Marsh's Library

Until recently, Marsh's Library was one of Dublin's lesser-known institutions, mainly due to the fact that so few people knew about it. As Dublin's oldest library, it holds a special place in the history of the city, with construction commencing in 1701 under the guidance of Archbishop Narcissus Marsh, dean of St Patrick's cathedral. This volume introduces the reader to a world of books, pamphlets, illustrations and portraits. It describes in detail the work of Archbishop Marsh and the development of the library through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, culminating with the dept of Arts, culture, Gaelteacht, and the islands (under the guidance of S le de Valera, former minister for the Arts) assuming responsibility for its maintenance in 2001. Not only an important volume regarding the life of the library, it also brings to life the social position the library has held in society for many years. Richly illustrated with page folios, portraits and woodcuttings, the book is the definitive account of the Library.