Archive Awareness 2010
Everyone has a history, and we've got a bit of yours :
Tá stair ag cách agus tá chuid díotsa againne 
Anne Enright to launch Archive Awareness Campaign
August 2010 –Archives & Records Association, Ireland will launch its seventh annual Archive Awareness Campaign at 6pm on Wednesday 25 August 2010 at the National Archives, Bishop Street. Anne Enright, Booker Prize Winning Author will launch the event. The Campaign, coinciding with Heritage Week, will begin that evening and will continue through to the end of September 2010.
The Archive Awareness Campaign encourages members of the public to discover the truth about Ireland's rich Archival heritage. Irish Archive Services nationwide will host a range of complimentary events for members of the public to enjoy, including exhibitions, lectures, information about research resources in Archives, including resources for researching family history.
The aim of the Campaign is to counter the perception that Archives hold nothing more than dusty and uninteresting files by encouraging people to witness at first hand the valuable heritage preserved in Archive Services around the country.
Highlights of Archive Awareness events taking place nationwide include: An Exhibition of Fingal Sporting Heroes Past and Present at Fingal County Archive; Kathleen Lynn and Saint Ultan's Hospital – the archive collections of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland; A Series of lunchtime talks at the Guinness Archive; Guided tours of registry of deeds archives, Henrietta Street ; Exhibition Of Literary Archives And Rare Books From UCD Library; Guided tours of the Architectural Archive with an opportunity to view the exhibition, Ancestral Interiors, Photographs of the Irish Country House by Patrick Prendergast; An Exhibition of Annie Brophy wedding photographs in Waterford City Archives; Exhibition commemorating the life of Waterford-born actress Anna Manahan to Irish Theatre at Waterford City Library Service; Donegal County Archives Exhibition at Donegal County Archives; Exhibition of Balfour Album at NUI Galway ; An exhibition of project work and displays of archive materials at Ballyhoura Architectural Survey Office, Limerick; Exhibition of historic archival documents relating to Co Louth at Louth County Archives;; Talk on exploring the archives of Bantry House and Estate.
The ARA, Ireland has set up a flickr page dedicated to highlighting Archive Awareness Events. www.flickr.com/photos/araireland
Outlining the campaign, Deirdre McParland, Publicity Officer, Archives & Records Association, Ireland said: "The Archive Awareness Campaign seeks to promote awareness of Archives and the treasures they hold amongst the general public. Archives are a window into the past bringing history to life through documents, photographs, maps and countless other treasures. We're primarily targeting existing users of Archives but we also wish to encourage those who have never set foot in an Archive to do so and discover their own history and heritage."
The Archive Awareness Campaign is co-ordinated by Archives & Records Association, Ireland, the professional body for archivists, records managers and conservators in Ireland.
For further information please contact: Deirdre McParland, Publicity Officer, Archives & Records Association, Ireland
Tel: 01 6435711
Email: Deirdre.mcparland@diageo.com or ara.irelandregion@gmail.com