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Oral History Collections

Kildare Local Studies has a significant oral history collection which is accessible to researchers at Kildare County Archives and Local Studies, 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.

Irish Life & Lore Series 

  • The Kildare Collection was commissioned by Kildare County Council in 2009. There is a catalogue of 34 recordings including a list of interviewees and description of each interview available through this link Kildare Collection Irish Life&Lore
  • Kildare & 1916 comprises 7 recordings featuring descendants of those from County Kildare with direct links to the 1916 Rising.
  • The Bord na Móna Collection A catalogue of 28 recordings that includes several Kildare interviewees is available to read at Bord na Móna Collection
  • Horse Racing Ireland Collection explores the world of horse-racing, including owners, 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 collections available in Kildare Local Studies include A Century of Change, the Big House, 1916 Collection and others. Search the library catalogue here

Save our Stories

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

South Kildare Oral History Collection

This collection includes over sixty interviews commissioned by Kildare Library Service in the 1980s. The interviews were conducted by local historian William Kelly with individuals from rural South Kildare including Athy district, Ballitore, Castledermot, Curragh, and Narraghmore. Folklore, historic events and social history all feature. The collection has been transcribed.

Joe Dunne Newbridge Oral History Collection

A valuable collection of recordings by 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's death in 1996. A booklet summarising each of the over 40 tapes compiled by Niall O'Hanlon titled "My Times In Newbridge" accompanies the collection.

Miscellaneous Collections 

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

Recorders available for Oral History Projects

Local Studies has a limited number of recorders available to loan to local groups and historians with the permission of the Local Studies Librarian.

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