online resources are of interest both to beginners and those already embarked on family history research. Many online resources, such as the 1901 and 1911 censuses, have only become available in the last couple of years, and new resources are coming online all the time. Rosaleen brought attendees up to date on what is available, as well as shedding light on important ‘paper’ sources which are often overlooked by those whose main research tool is the internet.

 

40th Anniversary of Cork Archives (1971-2011)

We have come a long way. On 20 April 2011, Cork Archives celebrates 40 years in operation. In 1971 the board of Cork Archives Council, as it was then known, held its inaugural meeting of representatives from Cork City and County Libraries, Cork City Council, Cork County Council, and University College Cork. Soon after an archivist was appointed, and accommodation was secured in the Courthouse. It was the first local authority archives service established in Ireland. To mark this occasion, in October the Archives will be hosting a seminar in Cork on local archives. It is also planned to have a reception at City Hall for all those involved with the Archives over the years. Watch this space!