Irish Language Material

Titlepage of the first book to be printed in Ireland in the Irish language, Aibidil Gaoidheilge, & Caiticiosma..., Dublin, 1571

The amount of material published in the Irish language was quite limited until the second half of the 19th century. Much of the early material was published to promote religion. The Library has a copy of the first book published in Irish in Ireland, the Abidil Gaoidheilge agus Caiticiosma, printed in Dublin in 1571.

Among the 17th-century holdings are first editions of the Bible and Book of Common Prayer in Irish but Roman Catholic items printed in Irish in continental Europe are also held. During the 17th century research interests developed in Irish materials and the publications of the Irish Archaeological Society and the Irish Texts Society are in the collections. Notable among 20th-century publications are a full set of works produced by Sairséal agus Dill and Cathal Ó Sandair’s own set of the popular works that he produced in the 1950s.