1. ffolliott, Rosemary [Poole].

The Pooles of Mayfield and other Irish Families. With a Preface by Basil M. O’Connell.

Dublin, Hodges and Figgis & Co., 1958. 4°. Frontispiece-Portrait of Joanna Meade Townsend, 294 pages with XIII plates showing 53 portraits and illustrations. The Volume contains over eighty “Pedigrees” [Genealogical Tables with Family Trees connecting to two thousand persons from families like: Allen, Baldwin, Barry, Becher, Bowdler, Boyle, Browne, Brydges, Capenhurst, Chavasse, Clayton, Conner of Connerville, Corker, Courthope, Cummins, Daunt, Davies, Dunscombe, Field, FitzGerald, Fleming, ffolliott, Freke [Capt. John ffreke of Knocknameel with a complete Pedigree starting with Robert Freke of Shroton] / , Fowle, Hayman, Hewitt, Holmes, Hull, Hungerford, Jellett, Langton, Latham, Lucas, McCall, Meade, Moore, Morgan, Morris, Morrison, Nevill, Nisbett, Newton, Poole, Riggs, Rogers, St.John, Sarsfield, Somerville, Stannard, Symes, Synge, Townsend, Townshend, Travers, Turner, Vaughan, Waring, Wynn and others], List of Subscribers and a comprehensive Index with reference to over four hundred surnames are also included. Original Hardcover with the rare dustjacket. Original blue cloth with only very minor traces of external wear and overall in excellent condition (minor staining to the binding). Interior unbelievably clean and bright with no markings. No.488 of only 500 numbered copies. This extremely rare publication is a key-publication of Irish Genealogy and has set new standards of genealogical research. In the Obituary for Rosemary ffolliott, the Irish Times wrote in 2009: “In 1958, when she was 23 years of age, Rosemary ffolliott compiled “The Pooles of Mayfield”, a history of Settler Families in the Cork area. The publication of this Munster gentry, which some who appeared in it described as “the Dead Sea Scrolls”, initiated a career in the difficult field of Irish genealogy, made the more arduous by the destruction of records at the Four Courts. Her dedication to a discipline that had been considered vague, imprecise and colourful, had an acknowledged effect in raising the standards of genealogy in Ireland. Her research methods were meticulous and she is remembered as a genius in the use of the Registry of Deeds in Henrietta Street. In 1966 she became a Fellow of the Irish Genealogical Research Society, the first woman to be recognised in this way.” The publication is an important source for the History of Family-Connections for the two Irish Country-House-Libraries we currently have on offer: “The Richard Meade Collection (Ballymartle)” and “The Danile Conner – Collection (Connerville and Manch House)”. Both families are mentioned as subscribers to this publication [″H.L.Conner, Esq. – Manch House, Ballineen, Co.Cork” and “Mrs. G.W.Meade – Pitch Place Farm, Thursley, Surrey / Captain J.A.Meade – Chatley, Metchosin, British Columbia / Mrs. Meade – Templenoe House, Fermoy, Co. Cork”]. Especially the many portraits of members of the Meade-Family,as well as the family-connection to the Townshend / Townsend-Family in Castletownshend, near Skibbereen, make this an invaluable source for Irish Genealogy.

2. [Doyle, James Warren] J.K.L. [acronym for “James / Kildare / Leighlin”] / [James Charles Coffey (1815-1880)].

Letters on the State of Ireland – Addresses by J.K.L. to a friend in England [With a section: “Administration of Justice and Spirit of the Penal Laws”].

First Edition. Dublin, Printed by Richard Coyne [Printer and Bookseller to the Royal College of St.Patrick, Maynooth, and Publisher to the Roman Catholic Bishops of Ireland], 1825. Octavo (15 cm x 21 cm). VIII, 364 pages. Hardcover / Recently restored and rebacked original binding. Excellent condition after the restoration. From the library of Judge James Charles Coffey, with his name signed on the titlepage and dated May, 1860. Some mild foxing to first 10 pages, otherwise very good. Extremely rare publication !

3. Bhaldraithe, Tomas de / Corkery, Daniel / and many others.

Collection of over eighty (80) publications on the Gaelic Language (Gaeilge), the History of the Gaelic Language, Gaelic Grammar, gaelic exercise books (new and old), publications on gaelic conversation etc. etc. including a Dictionary by Tomas de Bhaldraithe, a publication by Daniel Corkery on “The Fortunes of the Irish Language”, etc. etc.

Dublin and others, c.1950 – c.1990. Octavo. More than 1500 pages. Original Hardcover and Softcover Volumes. Some of the publications in poor condition but the majority in very good condition (see images).

4. Ayearst, Morley.

The Republic of Ireland – Its Government and Politics – Collection of 215 books on Irish Politics, Irish Government, Irish local planning and Local government, Irelands connection to the EU, History of Irish Elections, books on Governmental policy (general and irish related), books on the history of Ireland’s connection to the UK etc. Also included are several publications on the history of the irish political parties. The comprehensive collection comes from the library of a former council man and university lecturer and includes many of the minor and major publications needed to understand the forming of the irish state from 1940 onwards. The collection includes publications like: 1. John McG. Smyth – The Theory and Practice of the Irish Senate / 2. John Coakley and Michael Gallagher – Politics in the Republic of Ireland / 3. Desmond Roche – Local Government in Ireland / 4. Patrick Keatinge – Maastricht and Ireland – What the Treaty means / 5. Stephen Collins – The Power Game – Fianna Fail since Lemass / 6. Cornelius O’Leary – Irish Elections (1918 – 1977) – Parties, Voters and Proportional Representation / 7. Bruce Arnold – What Kind of Country – Modern Irish Politics 1968-1983 / 8. Michael Flannery – Sanitation – Conservation and Recreation Services in Ireland / 9. Peter Mair – The Changing Irish Party System / 10. R.C.Geary – and F.S.O Muircheartaigh – Equalization of Opportunity in Ireland – Statistical Aspects / 11. Mary Minihan – A Deal with the Devil – The Green Party in Government / 12. Donal de Buitleir – Problems of Irish Local Finance / 13. Communications and Community in Ireland (Brian Farrell) / etc. etc.

London, University of London Press, 1971. 24 cm. vii,241 pages with 8 plates. Original Hardcover with original dustjacket. Very good condition with only minor signs of external wear. The collection of 215 books (of which only c.60 are listed here) is in very good condition (only a few volumes with stronger wear).

5. Curtayne, Alice.

Alice Curtayne and “The Furrow” – Monthly Journal published by the Leinster Leader, Naas and Edited by Rev. J.G.McGarry. A Collection of 56 issues of the Journal, including two issues with Curtayne – publications: 1. “Saint Patrick in his Confession” – (In: “The Furrow” from March 1951) / 2. “Marillac Manor” (in “The Furrow” from July 1959) / 3. “Ecumenism in Dublin” (In “The Furrow” from February 1966).

Naas, The Furrow / Leinster Leader, 1951 – 1969. Octavo. 56 Issues with different amounts of pages and content. Overall c. 2200 pages. Original Softcover. Excellent condition with some minor signs of wear only. Some of the issues with annotations and some with a former library-stamp. Very rare run of these periodicals which invited contributions from other women writers like Mairin Allen, Anna Dundurs etc.

6. Curtayne, Alice.

Alice Curtayne and “Studies – An Irish Quarterly Review” – Irish Quarterly Scholarly Journal, historically published since the year 1912 by The Educational Company of Ireland / The Talbot Press / Messenger Publications for the Jesuits of Ireland. A Collection of momentarily 53 issues plus Index (1912-1961) of the Journal, including currently one identified issue with an Alice Curtayne – publication: 1. “Dante” – (In: “Studies” Summer/Autumn – Issue 1965).

Dublin, The Educational Company of Ireland / The Talbot Press, 1912 – 1969. Octavo. 53 Issues plus Index, with different amounts of pages and content. Overall c. 2800 pages. Original Softcover. Very good condition with some issues with some stronger signs of wear but the majority of issues in firm and excellent condition. Some of the issues with annotations and some with a former library-stamp. Very rare run of this periodicals which invited contributions from other women writers like Mary M. Macken, Pamela Reilly, Helen Landreth, Eleanor Knott, Ethna Kavanagh, Lorna Reynolds, etc.

7. [Fly Fishing / Angling – Collection] – Brabazon, Wallop [Rath House, Drogheda] / Cooper, William / [Provenance: William Le Fanu]

The Deep Sea and Coast Fisheries of Ireland, with suggestions for the working of a Fishing Company. Illustrated by William Cooper. Dedicated by Permission to the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland. [With 21 Plates]

Original First Edition. Dublin / London / Derby, James McGlashan / Simpkin, Marshall & Co. / Richardson and Sons, 1848. Octavo. Folded Frontispiece, X, 111 pages with 21 plates (original Lithographs often large folding). Hardcover / Original publisher’s cloth, embossed with gilt lettering to cover. Excellent condition of one of the rarest books on the History of irish commercial fishing and suggestions for professionalizing irish fishing industry in the 19th century. This book comes from the library of irish engineer William Le Fanu, with his bookplate to the pastedown and a stamp “Board of Public Works” to the dedication-page. The books interior with all the lithographic illustrations in very good condition. Occasional foxing only. Extremely rare; very scarce publication ! This is a superior example of this book; with all illustrations in place and in excellent condition.

8. [Curtayne, Alice] / McKevitt, P. / Lucey, C. / Conway, J. Jacobus / Christus Rex Society of Irish Diocesan Priests / Rísteard Ó Cíonga [Richard King as Illustrator] / etc.

Alice Curtayne as Contributor to Irish Periodicals / Journals / Digests. The collection aims for completion and collects not only issues of periodicals with contributions by Alice Curtayne but hopes to complete each set of periodicals to which Alice Curtayne contributed between the years of 1930 and 1980, in order to allow for cross-referencing of contributors, study cooperation between illustrators and Alice Curtayne, her influence and acceptance as early female contributor in a men’s world, possibly even deciphering pseudonyms under which Curtayne might have written or essays she might have contributed to but her name was omitted; in general: circumstances which have not been detected yet. The Collection is documented thoroughly in professional images and descriptions on our website and includes to date: I. Alice Curtayne as Contributor to “The Irish Digest”: 1. “The Irish Digest” from September 1940 – including the article: Alice Curtayne – “Lament of an Author” / II. Alice Curtayne as Contributor to “Christus Rex”: “Christus Rex” – An Irish Quarterly Journal of Sociology. A Collection of 24 issues of the important and underrated publication “Christus Rex” including: 1. Volume XX, No.4 of “Christus Rex”: Alice Curtayne – “The Council and Women” ]. / III. Alice Curtayne as Contributor to “The Furrow”: “The Furrow” – Monthly Journal published by the Leinster Leader, Naas and Edited by Rev. J.G.McGarry. A Collection of 56 issues of the Journal, including two issues with Curtayne – publications: 1. “Saint Patrick in his Confession” – (In: “The Furrow” from March 1951) and 2. “Marillac Manor” (in “The Furrow” from July 1959) and 3. “Ecumenism in Dublin” (In “The Furrow” from February 1966) / IV. Alice Curtayne as Contributor to “The Capuchin Annual”. Including: 1. Alice Curtayne – “For the Septcentenary of St.Anthony of Padua (1231 – 1931)” – [including a portrait photograph of Alice Curtayne] / 2. Alice Curtayne – “Five Irish Saints” (″The Living Patrick” / “Saint Colmcille – Irishman” / “Saint Brendan – The Navigator” / “Saint Ita” / “The Method of Saint Columbus” / (In: Capuchin Annual 1945-1946 – with Illustrations in color by Stained Glass Artist, Rísteard Ó Cíonga [Richard King].

Naas, Christus Rex Publications, 1949 – 1967. Octavo. 81 Issues with different amounts of pages and content. Overall c. 4800 pages. Original Softcover. Excellent condition with some minor signs of wear only. Some of the issues with annotations and some with a former library-stamp. Very rare run of these periodicals which invited contributions from other women writers like Ita Meehan.

9. Gilpin, William. [Castle-Freke Library Bookplates]

Collection of four Volumes (bound in two) by Gilpin – All from the historical library at Castle Freke (Castlefreke, West Cork / Ireland). The Volumes include: I. & II. Observations Relative Chiefly to Picturesque Beauty, Made in the Year 1776, on Several Parts of Great Britain; particularly the High-Lands of Scotland. [Second Edition, with an “Account of the Prints” bound to the rear] / III. Observations on the River Wye and several Parts of South Wales &c. relative chiefly to Picturesque Beauty; Made in the summer of the Year 1770 (Third Edition). / IV. An Essay on Prints – [″The chief intention of the following work was to put the elegant amusement of collecting prints, on a more rational footing; by giving the unexperienced collector a few principles and cautions to assist him”] (Fourth Edition with the printed dedication “To the Honorable Horace Walpole in Deference to his Taste in the Polite Arts; and the Valuable Researches he has made to improve them; the following work is inscribed by his most obedient and very humble servant, William Gilpin”). [Volumes I & II with 40 original illustrations and vintage 18th century maps [correctly 39 illustrations and one table], for example of Loch Lomond and the Firth of Forth/ all illustrations are vintage mezzotint-plates].

Mixed Editions. Four Volumes (bound in two). London, Printed for R. Blamire, Strand, 1792. Octavo. Pagination: Volume I: XI, [1], 221 pages with 24 mezzotints / Volume II: 195, XVI pages with 16 mezzotints and an “Account of the Prints” as well as “Translations of Latin Passages” / [Volume III]: [River Wye]: XVI, 152 pages with 16 (of 17) full – page mezzotints / [Volume IV]: [An Essay on Prints]: XIII, [3], 174 pages plus XI pages Index and 1 page Errata. Hardcover / Early 19th century quarter – morocco with gilt lettering and ornament on spine. Both volumes bound in unison. Very good + condition with only minor signs of external wear. Pages 185 – 191 of Volume I with some stronger browning. Otherwise the interior very clean. All mezzotints in very good or even better condition. This is the original copy from the historical Castle-Freke Library in West Cork (Ireland), with two armorial bookplates to front and rear pastedown with the family’s motto ‘Pro Patria’. With two pages of manuscript annotations by a contemporary hand with a reference between the common name “Tarbet” in Scotland and a place-name in County Kerry in Ireland” (pages 13 of Volume II) / another entry is on page 12 of Volume II regarding the name-sake “Loch-Loung” for a Lake of ships in Scotland and Ireland.

10. [Clonakilty / Castle Freke / Castlefreke]

Souvenir Views of Clonakilty – Duplex Souvenir Album containing ten Views of Clonakilty and surroundings, including Castle Freke, Cradle Rock, Rosscarbery Convent – The Postcard-Views in “Rich sepia Photogravure detachable for use as postcards, with miniature view of each picture for future reference”.

First Edition. Clonakilty, J.E.Spiller & Co., no year [c.1915]. Oblong slim-octavo. 10 sheets, perforated with miniature view. Original, printed softcover. Tiny faded dampstain to rear. Otherwise in unused, very good condition with only minor signs of external wear. Extremely scarce with the spectacular views of this rural area and the surroundings.