Oral History in Kilkenny
Oral history is the collecting and recording of the memories and experiences of people. Oral history can give a voice to individuals and groups who are sometimes marginalized in 'conventional' histories - the working classes, women and ethnic minorities, for instance. It can provide new information, alternative explanations and different insights which are potentially of enormous value. The spoken word can convey feelings and emotions with an immediacy and an impact that the written word cannot match, as well as preserving a record of local dialects and accents.
The Heritage Office has commissioned oral history projects, organised training on oral history for community groups, and has also compiled a database of the known oral history recordings from County Kilkenny. To read the database click here.
This database will be of use to anyone doing research or interested in their local area. If you are aware of any other recordings which we haven't included, and which are relevant to County Kilkenny, we would be delighted to hear about them.
Any of the recordings which are archived in the Local Studies Section of Kilkenny County Librarycan be accessed by contacting:
To download a useful guide "Collecting and Preserving Folklore and Oral History: Basic Techniques" click here
Relevant Links:
http://www.oralhistorynetworkireland.ie/
Related Links:
