We compile individual audio recordings, Oral History Collections and dedicated books to document and archive Irish local, national and social history. We also provide an interviewing service for those who wish to record a family member. Irish Life and Lore is not affiliated to any public or private body in relation to this work.
Audio recordings
The audio recordings that we produce are searchable according to their region or theme. Feel free to search the recordings database for particular subjects and locations. Recordings are in MP3 format (128 and 160 kbps). You can purchase individual recordings directly by download (€6.99). They may also be purchased on USB key or on disk.
Oral History Collections
Many of our audio recordings are gathered into themed Oral History Collections, which are commissioned by Irish local authorities, public bodies or institutions, colleges, private companies, or individuals. An illustrated catalogue, both digitised and in hard copy, is also produced for each collection.
If you are interested in commissioning or sponsoring an Oral History Collection, find out more here.
Books and journals
Several illustrated books based on our Oral History Collections, have been edited by Jane O’Keeffe. We have also developed a number of volumes of The Irish Kerry Journal.
Irish Life and Lore as a resource
The oral and written material that we produce is valuable to those who are interested in or involved in social or local research (qualitative resource), education (primary, post-primary, higher level), national history, social history, genealogy, sociology and dialect.
Our oral history recordings are also of value to the media. Our recordings have been broadcast on national and local radio stations including RTE Radio 1, Newstalk, Clare FM and Kerry Radio.
Topics that are covered in over 3,000 hours of audio recordings include theatre, drama, music and crafts, archaeology, hurling and gaelic football, horse racing, Irish missionaries, Irish business, politics and local Government, emigration and family history and much more.
Recording a family member
Memories are very precious, and once they are lost to time we can be full of regret at not having preserved them. Why not consider recording your family member or friend, giving them a platform to share their own unique story, and preserving their voice and their memories for the future? We can travel to your location to conduct an interview.
Please contact us for a quotation
Use of Irish Life and Lore Oral History Collections – copyright
Irish Life and Lore (Maurice and Jane O’Keeffe) retain copyright to the recordings compiled by them and to photographs created or sourced by them. When a library purchases an oral history collection, or collections, the promotional video supplied by Irish Life and Lore with the collection, which contains audio clips and images from the collection, may be used internally in the library and externally (e.g. YouTube) for promotional purposes. The recordings in their entirety may not be put on YouTube. Each recording in the oral history collection/s may be used in its entirety on library computers, and copies of the recordings may be made for lending to library members.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and currency of the information brought together on this website from a wide variety of sources and experience, Irish Life and Lore cannot accept liability for any consequences which may result from the use of this information for any purpose.
