Cultural repository: UCC library builds incredible archive collection         

The acquisition of the Richard Harris archive made the news, but that's just one of the collections UCC Library is gathering. Early manuscripts, as well as photographic and literary archives are being made available to students, academics and members of the public 

Crónán Ó Doibhlin of UCC Library with The Book of Lismore, created in the late 15th century. Picture: Clare Keogh 

When the archives of Richard Harris were donated to University College Cork by the late actor’s family, it was headline-making news. The acquisition was a vote of confidence in UCC by the Harris family, with the actor’s son Jared emphasising the fact that the archives would benefit the students of film, music and theatre at the college. 

Behind the scenes, a lot of work and effort went into the acquisition, says Crónán Ó Doibhlin, interim university librarian and head of collections at UCC. He estimates that 90% of the material in UCC collections are donated, and the same standards of care and attention apply to all.