Irish Architectural Archive
Encyclopedia
The Irish Architectural Archive was established in 1976 by Dr Edward McParland and Nicholas Robinson to collect and preserve material of every kind relating to the architecture
of Ireland
, and make it available to the public. It is based in Merrion Square
, Dublin, a notable example of the city's Georgian architecture
.
The Archive
comprises over 3,500 individual acquisitions, ranging from single items - a book, pamphlet, drawing or photograph - to the thousands of drawings and files created by large architectural practices.
The collections represent the largest body of historic architectural records in Ireland. They include the most significant body of historic Irish architectural drawing
s in the world, with in excess of 250,000 drawings ranging in date from the late seventeenth to the twentieth centuries. Also housed in the Archive are over 400,000 photographs, making this one of the largest collections of photographs in Ireland, and an extensive reference library
, with more than 15,000 items of printed matter.
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and make it available to the public. It is based in Merrion Square
Merrion Square
Merrion Square is a Georgian square on the southside of Dublin city centre. It was laid out after 1762 and was largely complete by the beginning of the 19th century. It is considered one of the city's finest surviving squares...
, Dublin, a notable example of the city's Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
.
The Archive
Archive
An archive is a collection of historical records, or the physical place they are located. Archives contain primary source documents that have accumulated over the course of an individual or organization's lifetime, and are kept to show the function of an organization...
comprises over 3,500 individual acquisitions, ranging from single items - a book, pamphlet, drawing or photograph - to the thousands of drawings and files created by large architectural practices.
The collections represent the largest body of historic architectural records in Ireland. They include the most significant body of historic Irish architectural drawing
Architectural drawing
An architectural drawing or architect's drawing is a technical drawing of a building that falls within the definition of architecture...
s in the world, with in excess of 250,000 drawings ranging in date from the late seventeenth to the twentieth centuries. Also housed in the Archive are over 400,000 photographs, making this one of the largest collections of photographs in Ireland, and an extensive reference library
Reference library
A reference library does not lend books and other items; instead, they must be read at the library itself. Typically such libraries are used for research purposes, for example at a university. See List of closed stack libraries...
, with more than 15,000 items of printed matter.