Tugann cartlann atá díreach seolta léargas uathúil faoin saol i gcampa géibhinn Tá cartlann dhigiteach nua d’irisí príosúin a scríobhadh i gcampa géibhinn na Ceise Fada i rith na 1970idí curtha ar fáil ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. San áireamh le Bailiúchán Paddy McMenamin tá dialanna lámhdhéanta uathúla agus albam grianghraf a tógadh sa phríosún sa tréimhse 1974-1976. Rinneadh McMenamin a imtheorannú sa Cheis Fhada i lár na 1970idí áit a raibh sé ina urlabhraí Caighin. Scríobh sé ailt d’irisí príosúin lena n-áirítear Misneach, An Síoladóir, agus Faoi Glas, chomh maith le bheith ina eagarthóir ar An Fuascailteoir. Ailt agus scríbhneoireacht ó na príosúnaigh Phoblachtánacha féin a bhí sna hirisí seo mar aon le dánta, ceachtanna Gaeilge agus ailt ar stair na hÉireann agus ar pholaitíocht idirnáisiúnta, agus rinne siad an obair ealaíne do na clúdaigh iad féin freisin. Smuigleáladh na hirisí amach as an gCeis Fhada i gcaitheamh an ama, agus coinníodh an bailiúchán sábháilte go dtí gur cuireadh i dtaisce le Leabharlann Ollscoil na Gaillimhe é. Tá léargas faoi leith le fáil sa bhailiúchán seo ar thaithí na gcimí Poblachtánacha sa Cheis Fhada i rith thréimhse de na trioblóidí ina raibh foréigean seicteach ag dul in olcas. Tugann na hirisí agus na grianghraif seo spléachadh dúinn ar an saol laethúil sa champa géibhinn i gcomhthéacs an oideachais, na díospóireachta agus ghnáthchúrsaí an lae.           Seo mar a labhair Paddy McMenamin: “Mar chéimí le Béarla agus Stair de chuid Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, tugann sé pléisiúr dom an bailiúchán seo de pháipéir bhunaidh ó Chaighin na Ceise Fada a bhronnadh ar Leabharlann Ollscoil na Gaillimhe mar phríomhfhoinse do mhic léinn a bheidh i mbun staidéir agus taighde ar stair na hÉireann san fhichiú haois. Is pribhléid dom a fheiceáil go mbeidh na hirisí seo caomhnaithe go sábháilte laistigh den Ollscoil.” Tá bailiúchán suntasach ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe cheana féin i ndáil le polaitíocht agus cultúr Thuaisceart Éireann i rith na tréimhse seo,  ó bhlianta na Gluaiseachta Ceart Sibhialta go dtí Comhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus anois tá cartlann McMenamin curtha leis. San áireamh leis an mbailiúchán tá cartlann an ghníomhaí ar son na síochána, Brendan Duddy, an acadóra agus abhcóide Kevin Boyle agus na státseirbhíseach Maurice Hayes. Is féidir rochtain a fháil ar Irisí Príosúin na Ceise Fada ar Stór Leabharlann Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: https://digital.library.universityofgalway.ie/p/ms/categories/paddy-mcmenamin             Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag Monica Crump, Leabharlannaí na hOllscoile: “Ba mhór an onóir dúinn gur fágadh an bailiúchán uathúil seo faoinár gcúram agus gur iarradh orainn é a chaomhnú do na glúnta atá le teacht. Ligfidh sé do scoláirí na todhchaí tuiscint éigin a fháil ar ar tharla sa Cheis Fhada, agus i dTuaisceart Éireann trí chéile i rith na dTrioblóidí.  Tá an-áthas orm go bhfuil catalógú déanta ar an mbailiúchán iomlán anois agus go bhfuil na hirisí príosúin digitithe agus curtha ar fáil ar líne. Beidh deis anois ag lucht léite i bhfad níos leithne foghlaim faoin tréimhse chorraitheach sin i stair na hÉireann agus tuiscint níos fearr a fháil ar ar tharla.            Labhair an Dr Barry Houlihan, Cartlannaí in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe mar seo a leanas: Bailiúchán tábhachtach atá i gCartlann McMenamin agus cabhróidh sé na glúnta atá le teacht a theagasc agus iad a chur ar an eolas faoi thaithí na gcimí i rith na dTrioblóidí. Tugann sé deis dúinn staidéar a dhéanamh agus tuiscint a fhorbairt ar thréimhse dheacair den stair ar an oileán seo, agus meabhraíonn sé dúinn a thábhachtaí atá a leithéid de chartlann as Tuaisceart Éireann, mar aon leo siúd atá á gcoinneáil i Leabharlann Ollscoil na Gaillimhe cheana féin, chun cuimhní agus taithí na ndaoine siúd a bhí thíos leis an gcoimhlint a chaomhnú. Reáchtáladh imeacht chun seoladh na n-irisí príosúin digitithe a cheiliúradh, agus bailiúchán McMenamin féin, agus bhí comhrá ann mar chuid de idir Paddy McMenamin agus an tOllamh Breandán Mac Suibhne, Ollamh le Nua-Stair na hÉireann in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Bhí plé painéil ann chomh maith ag ar labhair an Dr Mary Harris, Léachtóir Sinsearach le Stair in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe; an Dr Barry Houlihan, Cartlannaí i Leabharlann Ollscoil na Gaillimhe; agus an Dr Laurence Marley, léachtóir le Nua-Stair na hÉireann agus na Breataine. Sheol Dr Mary Harris leabhar nua McMenamin, Voices From Inside: The Hidden Journals of Long Kesh ag an imeacht freisin. Críoch

Newly released archive offers rare insight into life inside prison camp A new digital archive of prison journals created in Long Kesh internment camp during the 1970s has been made available by University of Galway. The Paddy McMenamin Collection includes unique hand-made journals and a rare album of photographs from inside the prison from 1974-1976. Interned in Long Kesh in the mid-1970s, McMenamin served as Cage PRO and contributed to a number of prison journals, including Misneach, An Síoladóir, and Faoi Glas, as well as serving as editor of An Fuascailteoir. Along with individual cover artwork, the journals featured articles and writings by Republican prisoners, poems, Irish language lessons and articles on Irish history and international politics. The journals were smuggled out of Long Kesh over time, preserving the collection, before it was deposited with University of Galway Library. The collection offers a unique perspective into the experiences of Republican prisoners in Long Kesh during a period of the Troubles marked by increasing sectarian violence. The journals and photographs provide a lens into life in the internment camp, including education, debate and daily life.            Paddy McMenamin said: “As a University of Galway graduate in English and History, it is a pleasure to donate this collection of original Long Kesh Cage papers to University of Galway Library as a primary source for students studying and researching 20th century Irish history. It is a privilege for me to see the journals safely preserved for posterity within the University.” The McMenamin archive adds to University of Galway’s already extensive collections relating to the politics and culture of Northern Ireland history, from the years of the Civil Rights Movement through to the Good Friday Agreement and its legacies. These include the archives of peacemaker Brendan Duddy, academic and barrister Kevin Boyle, and civil servant Maurice Hayes. The digitised Long Kesh Prison Journals are accessible from the University of Galway Library Repository: https://digital.library.universityofgalway.ie/p/ms/categories/paddy-mcmenamin             Monica Crump, University Librarian, said: “We were honoured to be entrusted to hold this truly unique collection and preserve it for future generations, so that scholars can get a glimpse into life in Long Kesh and indeed in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.  I am delighted to see the full collection catalogued and the prison journals digitised and made available online, so that an even wider audience can learn and experience some of the realities of this turbulent time in our history.”            Dr Barry Houlihan, Archivist at University of Galway Library, said: The McMenamin Archive is an important collection that will help teach and inform generations into the future about the experiences of prisoners during The Troubles. It allows us to study and understand a difficult time in our island’s history, and reminds us why such archives from Northern Ireland, along with those already housed at University of Galway Library, are vital to preserving the memories and experiences of those directly affected by, during, and after the conflict.” An event to mark the launch of the digitised prison journals and the release of the wider McMenamin collection featured a conversation with Paddy McMenamin and Professor Breandán Mac Suibhne, Professor of Modern Irish History at University of Galway. A panel discussion was also held, featuring Dr Mary Harris, Senior Lecturer in History at University of Galway; Dr Barry Houlihan, Archivist at University of Galway Library; and Dr Laurence Marley, lecturer in Modern Irish and British History. McMenamin’s new book, Voices From Inside: The Hidden Journals of Long Kesh was also launched by Dr Mary Harris during the event. Ends  

The Anderson Bridge, developed in 1891 by Professor Alexander Anderson, recognised as a landmark in electrical engineering innovation One of University of Galway’s former presidents has been recognised with a prestigious commemoration for his groundbreaking invention in electrical measurement, more than 130 years on from the discovery. IEEE - the world's largest technical professional organisation advancing technology for humanity - has formally dedicated an IEEE Milestone for the Anderson Bridge which was developed at the University in 1891 by Professor Alexander Anderson. The recognition is marked by a commemorative plaque now on permanent display in the University’s Alice Perry Engineering Building, named after the first woman to graduate in engineering in Ireland and the UK in 1913. Used as the standard method for measuring electrical inductance for much of the 20th century, the Anderson Bridge refined how inductance was understood and taught in electrical engineering worldwide. Built on the principles first explored by Michael Faraday, Joseph Henry, and James Clerk Maxwell, the device became a cornerstone in engineering education and practice. The IEEE Milestones program recognises significant achievements in technology that have had a lasting impact on humanity. The Anderson Bridge joins this prestigious list, honouring Professor Anderson’s enduring contribution to science and engineering. Alexander Anderson was appointed Professor of Natural Philosophy in 1885 and subsequently served as President of the University from 1899 to 1934. The laboratory where Anderson carried out his work is located in the main Quadrangle of the University and today is home to the Alexander Anderson Boardroom.              Professor Peter McHugh, Interim President of University of Galway, said: “Professor Alexander Anderson’s work has influenced generations of engineers worldwide, and we are proud to see this legacy honoured here on our campus. This recognition by the IEEE is a testament to the lasting contributions of research carried out at our university and reminds us of the how discoveries made here in Galway can shape the world.”             Kathleen Kramer, 2025 IEEE President and CEO, said: “Participating in IEEE Milestone dedication ceremonies, which recognise outstanding technical developments around the world, have always been joyful to me. Visiting these historically significant locations, where local volunteers have worked with technical experts, historians, and the public to celebrate pioneering achievements and the people behind them, is truly inspiring and a testament to how technological innovation benefits humanity. They are a great way to experience the history of technology alongside the global IEEE community.”             Professor Gerard Hurley, Emeritus Professor of Electrical Engineering at University of Galway and member of the IEEE, said: “As an undergraduate in electrical engineering in UCC, I became aware of the Anderson Bridge for measuring inductance. I didn’t realise then that its invention was close to home. Incredibly, my whole career in Power Electronics has revolved around transformers and inductors and fate intervened to place me in Galway, home of the invention. Achieving the Milestone crowns a long association with its applications.”             Professor Johan Enslin, Professor of Electrical Engineering at Clemson University and President of the IEEE Power Electronics Society, said: “Power Electronics engineers understand the term - To Measure is to Know - very well and this IEEE Milestone is an excellent reminder of this principal. The principles of the Anderson Bridge are embedded in our controls and development of power electronic inverters.” Ends