Correspondence between John O'Donovan (1809-1861), and, principally, William Reeves (1815-1892): eighty letters (1832-1860) and twenty-six undated note fragments.

This collection of documents relating to Douglas Hyde comprises of Hyde's memoir and a collection of postcards. Hyde's memoir is in four parts, composed at various periods in 1918-19, mostly when he was ill and confined to bed. It looks back on various aspects of his career in the Irish language movement. The first part of the memoir is 9 pages long and in it Hyde writes of the politicisation of the Gaelic League and his subsequent resignation as President. Part 2 has 44 pages and discusses the Irish Language movement and the resignation of 'Sceilg', the columnist J. J. O'Kelly, at the 'Freeman's Journal'. Part 3 is 21 pages long and in it Hyde discusses the politicisation of the Coiste Gnóha or Executive Committee, the nature of this committee, and the gradual weakening of his own position. Part 4 is 19 pages long and recalls Hyde's first encounter with Thomas O'Neill Russell in 1877, O'Neill Russell's bitter attack on Michael Logan, editor of the American newspaper 'An Gaodhal', on points of grammar, his argumentative personality and his general lack of a sense of proportion. A collection of illustrated postcards with some miscellaneous items, in two sections: 1) Douglas Hyde: Some 60 items, mainly of correspondence, mostly illustrated postcards, in a variety of languages, dated mainly 1895-1938. The majority of items were sent to Hyde by scholars, students, Irish language activists, colleagues and friends in Ireland, the UK, US and continental Europe. Also included are two illustrated postcards sent by Hyde to Mrs Ethel Chance, Birmingham, a family friend, from San Francisco in February 1906. 2) Liam de Róiste: Some 30 postcards, mainly dated 1911-12, relating to his work as Secretary of Coláiste na Mumhan, the Irish College in Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh (Ballingeary), Co. Cork.

Envelope from unknown sender to Douglas Hyde featuring: list / note-taking / grammar.

Postcard from Iain Mac Aoidh to Douglas Hyde about: criticism of a book he just read and speaking of both Scottish Gaelic and Gaeilge.

Sender is hoping for advice on their grammar and to inform the post office on the use of the Irish language.

[Letter from Miss [Quinn] (Tallaght, County Dublin) to Eugene O'Curry, regarding various mottoes and their translation.]

[Draft letter, in Eugene O'Curry's hand, to an unnamed correspondent, concerning a publication which he refers to as 'The Great Dictionary'.]

[Letter from George Stephens to Eugene O'Curry, discussing O'Curry's health; Irish manuscripts in Scandinavia; and the origin of a casket.]

[Copy, in Eugene O'Curry's hand, of a letter from John Thurnham, mostly containing queries on etymology; and on the invasions of Galloway from Ulster.]

[Part of a letter from Eugene O'Curry (11 Judd Street, Brunswick Square, London) to 'My dear Doctor', regarding comments on the corrections of unspecified proofs.]

[Copy letter from Eugene O'Curry to Rev. Burke, giving his opinion on the sheets of grammar sent to him.]

[Draft letter from Eugene O'Curry to [John Henry Newman], criticising the 'Rev. Mr. Burke's Grammar'.]

Letter from Roger Casement (The Savoy, Denham, Bucks., England) to [Robert] Donovan, concerning the prosecution of Alderman Cole, 'for having his name on his cart in Irish'.

[Letter from E. Murphy (Kenmare, County Kerry) to William [Maunsell] Hennessy (Record Office, Four Courts), describing Murphy's study of Irish language and place names.]

[Letter from Whitley Stokes (Lincoln’s Inn) to James Henthorn Todd, concerning Todd’s "Cogadh Gaedhel re Gallaibh" and the editorial conventions he adopts.]

[Letter from Sylvester Malone (Kilkee) to James Henthorn Todd (Trinity College Dublin), concerning Todd's translation of the Book of Leinster and the possible translation of other manuscripts, including the Book of Iniscathaig (sic), the Gospels of Roscrea and the Annals of Nenagh.]

[Letter from John O'Donovan (Dublin) to William Reeves, discussing the meaning of the word Dobhar.]

[Letter from John O'Donovan (8 Newcomen Place, North Strand, Dublin) to William Reeves (Parsonage House, Ballymena, Co. Antrim), discussing the meaning of some Irish words, particularly from the Belfast bell inscription.]

[Letter from William Reeves ([Parsonage], Ballymena, Co. Antrim) to John O'Donovan, concerning mainly Irish place names; includes O'Donovan's response.]

[Letter from William Reeves (Parsonage House, Ballymena, Co. Antrim) to John O'Donovan, concerning Irish place and family names; includes O'Donovan's response.]

[Letter from John O'Donovan (36 Buckingham Street, Dublin) to William Reeves, discussing unsolved topographical questions.]

[Letter from John O'Donovan to William Reeves, discussing the problematic printing of the Annals.]

[Letter from John O'Donovan (36 Buckingham Street, Dublin) to Edmund Getty, sending some Belfast maps and translating some Irish names.]

[Letters from John O'Donovan, Dublin to William Reeves (Diocesan School, Ballymena, Co. Antrim), discussing his and O'Curry's transcription of the Brehon Laws.]