The Library Council

An Chomhairle Leabharlanna plaque, 53 Upper Mount Street

Inaugural meeting of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, 12th May 1948

Back Row, L to R: Joseph Hanna, TCD; Dr H.W. Parke, TCD; Prof. L. O'Briain, UCG; Prof. F. E. Kackett, National Library; James J. O'Neill, UCD; J. T. Dowling, LAI; Christina Keogh, An Chomhairle Leabharlanna; Peadar O'Dubhda, Assoc. of Municipal Authorities of Ireland. Front Row, L to R: Mrs O'Shea-Leamy, Assoc. Municiapl Authorities of Ireland; J. Wilkie, Scretary Carnegie UK Trust; T. J. Murphy, Minister for Local Government; Senator Eleanor Butler, Chariman An Chomhairle Leabharlanna; B. G. McCarthy, UCC.

Inaugural meeting of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, 12th May 1948

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Nos. 53 and 54 Upper Mount Street have long been associated with public libraries in Ireland. The house at 53 was initially leased by the Irish Central Library for Students (ICLS) in January 1932, whose previous premises had been at 32 Merrion Square since 1923. It was fifteen years later that An Chomhairle Leabharlanna (ACL), or The Library Council, was established under the Public Libraries Act 1947. This new body essentially took over the functions of the Carnegie Trust and the running of the ICLS. It was also to assist local authorities to improve their library service, and to advise the Minister in relation to public library service.

The inaugural meeting was held on 12th May 1948.

ACL initially held a sub-tenancy of the third and fourth floor of no. 54 in 1951, but in 1961 purchased both buildings. ACL remained at nos. 53 and 54 until its dissolution on 31st October 2012.

From the Archives

Signature of John Millington Synge

Signature of J.M. Synge on the reconveyance of Mortgage document to Marcus Lingard, 7th April 1908. 53/54 Upper Mount Street. From the archives of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna.

Signature of John Millington Synge -

Letter from Sean O'Casey to Christina Keogh

Letter from Sean O'Casey to Christina Keogh, Librarian at the Irish Central Library for Students. 15th July, 1937. From the archives of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna.

Letter from Sean O'Casey to Christina Keogh -

Mobile library in Clare

From the archives of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna

Mobile library in Clare -

Telegram to Christina Keogh

Telegram to Christina Keogh, Librarian at the Irish Central Library for Students (ICLS) regarding proposed new premises. At this time, the ICLS was located on Merrion Square but it moved in January 1932 when the building at 53 Upper Mount Street was leased. From the archives of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna.

Telegram to Christina Keogh -

Vera McCarthy, first County Librarian in Leitrim

Vera McCarthy was the first County Librarian for Leitrim. The library service began in March 1931 and at one time Leitrim boasted 73 branch libraries. Books were distributed to the libraries every three months by railway, a hired car or by ass and cart to some of the more remote areas. Vera McCarthy retired in 1974. From the archives of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna.

Vera McCarthy, first County Librarian in Leitrim -