• 29 Jan 2021

Irish Architects feature prominently in 1922-2022: A Century of Change in Ireland Oral History Collection

The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) in partnership with Maurice and Jane O'Keeffe of Irish Life and Lore, is delighted to announce contributions from Irish Architects to 1922-2022: A Century of Change in Ireland Oral History Collection.

Irish Life and Lore is a three-year oral history project, running until November 2021, coinciding with the centenary of the formation of the Irish Free State. The project aim is to record and archive the testimonies of people who have contributed to the development of Ireland in which we live and work today. The RIAI is delighted to collaborate with the project, which includes notable Irish Architects who have contributed handsomely to Irish society. The project will also feature notable individuals who have shaped the country in the form of business, the arts, medicine, engineering, historians and many others.  

Contributors in this phase include: David Browne, Des McMahon, Brian O’Connell, Ciaran O’Connor, David O’Connor, Shane O’Toole, James Pike, Patrick Shaffrey, Niall Scott, John Tuomey and Sheila O'Donnell, Alex White.

Kathryn Meghen, RIAI CEO said: “The RIAI is delighted to partner with Maurice and Jane O'Keeffe of Irish Life and Lore, to bring together this unique project. It is a credit to the Irish architectural profession that many Architects will feature in this project. I believe this demonstrates the appreciation of how much we as a nation value the profession’s commitment to innovate and deliver for the public good. Irish architects have enjoyed much success at home and continue to receive global recognition. It is important that we acknowledge those who have contributed to the development of the Ireland in which we live and work today.”

Project instigator, Maurice O’Keeffe said: “We would like to express our thanks to the architects who agreed to provide their testimonies, and details of their distinguished careers, for the benefit of students and researchers into the future.  We are also very grateful to our two main philanthropic sponsors, and RIAI, without whose foresight the work could not have been undertaken. We at Irish Life and Lore look forward to bringing you this event which marks the completion of Part 2 of the 1922-2022: A Century of Change Oral History Collection.”

To hear the interviews with Irish Architects please visit the Members Knowledge Centre

An interview with Maurice O'Keeffe and Justin McCarthy of RTE. Profiles, recorded in the RDS Library in December is available on YouTube. It features recordings by Des McMahon FRIAI and Joan O’Connor FRIAI (ca 30 min into the recording). 

See www.irishlifeandlore.com for further details.