Special Collections

Please note that, due to the RIAM redevelopment, the RIAM Library's Special Collections are currently in storage and are not accessible. 

The Library’s Special Collections were originally privately collected or belonged to Dublin orchestral and choral societies active in the 18th and 19th centuries.

These include:

• The Sons of Handel and the Antient Concerts Society collections. These societies kept alive a choral tradition in Dublin from 1790 to 1863.
• The collection of the Anacreontic Society an orchestral society active in Dublin from 1740 to 1865.
• The Hudleston Collection of 19th century solo and chamber music for guitar, in original and contemporary editions.
• The Joan Trimble Collection: the personal collection of books and scores owned by the composer and pianist.

The library also holds most of the published works of Michele Esposito (1855-1929). This Italian-born composer, conductor and musician was a central figure in the RIAM and in Dublin musical life from 1882 to 1928.

There are also printed and manuscript works by other RIAM composers, such as Robert Stewart and Fanny Robinson.

Discover more about these collections in our online exhibition space, The Academy Remembers.

For more information about the Special Collections, please contact the librarian at philipshields@riam.ie or +353-1-6325318.