Conradh na Gaeilge Collection

Collection Dates: [c1890-c1960]

Extent: 250+ items

Conradh na Gaeilge is a social and cultural organisation which promotes the Irish language in Ireland and worldwide. 

Also known as the Gaelic League, it was founded in 1893 by Douglas Hyde who was also its first president. The organisation instigated the Gaelic revival and Gaeilgeoir activism. 

As a result of the League, many Irish political leaders and revolutionaries met and became acquainted, influencing the foundation of the Irish Volunteers in 1913. 

After the foundation of the Irish Free State in 1922, the organisation had a less prominent role in public life as Irish was made a compulsory subject in state-funded schools.

This collection contains books, pamphlets and reports from the foundation of Conradh na Gaeilge up to the late 1950s. 

It includes a first edition of An t-Áilleán (1902) by Tadhg Ó Donnchadha, the earliest children’s picture book published in Irish, and a first edition of Smuainte Ar Árainn (1902) by  Agnes O’Farrelly, the first female Irish-language novelist and founding member of Cumann na mBan. Conradh na Gaeilge benefitted from female membership and participation, and a number of women played prominent roles in the organisation.

Many of the pamphlets are written by Máire Ní Chinnéide, Úna Ní Fhaircheallaigh and Máire de Buitléir, members of the early executive of Conradh na Gaeilge.

The collection includes a number of bound volumes and editions of the publication Irisleabhar na Gaedhilge / The Gaelic journal.   

Explore a bilingual digital exhibition highlighting some of the works by the writer Agnes O’Farrelly.