Desk Reservation System

All public researchers wishing to visit to view archives and manuscripts are advised to pre–book a seat in the reading room. (Library Members don’t need to book if borrowing or returning books).

To maximise your time you may order up to five items to be ready for you on arrival. Please provide full catalogue details of the items you wish to reserve (see examples below).

During your visit you will be expected to be familiar with the referencing system so that if you need further items, you can complete an in–person order for these directly with staff.

Please click here to read the Regulations for Readers of Archives and Manuscripts. Note that you will be required to sign these in person when you visit the Library.

The booking button is at the end of this page.

ORDERING IN ADVANCE

To Order From the Parish Records
Parishes colour–coded yellow on the Parish Register List have collections in the Library. For references, click the relevant parish name on the list which will bring you to a pdf of the detailed hand–list for that parish. In your order, please include the parish number and relevant volume number of each item you wish to see. For example, if you wish to see the records for the parish of Aasleagh, then click on the link, to see the detailed pdf. If you wish to view the marriage register you need to include the parish number P.0156 and the item number /3.1 = P.0156/3.1. Or if you wish to view the vestry minute book, then include the parish number and the item number /5.1 = P.0156/5.1.

To Order Manuscripts
The Library’s Manuscripts are listed here.

Some collections have no lists, and in those cases, you simply order by the number of the item: for example, the transcripts of Limerick parish registers (MS 1110 on the list) simply order the item MS 1110. However where there are hyperlinks included, such as the list for the Church Education Society MS 154/ for example, you need to refer to the detailed list and provide item numbers, so, for example for the earliest committee book, 1839–44, you need  to add the reference 1.1 = MS 154/1.1.

To Order From the Printed Collection
Please click here to access the RCB Library Online Printed Books Catalogue.

For Diocesan Records
Please order from the lists of Diocesan Records available through this page
Diocesan Records

Cathedral Archives
Please order from the lists of Cathedral Archives available through this page
Cathedral Records

Please click here to reserve your desk, or click on the button below.