James Hardiman Library, NUI Galway – A Hub for Irish Theatre Research
The recently announced Digital
Archives Partnership between the James Hardiman Library, NUI Galway and The
Abbey Theatre will add a new and hitherto unprecedented level of digital study
and understanding of the Abbey Theatre Archive. Being the largest digital
theatre archive in the world – of over 1.8million items – this pioneering
project will create a unique multimedia resource for the legacy and tradition
of the Abbey Theatre – the first state-subsidised National Theatre in the
English-speaking world.
This initiative will greatly
increase the possibility for new scholarly research into the traditions and
history of Irish stage writing, design, direction and management. Allied to
this incredible resource are the extensive range of theatre archives also
proudly and currently held by the Archives Service of the James Hardiman
Library, (JHL) NUI Galway.
These theatre collections include
the archives of:
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| Program cover for Synge's 'Playboy' |
Druid
Theatre Company. The archive includes a record of the multi-award winning
theatre company whose roots go back to their time in the then University
College Galway. Druid have been recognised as world leaders in touring and
staging the best of Irish plays and exploring the work of playwrights such as
John M. Synge, John B. Keane, Geraldine Aron, Martin McDonagh and Tom Murphy.
The Druid Theatre archive catalogue can be viewed here: http://archives.library.nuigalway.ie/cgi-bin/FramedList.cgi?T2
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| Thomas Kilroy |
The Thomas Kilroy Archive consists of the papers of the celebrated
playwright, Thomas Kilroy. Famous especially for his epic history plays such as
the 'O'Neill' and, for his relationship with the likes of Field Day Theatre
Company – with his work 'Double Cross' – and also for his time as Literary
Editor at the Abbey Theatre, Kilroy is one of the giants of 20th
Century Irish Theatre. The Kilroy Archive catalogue can be viewed here: http://archives.library.nuigalway.ie/cgi-bin/FramedList.cgi?P103
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| Program from 'San Siobhan' |
The Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe Archive is
the administrative and creative archive of the national Irish Language Theatre
of Ireland. Based in Galway, the Taibhdhearc Archive is a comprehensive record
of the growth of this Irish language movement within theatre and how the
Taibhdhearc has connected and influenced playwrights writing in Irish and also
those translating English language works by Irish and international playwrights
into Irish. The Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe Archive is catalogued and available
for consultation. For information click here
The Lyric Theatre, Belfast Archive is
one of the premier cultural and theatrical venues in the North of Ireland and
it has been so for over half a century. Founded by Mary O'Malley and with the
theatre first based in her home, the Lyric Theatre and Lyric Players would
quickly outgrow their first base and establish itself in the heart of Belfast's
and the North's cultural heart. Mirroring the Abbey in its founding principles,
the Lyric is a theatre of great Yeatsian tradition and offers a detailed
account of administrative and creative records of the theatre but also
unheralded insights into the correspondence and professional relationships of
Mary O'Malley to the theatre community of Ireland. The Lyric Archive catalogue
can be viewed here: http://archives.library.nuigalway.ie/cgi-bin/FramedList.cgi?T4
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| Arthur Shields |
The Arthur Shields Archive consists of
the papers of the actor and revolutionary Arthur Shields. Steeped in the Abbey
tradition, Shields was a regular and one of the much loved members of the Abbey
Company in the 1930's and was part of their many touring productions to the
United States at that time. The papers offer a great insight into the Abbey
Theatre of that time and also a beautiful photographic record of the Abbey, its
U.S. tours and also the personal and private life of Arthur Shields. The
Shields archive catalogue is available here
and the Shields online photographic exhibition can be seen here
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| Siobhan McKenna |
The Siobhan McKenna Archive is the
archive of one the great actresses of the Irish stage. Remembered so specially
for her portrayal of Mommo in Tom Murphy's seminal play, 'Bailegangaire',
McKenna was lauded throughout her life for her work in English and Irish. The
papers offer a view into the life and career of McKenna and documents exactly
why she is so fondly remembered in Irish Theatre. The Siobhan McKenna papers
are catalogued and available for consultation.
The Galway Arts Festival Archive
documents the growth of this festival, again from roots in University College
Galway to a festival for the community and city of Galway through to its
incredible growth in becoming one of the largest annual multi-disciplinary Arts
Festivals in Europe. The Galway Arts Festival is synonymous with exploring
Irish culture, identity and tradition through national and world leaders in the
Arts. The Galway Arts Festival Archive catalogue can be viewed here: http://archives.library.nuigalway.ie/cgi-bin/FramedList.cgi?T5
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