Phases of the project

2012-2013

The Dúchas project commenced in 2012, when a digital archive and a custom-made data management and editorial interface were created for the purpose of indexing the Schools’ Collection material. The public interface was developed and designed to make the digitized and indexed material available to the public. 80% (c.64,000 items) of the material from four counties (Dublin, Donegal, Waterford and Mayo) in the Schools’ Collection was published on www.duchas.ie in December 2013.

2014-2016

All of the remaining bound volumes from the Schools’ Collection were digitized and indexed as well as a selection of copybooks relating to schools that do not have material included in those volumes. The digital archive and custom data management and editorial interface were also further developed, as was the public interface. A number of additional resources (an index of surnames, Meitheal Dúchas.ie and new specialized searches, for example) were developed. The Digital Repository of Ireland (DRI) was involved in an advisory role with regard to standards and inter-operability in digital archiving.

2017-2018

A newly designed website and digitized version of the National Folklore Collection’s Photographic Collection was launched. The new dúchas.ie website won An Suíomh Gaeilge is Fearr (the best Irish language website) at the eir Spiders.

A sample selection of volumes from the Main Manuscript Collection was launched at Oireachtas na Samhna 2018.

2019-2021

During this phase, a substantial portion of the Main Manuscript Collection was digitised and published online.

Current phase: 2022-2024

In this current phase, further material from the Main Manuscript Collection along with material from the Audio Archives will be digitised and published.

Digitization

Specialist contractors are employed to digitize the material in accordance with international best practice.

Hosting

The National Folklore Collection hosts the archive copy of the digitized collection, in consultation with the UCD Digital Library. Gaois hosts the dissemination copy of the digitized archive.

Indexing of the digitized material

The indexing of the folklore material in the digital archive is undertaken by the National Folklore Collection and Gaois. This work is being checked on an ongoing basis (you can let us know if you find any errors by contacting us at eolas@duchas.ie).

Events

Dinny McGinley, Minister of State for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, launched the project on 17 December 2013.

From left: Professor Peter Clinch (UCD), Minister of State Dinny McGinley T.D., Professor Ríonach uí Ógáin (CBÉ), Professor Ciarán Mac Murchaidh (FSG)

All volumes of the Schools’ Collection were launched in September 2016 by Seán Kyne, Minister of State for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

From left: Dr Brian Ó Raghallaigh (FSG), Dr Gearóid Ó Cleircín (FSG), Minister of State Seán Kyne T.D., Dr Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh (CBÉ)

Government Chief Whip and Minister of State with responsibility for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Joe McHugh T.D., launched the redesigned dúchas.ie website and a digitized version of the Photographic Collection at an event in the National Library of Ireland on 26 September 2017.