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Audio Library

Traveller Story and Song

The traditions of Ireland are the background of our history; they have helped in large measure to mould the Ireland of the past; they are part and parcel of the Irish nation of today. We desire to see them known and honoured, for the Ireland of tomorrow will have need of them, finding in them a source of inspiration and pride.

J. H. Delargy, Honorary Director, Irish Folklore Commission (1942)

The Irish Folklore Commission was founded in 1935 with the intention of preserving Ireland’s oral and material culture, including folklore and traditions. Collectors went out into the field and recorded the stories and songs to be found in different communities, fragments that form part of the rich social history of Ireland. In 1971, the Commission ceased, but the archive it had collected was integrated into the National Folklore Collection at University College Dublin, along with material collected by the Irish Folklore Institute and the Department of Irish Folklore in UCD.

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Upcoming Events

A red light in a dark room illuminates a set of foil curtains
Bill Harris
Foil Curtains & Fog Machines

The Douglas Hyde is delighted to present a new music session where artist Bill Harris will host an experimental electronic dance night as part of our First Thursday series. Through this new series of late openings, the gallery becomes a space for hosting unexpected, experimental practices across multiple artforms from live music and expanded cinema […]

Kirkos
Music Session

The Douglas Hyde is delighted to present a new music session with music assemble Kirkos as part of our First Thursday series. Through this new series of late openings, the gallery becomes a space for hosting unexpected, experimental practices across multiple artforms from live music and expanded cinema to performance and spoken word. Join us each […]

A group of cartoon characters in different outfits
Isadora Epstein
Medium Mediums

The Douglas Hyde is delighted to present a new performance by artist Isadora Epstein as part of our First Thursday series. Through this new series of late openings, the gallery becomes a space for hosting unexpected, experimental practices across multiple artforms from live music and expanded cinema to performance and spoken word. Join us each First […]

A group of people sign language in a lecturing theatre
Dr John Bosco Conama
On Irish Sign Language

The Douglas Hyde is delighted to share details of this upcoming talk by Dr John Bosco Conama on the history of Irish Sign Language in the context of Amanda Coogan’s Freude! Freude! project. Booking required. Please use the link on this page to book your place.

A person with her arm raised in front of a painting
Amanda Coogan
In conversation with Georgina Jackson

The Douglas Hyde is delighted to present an Artist Talk where artist Amanda Coogan will be joined in conversation by Dr Georgina Jackson, Director at The Douglas Hyde, to discuss the many aspects of Coogan’s Freude! Freude! project. Booking required. Please use the link on this page to book your place.

A large room with stairs and computer equipment
Open House 2023

Open House is an annual three-day festival of architecture, opening up usually inaccessible architectural treasures to the public with a programme of tours and talks. A renowned example of Brutalist architecture, The Douglas Hyde Gallery will participate in Open House 2023 with a series of tours. Join us on 14 and 15 October 2023 for […]

Art & Ideas

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