The Irish Music Center of the John J. Burns Library is an archival and listening center, committed to documenting the history of Irish traditional music in America. The center's archives include commercial and field recordings, videorecordings, sheet music, manuscripts, photographs, memorabilia, and books about music. Many of the center's archival holdings have been generously donated, including 78-rpm and LP recordings of solo instrumental music, sean nós singing, ensemble performances, céilí bands, and folk songs and ballads. The center also records performances and interviews at Boston College, and works with the Center for Irish Programs to sponsor Irish music events on campus.
Access
Serving the music needs of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, the Irish Music Center is also available to the community of musicians and researchers beyond the university. Appointments are recommended, and may be arranged by telephone (617-552-3956) or e-mail (imc@bc.edu).
List of Named Collections
A-Z listing of named collections in the Irish Music Archives holdings.
O'Neill Library Collections and Services
The O'Neill Library Media Center makes its "preview room" available for browsing and listening to Irish music recordings. This collection of sound and video recordings is growing rapidly, focusing on recently published materials. Contact the Media Center (617-552-4466) for preview room or listening room reservations. (Musicians may bring an instrument to the preview room or to the listening room.) The O'Neill Library Stacks contain books of sheet music and song lyrics, and books and journals on the history of music and dance. Visitors are welcome to browse such areas of the stacks as M1744 (printed songs and music), ML287 and ML3654 (music history) and PR8861 (song lyrics). Contact O'Neill Library Reference (617-552-4472) for information or visit the Libraries hours page.
Questions? Contact the Irish Music Center
The Irish Music Center is located in the MacNeil Room of the Bapst Library, adjacent to the Burns Library. During the academic year, the center offers appointments Monday to Friday 9:30-4:30. Appointments are strongly recommended, since our space and facilities are limited. Requests for appointments outside normal working hours will be accommodated when possible. The Bapst Library building is located near the main Commonwealth Avenue Gate.
| Phone: 617-552-3956 Fax: 617-552-2465 Email: irish.music.center@bc.edu |
Mailing Address: Beth Sweeney Director, Irish Music Center John J. Burns Library Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3801 USA |
History
The Burns Library Irish Music Archives was founded by the Music Department, the Irish Studies Program, and the John J. Burns Library, in collaboration with visiting ethnomusicology professor Dr. Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin. Inspired by the work of the Irish Traditional Music Archive in Dublin, the Irish Music Archives of the John J. Burns Library began to preserve and promote Irish traditional music in America in 1990. The Irish Music Center works with Séamus Connolly and the Center for Irish Programs to fulfill the mission of the Irish Music Archives, documenting the cultural contributions of Irish and Scottish traditional musicians in America. For a fuller description, please see Earle Hitchner's article, "The Reel Deal," in the fall 2004 Boston College Magazine.