Galway Public Libraries is honoured to announce the donation of the Peadar O’Dowd Collection, comprising 110 original drawings of archaeological and historical monuments and sites from Galway city and county, together with sketchbooks, notebooks and related material documenting decades of heritage research and interpretation.
The collection has been donated by Mary O’Dowd, wife of the late Peadar O’Dowd, and will now be preserved in the permanent care of Galway Public Libraries, ensuring that this valuable resource will be available to future generations of researchers, historians and the wider public.
Peadar O’Dowd (1941-2024 ) was one of Galway’s most respected historians, heritage advocates, authors and educators. A native of Bohermore, he lectured at Regional Technical College Galway (later GMIT and Atlantic Technological University ) for more than three decades while developing a parallel and highly influential career in the field of local history and heritage. Through his books, newspaper columns, lectures, walking tours and public broadcasts, he inspired generations to appreciate and understand the rich cultural and historical heritage of Galway.
A prolific author, Peadar published numerous works on Galway’s history, waterways, archaeology and folklore, including Old and New Galway, Vanishing Galway, A History of County Galway, Galway in Old Photographs and Tracing Your Galway Ancestors. His weekly newspaper columns became a valued record of Galway’s people, places and stories, while his work in heritage conservation helped safeguard important elements of the city’s historic landscape, including support for the preservation of Galway’s canals.
The newly donated collection reflects another important aspect of Peadar’s contribution to heritage scholarship. The drawings illustrate archaeological monuments, historic buildings and sites across Galway, many of which featured in his publications. The collection also contains sketchbooks documenting milestones and heritage sites throughout County Galway, together with notes and research material relating to local history projects.
Amongst the material are records of Peadar’s contributions to heritage initiatives in Galway, including advice provided during the development of Eyre Square Shopping Centre that helped ensure the exposure and preservation of a section of the historic city walls.
Mary O’Dowd said she was delighted to donate Peadar’s drawings to the permanent care of Galway Public Libraries.
“It is something Peadar would have wished. I would like to thank Elizabeth Keane, Galway City and County Librarian, for all her help and co-operation with this process.”
Mary also expressed her hope that the collection would continue to be used as a resource for future generations:
“It is my wish that the drawings can be used and published by anyone in the future, with the permission of Galway Public Libraries and acknowledgement of Peadar O’Dowd.”
Galway City and County Librarian Elizabeth Keane welcomed the donation, noting that the collection represents an invaluable record of Galway’s built and archaeological heritage and a fitting legacy for a man whose life’s work was dedicated to documenting, protecting and sharing the history of Galway.
An official handover of the collection took place at Library Headquarters on 17 September 2026. The occasion was honoured by the presence of the Mayor of the City of Galway, Councillor Helen Ogbu, and the Leas-Chathaoirleach of Galway County, Councillor Michael Regan, who represented the local authorities.
Distinguished guests in attendance included Peadar’s wife, Mary, and members of his extended family. Also present were Bernard O’Hara, a close friend and former colleague of Peadar’s at the Regional Technical College Galway, later known as GMIT and now Atlantic Technological University (ATU ), and historian William Henry, a longstanding friend and associate of Peadar.
