Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1809-1852 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
2 items
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Matthew Barrington was born on 21 May 1788 in Limerick as the eldest of five sons and two daughters of Joseph Barrington and Mary née Baggott. He was educated in Limerick and King's Inns and established a highly successful solicitor's practice in Dublin and Limerick. In 184, he was appointed a crown solicitor for Munster. From the 1840s he acted as solicitor and adviser to the Great Southern and Western Railway and was instrumental for the establishment of the railway station known as Limerick Junction. He was the founder of Barrington's Hospital and City of Limerick Infirmary (1831), the first general hospital in Limerick to provide for the poor. He owned extensive estates in Limerick and was the builder of the massive Norman revival castle, Glenstal. Matthew Barrington died on 1 April 1861 and is buried in St Mary's cathedral in Limerick.
Archival history
Unknown.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Purchased at Mealy's rare book sale on 14 December 2010.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This collection contains a client ledger and separate index from Sir Matthew Barrington's legal firm in Limerick city, providing names of clients and details of the legal affairs in which they were involved. The ledger, originally part of a multiple set of volumes, is of considerable historical interest in view of the distinguished client list, which includes both nobility and prominent merchants, and the level of detail provided of their legal affairs.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
All items have been retained.
Accruals
No accruals are expected.
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Unrestricted access to all items.
Conditions governing reproduction
Standard copyright regulations apply to all items. For photocopying or reproducing material, please consult with the staff.
Language of material
- Béarla
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Paper documents in good condition.
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
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Subject access points
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Description control area
Description identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
This description follows guidelines based on ISAD(G) 2nd edition, 2000; Irish Guidelines for Archival Description, 2009; National Council on Archives: Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997; and EAP Guidance on Data Protection for Archive Services, 2018.
Status
Level of detail
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Archivist's note
Papers arranged and described by Anna-Maria Hajba in August 2025.