Medieval Irish manuscript should be returned to Ireland permanently, says Sinn Féin TD

The Annals of Inishfallen is currently available to view at UCC library, and is on loan from the University of Oxford

Elaine Harrington from UCC library views The Annals of Inisfallen. 'Many such items were stolen from Ireland in the first place, in a form of colonial plunder, and they should return to Irish ownership,” Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said. Picture: Clare Keogh

An important Irish historical document being exhibited in Cork for just two months before returning to Oxford, where it has been for 250 years, should remain in Ireland, a local TD has said.

The Annals of Inisfallen, an Irish medieval manuscript collection on loan from Oxford University’s library, opened last week in University College Cork (UCC)’s Glucksman gallery and will run until November 1.

Close to 1,000 years old, the manuscript records 10 centuries of Irish history and is also an important source for the development of the Irish language. Yet this is the first time it has been exhibited in Ireland.

The manuscript entered the collection of the 17th century Irish historian Sir James Ware, before passing through subsequent collectors to Richard Rawlinson, whose bequest brought it to the Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford, where it has been preserved for more than 250 years.

Richard Ovenden, Bodleian’s Librarian, said: “The Bodleian is delighted to collaborate with UCC to exhibit the Annals of Inisfallen in Ireland for the first time.

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“Giving the public a chance to view and get up close with this much treasured manuscript will help support greater understanding and appreciation of the medieval period, the role of manuscripts in preserving knowledge, and allow us to celebrate the shared responsibilities of libraries in preserving the past for the benefit of the present and the future.” 

However, Sinn Féin TD for Cork South Central Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said artefacts such as this ought to be in the possession of Ireland and an Irish body.

“It is obviously the case that we would want people all over the world to learn of them, and that we would want them to travel and be examined, but the ultimate custodian should be Irish”, he said.

That custodian could then lend the artefacts to other international bodies, he added.

He said an advisory body on restitution and repatriation was established by the Government, and he hopes that its work will “assist the Irish State in seeking parts of our history, invaluable historical documents, and artefacts, to be returned to Ireland.”

“Many such items were stolen from Ireland in the first place, in a form of colonial plunder, and they should return to Irish ownership,” Mr Ó Laoghaire said.

The advisory committee, which was established in 2023 to advise the Government on the restitution and repatriation of Irish objects, published a report of recommendations in June.

Culture minister Patrick O’Donovan said at the time that he was “giving these recommendations my full consideration to ensure that the restitution and repatriation processes for culturally sensitive objects in Ireland are grounded in trust and respect, and that cultural and collecting institutions are appropriately supported.” 

He said he would consult with stakeholders on the recommendations and then bring a plan to government, but there has been no update on this process since.