The Irish Architectural Archive, 45, Merrion Square, Dublin, Ireland by Z10Z

‘Repository’ by definitions is a place where things may be put for safekeeping, a place where a large amount of something is deposited and stored or a place that contains a lot of information and resources. There are many forms of repository such as library, museum, archive and so on. In Ireland, among the renowned repositories are the Irish Architectural Archive, the National Library and the National Archives. The Irish Architectural Archive is the largest body of historic architectural records in Ireland, owning the largest collections of photograph in Ireland and has undergone adaptive reuse of conservation intervention. The building itself has been awarded the RIAI Regional Award on 2005.

The Irish Architectural Archive was established in 1976 by Dr Edward McParland and Nicholas Robinson to collect the records of Ireland’s architecture, preserve those records and make them accessible. Even though the Irish Architectural Archive is not so huge and grand in terms of space to be compared with other big repositories, it successfully serves its purpose as a resource centre, with conducive internal environment and peaceful ambiance. Upon entrance, visitors will pass by an architectural gallery which displays architectural models. Then, there will be a signage indicating exhibition space on the left while reading room on the right. This exhibition space which acquired, dismantled and reassembled to provide a ground-floor exhibition gallery was originally designed for the RIBA’s Heinz Gallery in London. Visitors can go to the basement cloakroom to store their belongings such as bag, coat or umbrella at the lockers provided. However, access to the first floor which consists of interconnecting reception, meeting and lecture rooms is subject to archivist’s consent. The facilities on the first floor or piano nobile are available for hire.

There is a saying “free things are always good”, this applies to the case of Irish Architectural Archive’s admittance fee which is free of charge. It operates from 10 am to 5 pm every Tuesday to Friday and closes on weekends. Yet, visitor can only use the archive on Monday by appointment and booking. It is necessary to note that first time visitor should register first at the counter by filling up a simple registration form then get the reader’s card, which to be brought along on the subsequent visits. This reader’s card comes with ticket number that will be required in requesting reserve items from the archive collections. Visitors must also sign in on a log book before entering the reading room. However, group visits of 5 people and above requires advance booking at least two days before the day of visit.

The Irish Architectural Archive uses an on-line catalogue system which is located at the public access terminal in the reading room. Besides enabling the search of reference library and dictionary of Irish architects, visitors can also search the archive database by searching; i. Building or Location, ii. Personal or Corporate Name, iii. Building Type or iv. Keyword. Besides that, there is also card catalogue which can be used to retrieve information on drawings and individual collection lists. On top of that, there will be friendly, helpful and resourceful staff member or archivist on duty which can be consulted if visitors still in trouble to find their material/s. Miscellaneous archive materials which are not held in the reading room can be obtained by filling up a call slip (valid up to 5 call slips at a time) and hand it to the staff member or archivist on duty. Among the materials that can be requested through the call slip are; photographs, archival material, reserved books, pamphlets and press cutting files.

The Irish Architectural Archive contain primary and secondary materials in particular, on every notable Irish architects, on Irish buildings of every type, period or style, and on most significant building in the 32 counties of Ireland. It is the largest body of historic architectural records and owns the largest collections of photographs in Ireland. The materials of the archive came from contribution and donation from individuals as well as architectural firms. By numbers, the archive’s accessions registers record more than 3,500 individual acquisitions to date, ranging from single items – a book, pamphlet, drawing or photograph – to the thousands of drawings and files created by large architectural practices, includes the most significant body of historic Irish architectural drawings in the world, with in excess of 250,000 drawings ranging in date from the late seventeenth to the early twenty-first centuries and also over 400,000 photographs and an extensive reference library, with more than 15,000 items of printed matter. 

Materials dating back to the late 17^th Century to the contemporary collections are deposited here. Apart from being the largest bodies of historic architectural records in Ireland which collects, organizes and preserves the national cultural resources, this archive also possess the largest collection of photographs in Ireland. The systematic organization of all the materials may expedite research process plus with the resourceful, friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff member and archivist available there.
Based on the archive’s official website, there are seven personals whom responsible and operates this facility. They are; i. Colum O’Riordan, the archive administrator, ii. David Griffin, the archive director, iii. Ann Martha Rowan, the editor of the Dictionary of Irish Architects, iv. Anne Henderson, the administrative officer, v. Simon Lincoln, the exhibitions officer, vi. Aisling Dunne, the archivist and finally, vii. Eve McAulay, the archivist.

As an appraisal note, Eve McAulay was the person in charge during my visit and she has attended and assisted me with pure professionalism. She has an approachable, knowledgeable, systematic, helpfulness and friendliness qualities as an archivist besides projecting love and passion on her job. She also became my interview respondent on gaining information on the brief historical background on the Irish Architectural Archive building.