Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- c. 1940s-1990 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
2 sub-series
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Timothy Looney, a native of Cahir, county Tipperary, was born in 1914. A well-known local historian, he could regularly be found exploring local castles, churches, graveyards and sites of archaeological interest. He was known to challenge established beliefs and traditions and to use the evidence of cross-disciplinary elements such as documents and landscapes to offer alternative interpretations. His house on Pearse Street, a treasure trove of maps, books, documents and photographs, was a popular port of call for genealogists tracing their ancestors and for scholars researching historical topics. Looney’s collecting activities culminated in a remarkable salvage operation to recover papers from Shanbally Castle, county Tipperary prior to its destruction by a controlled explosion in March 1960.
In addition to his historical pursuits, Looney was an active member of his local community. He had a lifelong interest in the GAA, and was influential in the development of Gaelic games in Cahir. He was a tireless charity worker and fundraiser. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he organised volunteers to travel around the country to collect money for the Central Remedial Clinic, known as the Little Willie Fund, to aid the plight of polio victims. A supporter of the trade union movement, he was also active in the Irish Transport and General Workers Union. He had a great fondness for Cahir, and campaigned prominently to save its historical railway station. Timothy Looney died in his native town in 1990.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This series contains Timothy Looney’s research notes, mainly pages photocopied from books and journals, typed and handwritten notes and bibliographies.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
The series has been arranged into two sub-series by form.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Unrestricted access to most items. Some items contain information relating to persons living or presumed living and are closed to protect individual privacy. These items and their closure periods have been identified in the descriptive catalogue.
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Paper documents mostly in good or reasonable condition. A number of items require conservation treatment and are too fragile to be safely handled.