George Petrie (1789-1866)

This month in Special Collections we focus on music, with particular reference to collectors of Irish music and song. On display this week is George Petrie’s The complete collection of Irish music (London : Boosey & Co., 1902-5). A painter and archaeologist, Petrie’s great love of Irish music inspired him to collect and record local music. He assisted Edward Bunting (1773-1843) in his collecting initiative, and went on to found the Society for the Preservation and Publication of the Melodies of Ireland in 1851.

Dublin-born Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924) edited this C20th edition, one of his many endeavours in the world of music.
If you would like to view the spotlight exhibition, please contact the staff of the Special Collections Reading Room in the Hardiman Research Building at specialcollections@nuigalway.ie.