Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1867-1924 (predominantly 1880-1889) (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
7 items
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Charles Henry Gubbins was born at Woodstown, Lisnagry, county Limerick on 16 August 1859 as the fourth son of provision merchant and justice of the peace William Gough Gubbins (1820-1902) and his first wife Mary née Russell (d. 1874). The family later moved to Castle Troy, county Limerick and subsequently lived at Castleconnell, county Limerick. Charles was educated at St John’s College, Newport, county Limerick and Abbey School, county Tipperary, and followed his father into the merchant trade, working for the food company Messrs W. J. Shaw and Sons in Limerick.
In his free time, Charles Henry Gubbins was a keen cyclist and athlete. Between 1881 and 1887, he served as honorary secretary to the Limerick Amateur Athletic and Bicycle Club. He was a popular figure in social circles with a cheerful disposition and a good sense of humour. He possessed a good singing voice, played the cornet with notable skill and was an enthusiastic amateur thespian, appearing regularly both in concerts and plays.
In 1889, Charles moved to Cork to manage the firm’s branch in that city. It was probably here that he met his future wife, Martha Banyer Trew, whom he married in Cheddar, England on 2 February 1898. In 1900, Charles was promoted to the charge of W. J. Shaw & Sons’ head office in Manchester, in which city he remained for the rest of his life. He died in Manchester on 31 December 1932.
Archival history
Unknown.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Purchased for the University of Limerick from Mealy’s Rare Book Sale on 14 December 2010.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This collection comprises a scrapbook compiled by Charles Henry Gubbins and a number of loose items found inserted inside the book. The collection provides insights into the personal life of a humorous and sociable man and, more broadly, the rich cultural and sporting life of Munster in the last decades of the nineteenth century.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
All records have been retained.
Accruals
No accruals are expected.
System of arrangement
The documents have been arranged chronologically by date.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Unrestricted access to most items. Item P36/1 requires conservation treatment and is too fragile to be safely handled.
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
Bound volume in fragile condition and paper documents mostly in good condition.
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Some of the illustrations in P36/1 contain racial imagery which is considered inappropriate today and which viewers may find offensive.
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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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Sources
Archivist's note
Papers arranged and described by Anna-Maria Hajba in March 2024.