Identity Statement
| Title | Loughrea Social & Literary Club, Minutes |
| Archive Reference | IE GCCA GS01/18 |
| Web Link to this Entry | https://iar.ie/archive/loughrea-social-literary-club-minutes |
| Creation Dates | 1892-1895 |
| Extent Medium | 100pp approx |
Context
Creator(s): Loughrea Social & Literary Club
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Administrative History ↴
Loughrea Social & Literary Club was established in 1892, by local businessmen, professionals and the goods clerk from the local railway station. The Club held its inaugural meeting on Sunday 21st August, 1892. Its primary objectives were (a) To bring together men of intelligence and literary taste for the purpose of [interest], changing their ideas, and for the free discussion of social topics in general; (b) To encourage the study of Irish Literature and afford facilities to its members to become acquainted with the great works of Irish writers; (c) To provide wholesome and instructive reading matter from the news papers, periodicals and magazines of the day for the edification and education of its members; and (d) To promote a love of everything that Irishmen should aspire to - Irish art, music and athletics. The entrance fee was initially 2/11 (two shilling eleven pence), and six pence each week. This was amended in November 1894 to ten shillings (10/-) per year to pay on being elected a member. Honourary membership cost 10/- (23 April 1893). The Committee agreed that ladies were only to be invited to meetings on special occasions (25 September 1892). Maud Gonne gave a lecture to the Club in April 1893. -
Archival History ↴
Donated to Galway Public Libraries by private citizen in 1983. -
Immediate Source Acquisition ↴
Donation
Content & Structure
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Scope & Content: Loughrea Social & Literary Club ↴
Minutes of proceedings of the General and Committee meetings of the Club, which were generally held weekly, though often suspended for the summer months. The minutes record attendance, election of new members and Committee members, and details of business transacted dealing with the management of the Club, such as of its Hall, its library, and arranging events, such as dances, debates and readings.
Includes Objects and Rules of the Club at the back of the volume, together with an address of welcome to Maud Gonne, and transcripts of various letters, such as from Count Plunkett (9 Merrion Row, Dublin, 1893) regarding the Club’s library, from W. O’ Leary Curtis (Honorary Secretary, Irish National Literary Society, 4 College Green, 4 November 1893 and 10 February 1894), and from the former Chairman, Joseph O’Flaherty, who on his resignation submitted a letter which included his views on the Club, stating
“We have been sailing under a pirate flag. In other words we hold aloft the banner of the Irish National Literary Society whilst we practice none of the tenets of its faith. We have no doubt made some progress in procuring a premises in forming the nucleus of a library in having enrolled so many members in our Club and in having a pretty substantial balance with an treasurer. But all this is not enough. ….. that you will labour to push the movement forward on the high and original lines laid down via:- Irish literature, Irish art, Irish music and why not the Irish language, and in working for the attainment of such glorious needs it is to be devoutly hoped that a kindly and fraternal feeling will pervade us all that the silver cords of mutual friendship and good will which I trust already bind us together will be knit more closely, that shortcomings or mistakes which might have occurred in the past will be overlooked and forgotten…’.
Minutes are generally signed by the Chairman.
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Appraisal Destruction ↴
Permanent Retention -
Arrangement ↴
One item only – no arrangement applicable
Conditions of Access & Use
| Access Conditions | Available on microfilm by appointment. |
| Conditions Governing Reproduction | No material may be reproduced from this collection without the written permission of the archivist, and reproductions are subject to the conditions of access. |
| Creation Dates | 1892-1895 |
| Extent Medium | 100pp approx |
| Finding Aids | Small collections guide On-line catalogue Archive Web Link → |
Allied Materials
There are no Allied Materials
Notes
Descriptive Control Area
| Archivist Note | Patria McWalter |
| Rules/Conventions | ISAD(G): General International Standard Archival Description. 2nd ed. Ottawa: International Council on Archives, 2000. |
| Date of Descriptions | 2007 |