Sean Lester diaries donated to DCU Library

(L to R) Dr John Doyle, Mrs Patricia Kilroy, Mr Paul Sheehan, Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski

The family of Sean Lester, one of Ireland's most distinguished diplomats and statesmen, have donated a collection of his diaries, which cover the period 1935 to 1941, to DCU Library.

Sean Lester, an Ulster born member of the Gaelic League, and later Sinn Fein, became Director of Publicity in the the Irish Free State Department of External Affairs in 1925. In 1929 he was made Ireland's permanent representative at the League of Nations in Geneva. He was seconded to the League and became High Commissoner for Danzig from 1933 to 1937. He was Secretary General of the League from 1940 to 1947.

Sean Lester's international career was one of extraordinary eminence for a representative of the newly independent Ireland. His diaries will be invaluable documents for the history of the period.

DCU is extremely grateful to Sean Lester's daughters Ann and Patricia, and the Kilroy and Gageby families for this remarkable gift.

The documents will become publicly available after a period of 5 years.