Identity Statement for Edward O'Reilly
- Reference code: IE UCDA LA7
- Title: Papers of Edward O'Reilly (1770–1830)
- Dates: 1807–19
- Level of description: Item
- Extent: 71 letters
- Context
- Content and Structure
- Conditions of Access and Use
Biographical History
Born in Cavan, O'Reilly settled in Dublin where he undertook the compilation of the work for which he is best remembered, his Irish-English Dictionary published in 1817. He was appointed assistant secretary to the Iberno-Celtic Society on its foundation the following year with the purpose of preserving and promoting Irish literature. His work during the 1820s included a Dictionary of Irish Writers, catalogues of Irish manuscripts in Dublin libraries including Trinity College, and Irish nomenclature in Ordnance Survey maps. He died in 1830.
Archival History
This collection was transferred from UCD Library to UCD Archives in January 1974.
Scope and Content
Seventy-one letters from various correspondents, mainly fellow scholars, concerning the compilation and promotion of O'Reilly's Irish-English Dictionary. Correspondents include Paul O'Brien, Professor of Irish at Maynooth. Also includes letters from Eugene O'Reilly, teacher at the Roman Catholic School in Navan, and Edward's son Patrick, a pupil at the Navan school.
- Access: Available by appointment to holders of a UCD Archives reader's ticket. Produced for consultation in original format. Original material will be retrieved on Fridays only. It will be made available for consultation in the UCD Special Collections reading room on Level One of the James Joyce Library.
- Language: English
- Finding aid: Descriptive catalogue