Information resources

Weekly Pick

Some of the most interesting stories and photographs are shown as the 'Weekly Pick' on this site; you can browse through them here.

Festivals

Stories, images and information about some major feast days are available as a resource for teachers and the public:

• St Brigid's Day [pdf]
• St Patrick's Day [pdf]
• May Day [pdf]
• St John's Eve [pdf]
• Halloween [pdf]
• Christmas [pdf]

Publications

Background and history of the Collections

• Almqvist, Bo 1977-9. 'The Irish Folklore Commission: achievement and legacy.' Béaloideas 45–7: 6–26.
• Bale, Ann 2010. ‘Guthaí agus Glórtha: an Chartlann Fuaime’, in Treasures of the National Folklore Collection/Seoda as Cnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann, ed. Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh, Séamas Ó Catháin, Ríonach uí Ógáin & Seosamh Watson, 163-71.
• Bhreathnach, Úna; Mag Eacháin, Conchúr agus Ó Cleircín, Gearóid 2017. '"Is doiligh olann a bhaint de ghabhar": Tráchtaireacht an Mhúinteora ar Imleabhair Bhailiúchán na Scol.' Béaloideas, 85: 122-42.
• Boland, Rosita 2010. ‘"Men who could catch horses and rabbits by running after them": The Schools’ Collection', in Treasures of the National Folklore Collection/Seoda as Cnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann, ed. Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh, Séamas Ó Catháin, Ríonach uí Ógáin & Seosamh Watson, 133-41.
• Briody, Micheál 2007. The Irish Folklore Commission 1935-1970: History, ideology, methodology. Helsinki: Finnish Literature Society.
• Burke, Anne 2010. ‘Framing the Archive: the Photographs', in Treasures of the National Folklore Collection/Seoda as Cnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann, ed. Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh, Séamas Ó Catháin, Ríonach uí Ógáin & Seosamh Watson, 123-31.
• Delargy, J. H. 1945. The Gaelic story-teller: with some notes on Gaelic folk-tales. London: Cumberlege.
• Dunne, Michelle 2023. Saintréithe de Thraidisiún Béil na mBan agus Léiriú na mBan i gCnuasach Sheáin Mhic Mhathúna. PhD Thesis, Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge, Dublin City University.
• Irish Folklore Commission 1937. Irish Folklore and Tradition. Dublin: the Department of Education.
• Irish Folklore Commission 1937. Béaloideas Éireann. Dublin: the Department of Education.
• Jackson, Joelle 2021. 'How the Homework of 1930s Irish Schoolchildren Invites Folklore Studies Participation Today.' Folklife. Online.
• Lysaght, Patricia 2010. 'Focus on Cill Rialaigh, Co. Kerry: Photographs, Drawings and Plans', in Treasures of the National Folklore Collection/Seoda as Cnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann, ed. Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh, Séamas Ó Catháin, Ríonach uí Ógáin & Seosamh Watson, 75–83.
• Mac Cárthaigh, Críostóir 2010. ‘Sketches from the field: the Simon Coleman collection', in Treasures of the National Folklore Collection/Seoda as Cnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann, ed. Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh, Séamas Ó Catháin, Ríonach uí Ógáin & Seosamh Watson, 15-21.
• Ní Dhuibhne, Éilís 2010. '"Dublin made me and no little town": The Urban Folklore Project 1979 – 80', in Treasures of the National Folklore Collection/Seoda as Cnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann, ed. Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh, Séamas Ó Catháin, Ríonach uí Ógáin & Seosamh Watson, 173–81.
• Ní Fhloinn, Bairbre 2010. '"A well-discoursed man": Jim Delaney', in Treasures of the National Folklore Collection/Seoda as Cnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann, ed. Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh, Séamas Ó Catháin, Ríonach uí Ógáin & Seosamh Watson, 115–21.
• Nic Lochlainn, Caoimhe 2016. '"A work of National Importance": Child–Adult Dynamics in Bailiúchán Na Scol/The Schools’ Collection, 1937-39'. The Journal of the History of Childhood and Youth, 9.2: 203-11.
• Ó Catháin, Séamas 1988. ‘Súil siar ar Scéim na Scol 1937-1938’. Sinsear, 5: 19-30.
• Ó Catháin, Séamas 1998. ‘It's us they're talking about’ in: Proceedings from the McGlinchey Summer School 1998, Donegal.
• Ó Catháin, Séamas 2010. ‘Conallach Dearscnaitheach Dílis: Seán Ó hEochaidh', in Treasures of the National Folklore Collection/Seoda as Cnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann, ed. Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh, Séamas Ó Catháin, Ríonach uí Ógáin & Seosamh Watson, 23-31.
• Ó Cleircín, Gearóid, Bale, Anna and Ó Raghallaigh, Brian 2014. 'Dúchas.ie: ré nua i stair Chnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann'. Béaloideas, 82: 84–100.
• Ó Cleircín, Gearóid, Mag Eacháin, Conchúr and Bale, Anna 2015. 'Managing the Digitization and Online Publication of Sensitive Heritage Material in the Dúchas Project.' New Review of Information Networking 20.1-2: 194-99.
• Ó Danachair, Caoimhín. 'Sound Recording of Folk Narrative in Ireland in the Late Nineteen Forties'.
• Ó Héalaí, Pádraig 2010. ‘Seosamh Ó Dálaigh: Máistir i mBun a Cheirde', in Treasures of the National Folklore Collection/Seoda as Cnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann, ed. Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh, Séamas Ó Catháin, Ríonach uí Ógáin & Seosamh Watson, 85-93.
• Ó Súilleabháin, Seán 1937. Láimh-leabhar béaloideasa. Dublin: Comhlucht Oideachais na h-Éireann.
• Ó Súilleabháin, Seán 1973. Storytelling in Irish Tradition. Cork: Mercier Press.

Works based entirely on the Schools' Collection

• Barron, Carol and Soverino, Tiziana 2018. 'Put a Frog in Your Mouth: Toothache "Cures" from Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century Ireland.' Journal of the history of dentistry, 66.1: 14-24.
• Barron, Carol agus Soverino, Tiziana 2020. 'Snails, Water in a Stone, and Holy Wells: An Examination of Wart Cures from the Irish Schools' Folklore Collection, 1937–38.' Folklore, 131.4: 386-412.
• Byrnes, Sean 2023. 'Malignant Fairies, Hidden Treasure and Cures for Warts: The Folklore of a Westmeath Parish in 1937.' Iarmhí, 1.2:58-64.
• Hastings, Caitríona 2009. Ag Bun na Cruaiche, Folklore and Folklife from the Foot of Croagh Patrick. Dublin: Nonsuch Ireland.
• Koptev, Nikita 2023. Text creation and text reproduction in Irish folk culture: a study of folklore texts collected by adults and by children. PhD Thesis, University of Galway.
• Ní Dhíoraí, Áine (ed.) 1985. Na Cruacha: Scéalta agus Seanchas. Dublin: An Clóchomhar Tta.
• Ní Ghallchobhair, Eithne 2017. Scéaltaí: The 1930s Schools' Manuscript Collection in County Donegal. Donegal: Donegal County Council.
• Nic Giolla Chomhaill, Ailbhe (ed.) 2016. An Chaora Ghlas agus scéalta as Seanadh Farracháin. Indreabhán: Leabhar Breac.
• Nic Philibín, Caitríona and Mac Con Iomaire, Máirtín 2021. 'An exploratory study of food traditions associated with Imbolg (St. Brigid’s Day) from The Irish Schools’ Folklore Collection.' Folk Life, ed. Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire, 59.2: 141-160.
• Ó Baoill, Dónall (ed.) 1992. Amach as ucht na sliabh : cnuasach béaloidis a chruinnigh daltaí sna Scoileanna Náisiúnta i bParóiste Ghaoth Dobhair faoi Scéim na Scol 1937-'38. Imleabhar 1. Gaoth Dobhair: Cumann Staire agus Seanchais Ghaoth Dobhair.
• Ó Catháin, Séamas and Uí Sheighin, Caitlín (ed.) 1987. A Mhuintir Dhún Chaocháin, Labhraígí Feasta! Cnuasach Béaloidis a bhailigh daltaí de chuid Scoil Náisiúnta Cheathrú Thaidhg, Iorras, Contae Mhaigh Eo faoi Scéim na Scol 1937-1938. Indreabhán: Cló Chonamara.
• Ó Catháin, Séamas and Uí Sheighin, Caitlín (ed.) 1996. Le Gradam is le Spraoi: Cnuasach Béaloidis ó thrí Scoil Náisiúnta i gContae Mhaigh Eo – Gleann na Muaidhe, Ros Dumhach, Port Durlainne – a bailíodh faoi Scéim na Scol 1937-1938. Indreabhán: Cló Iar-Chonnachta.
• Ó Coigligh, Ciarán (ed.) 1990. Seanchas Inis Meáin as Bailiúchán na Scol. Dublin: Coiscéim.
• Ó Grianna, Conall 1998. Rann na Feirste: Seanchas ár Sinsear. Donegal: Cló Cheann Dubhrann.
• Ó Muirí, Lorcán 2018. 'Scéalta agus Seanchas ón gCúl Rua: Scéim na Scol i Scoil Náisiúnta Bhaile Mhic Airt'. An Linn Bhuí, 22: 1-6.
• Shannon, Fíona; Sasse, Astrid; Sheridan, Helen agus Heinrich, Michael 2017. 'Are identities oral? Understanding ethnobotanical knowledge after Irish independence (1937–1939)'. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 13.

Works containing substantial material from the Schools' Collection

Connaught

• Beiner, Guy 2007. Remembering the Year of the French: Irish Folk History and Social Memory. Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press.
• Blackmore, Liz; Cronin, John; Ferrie, Dónal; Higgins, Bríd (ed.) 2001. In Their Own Words: The Parish of Lackagh- Turloughmore and its People. Lackagh. Co. Galway: Lackagh Museum Committee.
• Bohola Post, No. 34, Bohola, Co.Mayo, 2006.
• Cathair na Mart: Journal of the Westport Historical Society 2006-2007, No. 25, Westport Historical Society, Westport, Co. Mayo, 2006. Table of contents can be found here
• Clegg, Rosemary 2006. Sranagarvanagh: A townland in Leitrim. Ballinagleragh (publisher unknown).
• Clonfert National School Jubilee Committee 2002. Scoil Bhreandáin Naofa, Cluain Fearta 1952-2002. Clonfert, Co. Galway: Clonfert National School Jubilee Committee.
• Corsallagh Scholars Reunion Committee 2004. Memories of Corsallagh National School 1883-1968. Corsallagh, Co. Sligo (publisher unknown).
• Gallagher, Mary; Casey, Jane, Garvey, Margaret 2002. Voices. Ballaghaderreen, Co. Ros Comáin (publisher unknown).
• Glenhest Community Committee 2000. Glorious Glenhest: Memories of a Community. Glenhest, Co. Mayo: Glenhest Community Committee.
• O’Hara, Bernard (ed.) 2013. St. John’s School, Carramore, Kilasser, 1913-2013. Kilasser, Co. Mayo: Carramore School Centenary Committee.
• Killaraght History Committee 2002. Killaraght: Cill Athracht, A History. Killaraght, Co. Sligo (publisher unknown).
• Mac Hale, Conor 2003. Inishcrone & O’Dubhda Country. Stillorgan, Co. Dublin: IHR Publications.
• Newtown National School Centenary Committee 2003. Scoil Mhuire Newtown 1903-2003. Creagh, Co. Roscommon: Newtown National School Centenary Committee.
• Rathkell Centenary Committee 2007. Rathkell National School Centenary 1907-2007, Rathkell, Co. Mayo (publisher unknown).
• O’Regan, Carol; Lacey, Audrey 1996. Abbeyknockmoy: A Time to Remember. Abbeyknockmoy, Co. Galway: Abbeyknockmoy Community Council.
• Scannell, Jo; Cooke, Cecil 2004. A Social History of Aughrim since 1691. Aughrim, Co. Galway: Aughrim Development Company Limited, 2004
• Slievenakilla School Reunion Committee 2004. Slievenakilla School Reunion 2004. Ballinagleragh, Co. Leitrim: Slievenakilla School Reunion Committee.

Leinster

• Bree Parish Journal No. 13, Bree Parish Committee, Bree, Co. Wexford, 2007.
• Cooke, Jimmie (ed.) 2008. Kilmacow Folklore: County Kilkenny St. Senan’s Boys National School Kilmacow for Schools’ Scheme 1937-39, Irish Folklore Commission and Memoirs of Kilmacow, Kilmacow, Co. Kilkenny (publisher unknown).
• Corduff National School Board of Management 2006. Corduff National School, Corduff, 1906-2006. Corduff, Lusk, Co. Dublin: Corduff National School Board of Management.
• Crowley, Seán, (ed.) 2008. Horeswood Folklore: Voices from 1938. Horeswood, Co. Wexford: Seán Crowley.
• Mostrim Heritage and Historical Society 2007. Edgeworthstown: Myths and Memories...seo is siúd... Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford (publisher unknown).

Munster

• Boherlahan-Dualla Historical Journal, Boherlahan-Dualla Historical Journal Society. Boherlahan-Dualla, Co. Tipperary, 2006.
• Ní Chadhla, Eilín 1998. Kilcorney-Rathcoole: A History. Kanturk, Co. Cork: Kilcorney – Rathcoole Historical Society.
• Daly, Eugene 2005. Leap and Glandore: Fact and Folklore. Leap, Co. Cork: Heron’s Way Press.
• Glór Chuilinn Uí Chaoimh, Imleabhar 2, Cuilinn Uí Chaoimh, Co. Cork, 1993.
• Knockfierna & District Annual Journal, Vol. 4, Cnoc Firinne Heritage and Folklore Group, Knockfierna, Co. Limerick, 1992.
• Skibbereen and District Historical Society Journal, Vol. 2, Skibbereen and District Historical Society, Skibbereen, Co. Cork, 2006.
• Tradraí ’05. Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare: Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Cora Chaitlín, 2005.

Ulster

• Ballyconnell Heritage Group 2000. Beneath Slieve Rusheen’s Slopes: Kildallan-Tomregan, a look at the past. Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan: Ballyconnell Heritage Group.
• Ní Dhíoraí, Áine (ed.) 2008. Scoil na gCruach: Tír Chonaill, 1907-1971. Donegal: Coiste Scoil na gCruach.
• Hunter, A.C. 2021. The Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig and the Schools’ Folklore Scheme (1937-1938): a historic biodiversity survey. Co. Monaghan.
• Meehan, Helen 2005. Inver Parish in History. Mountcharles, Co. Donegal: Helen Meehan.
• Smith, Jimmy (ed.) 2001. Lackan National School: Ballyjamesduff Reunion 1894-1978. Lackan, Co. Cavan (publisher unknown).

External links

• YouTube videos by Dúchas and the NFC.
• Nationwide video about the Schools’ Collection.
• Meon Eile video featuring John Mhicí Ó Baoill who took part in The Schools' Collection in the 1930s.
• Insint Eile - A series of short dramas based on the Schools’ Collection.
• Blúiríní Béaloidis - NFC Podcast.
• Gaois Blog - News (in Irish) from Gaois.
• 'Ireland’s darkest, oddest and weirdest secrets uncovered' - Article by Manchán Magan published in the Irish Times, 17 March 2018.
• 'Dúchas - Do cheantar, do mhuintir, do theanga (Gaeilge Chonnacht)' - a teaching resource for second-level by Nils Pappers.