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CÓFLA houses a number of specialist collections of national and international importance. The books and papers of the late Cardinal Tómas Ó Fiaich (1923-1990) form the nucleus of the Library and Archive collections, but have been augmented with other collections; including the papers of Sister Sarah Clarke who worked extensively with Irish and other prisoners in Britain, Cardinal William Conway’s papers, and those of Monsignor Denis Faul and Monsignor Raymond Murray. The Murray papers include documents on ‘shoot to kill’ incidents and papers on Armagh Gaol, but permission is required. The Denis Faul Archive relates mainly to his pastoral and human rights on behalf of republican prisoners and members of the Catholic community in Northern Ireland from the early 1960s until his death in 2006. The archive can be accessed by accredited researchers with prior notice. Also available is material relating to the Scarman and Widgery Tribunals from Mr Charles Hill, Barrister to Tribunals. The Sarah Clarke archive is mostly accessible, although some issues of confidentiality pertain regarding people involved or named in papers. The Cardinal Conway Archive includes letters, correspondence, notes etc with both the British and Irish governments, internal church correspondence, and correspondence with republican organisations on Northern Ireland politics (particularly in respect to the Catholic community). This Archive is not yet open to the public. Similarly, the Tómas Ó Fiaich papers and the Fr Louis O'Kane interviews are still in the process of being archived and catalogued.
Wide variety of unique source material (local, Catholic Church and special interest).
Advance notice of research interests and intention to visit is advised.
Roddy HegartyEmail: Roddy.Hegarty@ofiaich.ie