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UCC Library now Re-opened.

Both Boole and Brookfield BHSL Libraries have re-opened with the safety of Library users and staff as our chief guiding principle.

Please see our policies and important changes regarding re-opening here

Special Collections: Collections

Special Collections is home to manuscripts, older printed books and unique & distinct collections.

Types of Special Collections

Special Collections holds the following types of collections:

  • Manuscripts: Gaelic Irish, English and other languages
  • Maps: estate maps, ordnance survey, city plans
  • Older Printed Books: books from 1476 - 1850 covering subjects such as theology, sciences and history.
  • Newspapers: available on microfilm and in bound volumes.
  • Prints: Topographical Prints
  • Named Collections: collections donated by individuals
  • Collections on a theme: Munster Printing, Transmissions and Transformations of the Ancient World, Humour
  • Collections from Printing Presses: Attic Press, Cork University Press, Cuala Press, Dolmen Press, Three Candles Press
  • Theses: Masters theses to 2013; PhD theses

Check with Special Collections staff for the finding aid for manuscripts on microfilm and the finding aid for paper manuscripts.

Selected Gaelic Irish manuscripts are available on Irish Script on Screen.These include Cín Lae Uí Mhealláin which is an account of the Irish Confederate Wars (1641 – 1647) written by Tarlach Ó Mealláin, OFM.

View the list of newspaper holdings.

Facts About Special Collections

  • Date range of collections: 15th century – present day 
  • Oldest book: Bruni’s Historia del Popolo Fiorentino (1476)
  • Oldest newspaper on microfilm: Freeman’s Journal (1763)
  • Oldest printed newspaper : Cork Evening Post; Cork Hibernian Chronicle; Corke Journal (1769)

Opening Hours

Following Government directives that higher education institutions should close, UCC physical campus is closed. If you have any queries relating to our collections please email specialcollectionsarchives@ucc.ie as this email address will be monitored regularly. 

Face-to-face services at Special Collections & Archives have resumed in a limited capacity as of 20 July 2020: Monday-Friday 10-12:45. Please note that we will have reduced capacity due to social distancing measures, and access will be by appointment only. Walk-ins and same-day requests will not be possible. To book items & a workspace please click HERE.

UCC Library's new Scan and Deliver Service is now live! Submit a request and we'll scan a book chapter/journal article and deliver it to you via email. There will be limited access to material from Special Collections. Every effort will be made to fulfill requests but this may not always be possible due to availability, copyright restrictions, size and condition of materials.