Archive is useless if access is restricted

AN awareness campaign by the Society of Archivists aims to promote ‘a network of archival repositories across Ireland, committed to preserving archives — the raw material of our country’s history’.

For the past few years I have been researching and writing my ninth book, a biography of WT Cosgrave (1880-1965). I kept this a secret, as no biography of Cosgrave had yet appeared and I wished mine to be the first.

Some months ago I decided to consult a relevant letter by General Richard Mulcahy which is in the Mulcahy Papers in UCD’s archives.

I attended the archive there and told them that I was working on a biography but, at that stage, wished to keep my subject a secret.

I was told that unless I divulged the subject of my work, I would not be given access to the Mulcahy letter. I felt this was unreasonable and left the archive.

UCD is entitled to set its own regulations for access to its archive. However, I believe that a university that celebrates James Joyce, and has become a huge repository of important archival papers of the 20th century, should reconsider its strict rules.

I am happy to say I have nothing but praise for the cooperation I have received from all the other archives I have had occasion to visit over the past 20 years.

Anthony J Jordan

52 Gilford Road

Dublin 4