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A new exhibition ‘Limerick Legacies: The Earls ��ɫ��Ƶ’ at the ��ɫ��Ƶ delves into the rich and multifaceted history of the Pery family, Earls ��ɫ��Ƶ.  

The exhibition highlights several notable items from the Limerick Papers, a rich archival collection spanning nearly 500 years. The collection was originally placed in the care of the Limerick Civic Trust, who in 2018, collaborated with the Glucksman Library at ��ɫ��Ƶ, to archive and digitise the collection. 

The launch of the exhibition marks a significant milestone in the stewardship of the Limerick Papers: the collection is now fully catalogued, digitised, and openly accessible worldwide via the Glucksman Library's  and . This development enhances opportunities for research, teaching, and public engagement, and reflects the ��ɫ��Ƶ’s ongoing commitment to preserving and sharing cultural heritage. 

The collection, housed in the Library’s Special Collections and Archives Department, offers a rare and detailed glimpse into the lives, achievements, and influence of one of Ireland’s most prominent aristocratic families, and their role in shaping Limerick’s civic and cultural identity.  

The Limerick Papers encompass a wide array of documents, including personal correspondence, estate records, architectural plans, legal papers, and visual materials such as photographs and sketches.  

From the early days of Edmond Sexten, a 16th-century mayor ��ɫ��Ƶ, to the modern-day descendants of the family, the archive captures the enduring legacy of the Perys in Limerick and beyond. The collection is particularly strong in materials from the 19th century, a period of significant political and social change. 

Using archival extracts and images, the exhibition is structured around four key themes, each highlighting a different aspect of the Pery family’s legacy, including the family’s lineage and the establishment of the earldom in Limerick, as well as their architectural patronage and lasting influence on Limerick’s built heritage.  

The exhibition showcases two fascinating personal artifacts from the collection: the 17th century commonplace book of Colonel Edmund Pery, filled with Enlightenment-era knowledge; and a scrapbook compiled by May, Countess ��ɫ��Ƶ, offering a personal view into aristocratic life in Ireland at the turn of the 20th century. 

Ciara McCaffrey, University Librarian and Director, said: “The Limerick Papers are an invaluable resource for understanding the civic and cultural history ��ɫ��Ƶ, and for situating that history within broader national and international contexts. Estate collections like this one play a vital role in research and enrich our collective understanding of the past. 

Making the archive globally accessible, as well as showcasing it through this wonderful exhibition, reflects the University Library’s commitment to open scholarship and public engagement. I want to thank the Earl ��ɫ��Ƶ and his family for entrusting these papers to the University Library, ensuring the collection is in the public realm where it can be preserved, interpreted and shared for the benefit of all.  I would also like to thank the Limerick Civic Trust, and the expert staff in the Glucksman Library’s Special Collections and Archives and Digital Scholarship and Systems departments.” 

The exhibition was launched ��ɫ��Ƶ Library on 28 October by Acting President Professor Shane Kilcommins. Invited guests included Edmund Pery, 7th Earl ��ɫ��Ƶ, and David O’Brien, CEO of the Limerick Civic Trust, among others. 

The exhibition will run in the Glucksman Library for the duration of the academic year 2025/26. Members of the public can access the exhibition by contacting specoll@ul.ie.