Archives and Museums
Archives 
Archives are records which are worthy of being kept permanently because of their enduring historical value or their administrative/legal value. They are mainly original records in various forms, for example, letters and correspondence, manuscripts, diaries, files, minutes of meetings, reports, posters, pamphlets, deeds and legal documents, photographs, maps, plans and drawings, financial account books, and even electronic records. Archives may be created by an individual or a family, or by a public body such as a Local Authority, or also by a private institution such as a business, society, club, union or religious organisation. Certain valuable and rare publications might also be regarded as 'archival'. 'Local records' and 'local archives' are defined in the Local Government Act 2001, Section 80. It is important to note that archives are not just 'old records', as archival records are being produced all the time by local authorities and others.
Archives contain unique textual, visual and cartographic information and evidence about institutions, places, people and events. They are a rich source of evidence about our history, culture and identity for the use of the public, academic researchers, local historians, students, teachers, archaeologists, the media, genealogists, writers, artists, and local authority staff. Most of the information in archives is not available from a printed or published source, or the internet. Archives are the raw material of history-writing, but may also be used to promote an awareness of our local heritage and cultural identity, for example through exhibitions, publications and lectures. Well organised, accessible, and well-preserved archives are a major heritage asset to the Cork region.
Cork City & County Archives (Cartlann Cathrach agus Chontae Chorcaí)
The Cork City and County Archives was established in 1971 and was one of the very first local archives services to be set up in Ireland (initally under the name - Cork Archives). The Archives is jointly funded by Cork City Council, Cork County Council and University College Cork.
The Archives carries out the following main functions and services:
Designated archives service for Cork Local Authority records. See section 80 of Local Government Act 2001;
Preservation of local archives relating to the history of Cork City and County;
Facilitating public research of local archives;
Promotion of awareness and appreciation of our local history and heritage.
Appraisal and Acquisition
Archives must be located and acquired by the Archives. Sometimes archives are at risk and may have to be rescued from a basement or attic. On other occasions, archives may have to be separated from records with limited long-term value, a process known as Appraisal. The work of acquiring archives is an ongoing task. The Archives is always delighted to hear from those with information about any archives, including family material, which are relevant to the history of Cork City or County. Contact the Archivist at Tel. 021 4277 809, Fax 021 4274 668 or e-mail archivist@corkcity.ie
Preservation and Conservation
The preservation of archives is the central role of the Archives. Archives are stored securely in special environmental conditions. Collections of archives are cleaned and damage treated and then stored in archival containers and folders. Some documents require repairs and conservation by a professional Conservator. The Archives may also be facing the challenge of preserving electronic records.
Descriptive Listing
The process of descriptive listing is needed to make collections of archives available for research. The descriptive list helps a researcher to locate relevant documents and explains the provenance and arrangement of a collection. Listing work is prioritised according to the research value of collections and our available resources.
Exhibition, Outreach, Digitisation
The Archives promotes an awareness of local heritage and the value of local archives through exhibitions and outreach activities such as lectures and group visits. In 2003 - 2004 the CAI undertook a nationally-funded pilot digitisation project, see the web site at www.askaboutireland.com/pilots/four/index.html.
Archives Holdings
Archives held include: Minute books, files, correspondence and maps and other archives of Cork City Council and Cork County Council and urban Town Councils, as well as the archives of various defunct local authorities such as Poor Law Boards of Guardians, and Rural District Councils.
The privately deposited holdings are remarkable in extent and quality, and include major collections of personal papers, business records, landed estate and solicitors' papers, the records of various private organisations, labour unions, charitable bodies and school records. Virtually all aspects of the social, economic, political, commercial and cultural history of Cork are represented to some degree within the collection. This is a major heritage asset to the Cork region.
The Heritage Unit and Archives
The Heritage Unit has been continuously involved with the Cork City and County Archives. Here are the details of a recent project carried out by the Archives togehter with the Heritage Unit of Cork County Council -
Cork Archives Outreach Project
This undertaking relates to Action 2.13 of the County Heritage Plan - "Work with the Cork Archives Institute to assist with the identification of the location and ownership of significant private collections of local archives ((including photographs, paper records and oral histories), and encourage the individuals involved to make these safe by, at least, allowing a recording of the information held".
This project was managed by Mr. Brian McGee of the Cork City and County Archives.
The aims of the project were to -
* to promote the primary care of privately held photographs and other archives;
* to gather information on significant collections of historic photographs and other archives in the county;
* to facilitate the sharing of information between the holders of such collections and the County Archive;
* to inform the public about the collections held at the County Archive; and
* to organise an exhibition of archives for public display in a series of locations around the county based in part on material gathered in the 'Archive Outreach Days'.
In respect of meeting the above aims a Series of Archive Outreach Days were held in 2008. The talks at these outreach days provided guidance on undertaking local history research at the Archives and other locations, and also advice on ways of improving the care of local and family archives. Particularly stressed in these talks was the role of local communities in safeguarding their local archival heritage, and in making it available for public enjoyment.
At these open days, several archival documents were brought by attendees for advice, and many of these were given on loan to the County Archive for copying and for eventual use in research, and also for use in our County Archives Heritage Exhibition. Such documents included GAA Programmes, family photographs, a Kildorrery Republican Court Order from 1921 and letters, including an emigrant letter and an account of events in Mallow town during the War of Independence in 1920.
Relevant Legislation:
National Archives Act 1986
Other relevant legislation, conventions and agreements include:
For More Information on Cork Archives Contact:
Brian McGee, Archivist, Cork City & County Archives, Great William O'Brien Street, Blackpool, Cork. Tel. (021) 4277809 Fax. (021) 4274668
Web: www.corkarchives.ie
Email. archivist@corkcoco.ie or archivist@corkcity.ie
Museums
Museums are fantastic places that provide a wealth of information on varying aspects of heritage and include displays on many different artefacts and heritage objects.
A museum heritage object is defined in the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997, as
* Any object in the collection of the Museum on the Museum Establishment Day,
* any object (including archaeological objects, objects relating to the decorative arts or natural sciences or to history or industry or folklife) over 25 years old considered appropriate by the Board for inclusion in the collection of the Museum concerning human life in Ireland, the natural history of Ireland, and of the relations of Ireland with other countries, and
* any other similar objects .
Museums in Cork
The following is a list of some of the Museums in Cork which are well worth a visit-
And dont forget to check out the Cork Public Museum at Fitzgerald's Park in Cork City.
