March 2003 Edition

The Society held four meetings in the past year. On 5 February 2002, following the Annual General Meeting, Ms Kerry Holland gave a talk entitled "An oasis in an archival desert: the foundation of the Irish Society for Archives." She gave a fascinating account of how the society came to be established—through the determination of those working with archives in Ireland to raise awareness of the importance of archives as part of Ireland's local and national heritage. Dr Susan Hood's lecture "Ulster's Office: the Irish Office of Arms" (2 April 2002) outlined the history of the Office of Arms, the heraldic authority in Ireland, and described how it was only transferred to the Irish Government in 1943 some twenty years after independence. Mr Brian Gurrin gave the society a "Guide to pre-census sources for Irish demography" (1 October 2002), outlining the various sources that date from the nineteenth century and before that are available to researchers who are interested in demography and genealogy. Mr Gerard Long gave a talk on "The National Library of Ireland: a brief history" (3 December 2002), providing an overview of the history of the library from its establishment to the present day. As well as giving the key dates and events that occurred in the library's history, mention was also made of different individuals both staff members and readers whose work made a mark on the library.

Thanks are due to many people for their help with the lecture series, newsletter, web-site, journal and other activities which highlight and promote the work of the society: the members of the committee, particularly Dr Refaussé; Manuscripts Department, Trinity College Dublin; UCD Archives Department; and the National Archives of Ireland.