UCD Library Special Collections holds the personal library of the poet and critic Dennis O'Driscoll.
The Collection
O'Driscoll bequeathed the collection to UCD Library and it was received from his wife, the poet Julie O'Callaghan, in 2017. The collection contains over 3,000 titles, primarily standalone poetry collections in their first edition. It represents a cross section of over 40 years of poetry from Ireland, Great Britain, Northern and Eastern Europe, America, Australia and Russia, as collected by one of the most respected poets and critics of his time.
Collection Highlights
- First edition copies of short print runs from around the world, particularly Ireland, America and the UK.
- Signed titles, often inscribed, from internationally renowned poets such as Charles Simic, Sharon Olds, Les Murray & Thomas Kinsella.
- Numerous enclosures featuring reviews, newspaper articles, launch invites and general ephemera.
- A near complete representation of O'Driscoll's own output as a poet and critic - including variant copies of several of his poetry collections.
Biographical History
Dennis O'Driscoll was a poet, critic and long-serving civil servant with the Revenue Commissioners. He published nine collections of poetry, two collections of prose, and was the editor of two volumes of poetry quotations. His best known publication is his series of interviews with the poet Seamus Heaney, Stepping Stones, which was published by Faber & Faber in 2008 and essentially serves as Heaney's biography. He curated his personal library carefully and many of his books contain interesting enclosures which add great value for academics and students of poetry. He died on Christmas Eve 2012 at the age of 58.
Access and Use
- The material in this collection is available by appointment to students, teaching staff, and independent researchers. We also welcome interested members of the public.
- Please contact us at (opens in a new window)special.collections@ucd.ie for further information. To book an appointment (opens in a new window)click here.
More Information
Find material in the collection:
- Use the (opens in a new window)Library Catalogue to key in "Dennis O'Driscoll".
- When you get a results screen select Special Collections from Location option in the left panel.