Date: November 2015/ March 2017 – June 2017/September 2017

Supervisor: Zoë Reid (Head of Conservation)

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Occupying a key position in the cultural and intellectual life of the Irish nation, the National Archives holds the re­cords of the modern Irish State which document its historical evolution and the creation of their national identi­ty.

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From single items to large collection treatments, tight deadlines and heavy box lifting, this internship gave me more autonomy and confidence in my skills as it was my first professional experience after graduation. I was able to perform various tasks, among them:

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• Cleaning and repairs before digitisation of 10 volumes of the Books of Survey and Distribution collection

• Retagging, dry cleaning, mould removal and repairs in-situ

• Survey in the Reading Room (in-situ) and red rot consolidation 

• Change of the display cases

• Analysis, cleaning and flattening of a parchment collection

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The National Archives of Ireland gave me many opportunities, such as attending various workshops and conferences and visiting other conservation labs from leading Irish institutions. It also allowed me to present my projects by giving talks during lab tours, writing an article and becoming more interested in digitisation.

I also became an active member of the local conservation association, the Institute of Conservator-Restorers in Ireland (ICRI).

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