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Local Studies | Staidéar Áitiúil

Oral History Collections

Kildare Local Studies has a significant oral history collection, accessible to researchers in our premises in Harbour View, Naas (by prior appointment). The collections are in a variety of formats, including audio format (digital or cassette tape), video files and transcriptions of recordings in some instances. Below is a summary of the oral history collections that can be accessed in Kildare Local Studies, by prior appointment.

  1. Irish Life & Lore Series 

  • The Kildare Collection . Commissioned by Kildare County Council in 2009. Catalogue of 34 recordings, including list of interviewees and description of each interview, available through this link Kildare Collection Irish Life&Lore
  • Kildare & 1916. 7 recordings featuring descendants of those from County Kildare with direct links to the 1916 Rising.
  • The Bord na Móna Collection. Catalogue of 28 recordings that includes several Kildare interviewees available to read Bord na Móna Collection
  • Horse-Racing Ireland Collection. This collection explores the world of horse-racing, including owners with jockeys, trainers, stud farm staff and others involved in the horse-racing industry down the years. There are many Kildare interviewees. Horse Racing Ireland Collection
  • Other Irish Life & Lore series collections available in Kildare Local Studies include A Century of Change, the Big House, 1916 Collection and others that are all available to search through the library catalogue here

2. ‘Save our Stories’ Series

This collection was commissioned by Kildare County Council in the 2010s that feature recordings from individuals in communities across County Kildare. The collection features over sixty individual interviews and cover a wide range of topics and geographic areas.

3. William Kelly Oral History Collection

This collection includes over sixty interviews undertaken by the late local historian William Kelly with individuals from rural South Kildare. Individuals from the Athy district, Ballitore, Castledermot, Curragh, Narraghmore and other parts of rural South Kildare feature. Folklore, historic events and social history all feature. The collection has also been transcribed.

4. Joe Dunne Newbridge Oral History Collection

A valuable collection of recordings by long-term Newbridge resident Joe Dunne that is a rich and vast source of information into life in Newbridge in twentieth century Ireland. This collection was deposited with Kildare Local Studies collections following Joe Dunne's death in 1996. A booklet summarising each of the 40+ tapes compiled by Niall O'Hanlon titled "My Times In Newbridge" accompanies the collection.

5. Miscellaneous Collections & Recorders Available For Projects

There are a number of smaller oral history recordings that have been deposited with Kildare Local Studies collections. 

The Local Studies section also has a limited number of recorders available on loan to local groups and historians for project work, with the permission of the Local Studies Librarian.

Please email localhistory@kildarecoco.ie for further information on the oral history collection.