merrion street

The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced she is providing €400,000 in capital funding to Marsh's Library to ensure the protection of this unique and irreplaceable collection of 25,000 books, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries and before. The grant aid will go towards measures including damp proofing and the provision of a misting fire-prevention system.

Marsh’s Library was founded in the early eighteenth century by Archbishop Narcissus Marsh (1638-1713). Designed by Sir William Robinson (d.1712) the Surveyor General of Ireland, it is one of the very few 18th century buildings left in Dublin that is still being used for its original purpose. Many of the collections in the Library are still kept on the shelves allocated to them by Marsh and by Elias Bouhéreau, the first librarian, when the Library was opened.

Speaking today Minister Humphreys said:
"The Marsh’s Library, in Dublin City Centre, is a cultural gem, which was visited by more than 24,000 people last year. Given the importance of its collection, I am delighted to be in a position to provide this €400,000 in funding to help with the protection and preservation of the Library’s rare books.

“The interior of the library with its beautiful dark oak bookcases has remained largely unchanged since it was built three hundred years ago. It is a magnificent example of a late Renaissance and early Enlightenment library. This capital grant will help to ensure the Marsh’s collection is protected for the enjoyment and education of visitors and future generations.”