Where is UCD Archives?
	What do I need for admission?
	How do I make an appointment?
	Opening hours
	What information is available on collections?
	What restrictions affect access to collections?
	Requesting and handling documents
	What can I take into the Research Room?

Where is UCD Archives?

UCD Archives is on the main UCD campus at Belfield, Dublin 4, and can be reached by car or by public transport, taking the 39A or 46A bus from the city centre. The 39A terminus is on campus and the 46A stop is located across the Stillorgan Road, in front of the Montrose Hotel. Information on travelling to the campus is available on the university website. Due to the heavy demand on parking facilities on the Belfield campus, visitors are strongly recommended to use public transport. Visitors travelling by car may be asked by university security personnel to state the purpose of their visit before being given access to parking facilities. Pay and display parking facilities are available but are often full. Transportation and maps.

UCD Archives is located in the James Joyce Library and can be reached by taking the signposted pedestrian walkway between the library and agricultural buildings to door 17. We cannot be reached through the main library entrance.

What do I need for admission as a researcher?

All researchers must have a current reader's ticket and an appointment. A reader's ticket will be issued on a researcher's initial visit after the completion of a research application form. It is valid until the end of the calendar year of issue. Tickets must be renewed annually.

How do I make an appointment?

You may contact UCD Archives in any of the following ways:

An appointment ensures the availability of a place in our research room. An appointment is valid only when it has been confirmed by a member of UCD Archives staff. Occasional closures to facilitate group visits, staff training and leave are posted on our opening hours.

What information is available on collections?

The Collections pages provide access to information on the three categories of collection in UCD Archives: Deposited Collections; University Archives; and Franciscan 'A' MSS.

The Deposited Collections and University Archives pages give general descriptions of the content of individual collections as well as specific detail on collection reference codes, size and covering dates of collections; and information on access including restrictions on access to individual collections. A finding-aid for each collection will be consulted in the Research Room to identify specific documents relevant to one's research.

The Franciscan 'A' MSS pages give a synopsis of the development of the collection; the basis of its transfer to UCD Archives; and some sample images. The digitisation of the manuscripts began in Autumn 2003 in conjunction with the ISOS project. Images from a large number of the manuscripts are available on the ISOS website.

What restrictions affect access to collections?

Collections are made available for research only when they have been fully processed and an appropriate finding aid, usually a descriptive catalogue, constructed.

Both deposited collections and university archives are subject to a thirty year rule.

Deposited collections may be subject to additional restrictions or access requirements. In particular, application to the owners or trustees of certain collections is necessary before access can be granted. 

Access to collections or parts of collections may be withdrawn from time to time as material is removed for conservation or preservation reformatting. 

Further information on access to individual collections can be found in the Deposited Collections section of this website. Click on the link for an individual collection and scroll to the end for specific information on access to that collection. The absence of a named collection from the website may be taken as a reliable indication that it is not available for research, usually because it has not been processed.

Requesting and handling documents

The handling of original documents is subject to the specific guidelines included in Rules for Researchers a copy of which researchers will be given before they complete a research application form. 

What can I take into the Research Room?

Pencils, notepaper, laptop computers and other PDAs are allowed in the Research Room. The use of pens of any kind is prohibited, as is the use of all photographic, photocopying or scanning equipment and voice recorders. Further information is available in the leaflet Rules for Researchers. Lockers are provided for the deposit of cases and bags. The use of mobile phones in any area of the department is prohibited. They should be powered off and placed in a locker.