THE LIBRARY: LOOKING BACK, 1995-1800

Catholic seminary and religious libraries in Ireland, with a few notable exceptions, are almost invisible institutions and their collections are largely unknown. An occasional photograph or a mention in passing in their institutions' history is all the information readily available. The library at Maynooth, because of the status of the college as national seminary, pontifical university and recognised college of the National University of lreland, has fared better. The two government commissions1 which, inquired in some detail into the administration of the college in the nineteenth century give an interesting insight into the functioning of the library in the early years. Several passing travellers give brief glimpses of it and there is a whole chapter on the library in the centenary history of the college