Local History & Archives Department

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Local History Department Opening Hours: Monday -  Friday 10:00am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm - 5:00pm
Address: Tralee Library, Moyderwell, Tralee, Co. Kerry, V92 X092
Tel: (066) 7121200
E-Mail: [email protected]


Please Note: Kerry Library staff will be glad to offer advice on queries concerning Kerry local studies. However, staff are not available to undertake research on behalf of members of the public. ​
Kerry Library: A Guide to Family History Sources: Download HERE
The Kerry Library Local History and Archives Department is dedicated to collecting, preserving and making available for reference, material related to the printed history of County Kerry. 

Our Local History reference collections includes: 
The reference collection includes: 
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  • Over 7,000 titles on Kerry and by Kerry authors (searchable on our online catalogue here)
  • Áitainmneacha Chiarraí/ Kerry Place Names Survey
  • Periodicals including Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society Journal, Journal of the Royal Society of the Antiquities of Ireland, Cork Historical Journal.
  • Map collection including 1st edition Ordnance Survey maps of Kerry (1841- 1842), Maritime Maps of Kerry (1861-1914), Godfrey Estate Survey Maps (1750-1825). 
  • 19th & 20th century Commercial Directories
  • Index of obituaries from Kerry Newspapers. 
  • Dr. Albert Casey's O'Kief, Coshe, Mang volumes
  • Irish Life and Lore Collections: Oral History recordings in conversation with local historians, archaeologists, folklorists and storytellers detailing aspects of Irish life in times past. Details of available collections can be viewed on our library catalogue here. 
  • Local Historical Photographs including Lawrence and Eason Collections.
On Microfilm: ​
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  • ​Irish Schools Folklore Collection (1937-38)
  • Tithe Applotment Books (1823-1837)
  • Griffith's Land Valuation (1847-1864)#
  • 1901 & 1911 Census
  • Local Newspapers dating back to the early 19th Century including:
-Kerry People (1902-1917) 
-Kerry Sentinel (1881-1913)      -Kerry Champion (1928- 1958)
-Kerry Advocate (1914-1916)      -Chute's Western Herald   (1828- 1835)
​-Kerry Evening Post (1828-1917)
-Killarney Echo & South Kerry Chronicle (1899-1920)
-Kerry Weekly Reporter
​ (1883-1920)
​-Kerry Evening Star (1902-1914)
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​-Tralee Liberator (1914 - 14 April 1921 and 7 August 1923 – 1939)
-Tralee Mercury (1829-1839)  
-Kerry Independent (1880-1884) 
-Kerry Examiner (1840-1856)
-Kerry Reporter (1924 - 1935) 
​-The Kerryman (1904 - 16 April 1921 and 18 August 1923 – to date)
-Tralee Chronicle & Killarney Echo (1843-1881)

Kerry Archives Collection:

​The Kerry Archives section, based at Kerry Library Headquarters, Tralee holds many and varied holdings. They include a coverage of local government from the Poor Law era onward, as well as a good selection of donated and salvaged material. The following list is a snapshot of what is available. Many of the collections have not yet been fully catalogued, but can be consulted if prior notice is given.
Kerry Library has an active archive collection and is interested in acquiring historical collections relating to Co.Kerry with a view to their long-term preservation. If members of the public are aware of business or family collections, which may be under threat for one reason or another, please contact 066 7121200 or [email protected]
Main Sources: 
  • Poor Law Boards of Guardians Minute Books for all of the Kerry Unions (1840-1922) plus Glin Union (Co. Limerick) 
  • Grand Jury Presentments, 1874-89 & 1892-97.
  • Kerry County Council Rate Books & Abstracts of Accounts.
  • Kerry County Board of Health Minutes (1922-42), Correspondence (1922-45) and Collection Books (1939-69). County Infirmary Minutes 1812-1913.  
  • Kerry County Committee of Agriculture Minutes, 1920-1988.
  • Rural District Council Minute Books, 1899-1925   
  • Tralee & Killarney UDC Financial Volumes. 
  • Dingle Harbour Commissioners Records.    
  • Tralee CYMS Minutes.   
  • Tralee YMCA Minutes, 1894-1906. 
  • Kerry Field Club Minutes (1939-1957)   
  • North Kerry Archaeological Survey Maps & Related Fieldwork Notes.  
  • Ordnance Survey, 1841 (1st edition).   
  • Geological Survey of Ireland – Kerry Maps.    
  • De Janasz / Vicars Estate.  
  • Chute Family Papers & Deeds, 1823-1940.    
  • Hurley/Fuller Estate, 1900-1940.
  • County Surveyor’s Reports 1899-1918.   
  • Crosbie Estate 
  • Robert McClure, Glenhazel, Land Agent, 1860s-1920s.
  • Denny Papers.
  • Knight of Kerry Valentia.   
  • Fr. Ferris Papers.   
  • Denis Sugrue Papers.
  • ​Maritime Maps, 1775 (Dursey to Valentia Island ) and 1860’s.    
  • O’Donovan & Sons, The Square, Tralee
  • Pat Meehan Menswear (formerly W A Lynn & Co.)
  • O’Brien Corkery & Company, Kenmare 1850-1952.  
  • Godfrey Estate Maps, 1750.    
  • Stoughton Estate Maps, 1729-1811.    
  • Lord Listowel Estate Rentals (1880s-1960s), Deeds (1812-1956) & Legal Proceedings Papers (1877-1970).   
  • James D Crosbie, Land Agent, 1892-1909.    
  • Gun Estate Rental (1879) and Legal Papers (1890-1949).    
  • Gun Browne papers.
  • Lord Ormathwaite Estate. 
  • Baron Ventry Estate Fair Rent Agreements (1906) & Legal Papers (1891-1920).    
  • Sandes Estate Papers, 1850s-1925. 
  • Theo Stoakley Local History Collection.   
  • Mícheál Ó Ruairc Papers.  
  • John O’Connell Solicitors Papers.    
  • Creagh & Byrne (Matthew Byrne & Co.) Papers.
  • The Kerryman Photographic Archive, 1957-1988    
  • O’Keeffe, McGillicuddy, Foley, Flahive, Leonard, Kearney, Keane and Gentleman families.  
  • Reidy Literary and Family Papers.  ​
  • The National Archives’ Business Records Survey has also produced some donations to the collections in the County Archives . Roche’s of Castleisland (1902-06 & 1922-24),  Robert McCowen & Sons Ltd. (1913-1922),O’Neill’s Store, Main Street, Cahirciveen, and Lynn & Knightly Outfitters.

Online Resources

Researchers visiting any branch of Kerry Library or the Local History and Archives Department can enjoy free access to The Irish Newspaper Archive and FindMyPast.ie when using our public access PCs. 

Kerry Library Digital Archive

A small number of resources have been digitised by the Kerry Library Local History & Archives Section and are available to view here: 

Kerry Library Postcard Collection

The Irish Tourist Association (ITA) Topographical and General Survey

​TaxPayers News

Kerry Related Fatalities in World War I

Kerry Publications Listings

Kerry Library Local History & Archives Department Media

Iconic Buildings of Kerry: View from the Archives: Architecture Kerry is now in its fourth year and celebrates Kerry’s architectural heritage.  Funded by Creative Ireland and Kerry County Council, Architecture Kerry 2021 features virtual events, talks, guided tours and exhibitions to showcase the extraordinary built environment on offer in Kerry and is open to people of all ages.  The vision behind Architecture Kerry is to show why good architecture, design and vibrant public spaces are vital to our quality of life. 
 
In support of the Festival, Kerry Library Archives presents a selection of views of iconic buildings from around the county, taken from its extensive postcard collection. See the full selection here.
Stories in Stones: Victoria McCarthy, Planner & Architectural Conservation Officer, Kerry County Council talks to the Archivist at Kerry Library, Michael Lynch, about the history of St John's Theatre & Arts Centre, Listowel during the time that it functioned for over 200 years as a church.
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Kerry County Council Decade of Centenaries Programme

Information about the Kerry County Council Decade of Centenaries Programme and associated resources can be accessed here.

Useful Genealogical &  Historical Research Websites

For a full listing of useful genealogical and historical research websites you can access from home please click here. 
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