Treasures of the O’Gorman Special Collection

Blog Series - Volume 5

Lady Gregory

A literary collection owned by the late entrepreneur, local historian and supporter of the arts, Ronnie O’Gorman, was recently donated to the University of Galway. This collection, spanning three generations of the O’Gorman family, includes countless items of literary and historic value.

To read more about this donation, please see: O’Gorman Collection donated to the University of Galway.

This blog post will highlight some of the unique and important items by Lady Gregory with the O’Gorman Collection.

Previous edition of the Treasures of the O'Gorman Special Collection

Literature by Lady Gregory

The Golden Apple: A Play for Kiltartan Children

By Lady Gregory ; illustrated by Margaret Gregory

There are four copies of this text written by Lady Gregory in this collection.

Each copy is in very good condition. One copy features Lady Gregory’s bookplate. Another features its original dust jacket and is also signed by Lady Gregory.

Other previous owners include Colin Smythe, Inona Guthrie, and Arabella Waithman.

Originally published in 1916.

On The Racecourse: A Play in One Act

First edition

First edition copy of Lady Gregory’s play “On the Racecourse”.

Published in 1926.

On the Racecourse

The Kiltartan Wonder Book

By Lady Gregory ; illustrated by Margaret Gregory

There are two copies of this text written by Lady Gregory in this collection.

One copy features a note written and signed by Lady Gregory, dated the 21^st of August [1913].

Published in the early 20^th century, date of publication unknown.

My First Play by Lady Gregory

My First Play

Limited edition

This edition consists of 530 copies numbered and signed by the author, numbers 1 to 500 being for sale and numbers 501 to 530 for presentation.

Published in 1930.

Visions and Beliefs in the West of Ireland

By Lady Gregory, featuring handwritten note by W.B. Yeats

These volumes contain local folklore and legends from the west of Ireland, as collected by Lady Gregory and W.B. Yeats. Volume one is inscribed by W.B. Yeats with the following: "For wisdom is a butterfly and not a gloomy bird of prey / WB Yeats, May 16 1920."

Volume one and two of visions and beliefs in the West of Ireland is available in this collection.

Published in 1920.

Visions and Beliefs in the West of Ireland

Coole

Limited edition

Limited edition publication by Lady Gregory. Completed from the manuscript and edited by Colin Smythe with a foreword by Edward Malins. End papers are from an engraving of a cross-section of Coole House in 1749.

Published in 1971.

Signed volume by Lady Gregory

Hugh Lane's Life and Achievement, with Some Account of the Dublin Galleries

First edition

There are three first edition volumes of this text by Lady Gregory available in the collection. One copy is inscribed and signed by Lady Gregory to Hugh Lane’s nephew: “To Paddy Starkey, in memory of his friend Hugh Lane - with very kind regards from the writer I. Gregory - March 17, 1921."

The second copy is also signed and inscribed by Lady Gregory: "To Mona Gough, Coole, April 11 1921. This book will remind you, dear Mona, of days when Hugh has stayed with you - days very pleasant ... Gregory."

Published around 1921.

Volume featuring Lady Gregory's bookplate

Case for the return of Sir Hugh Lane's pictures to Dublin

Signed edition

In this volume, Lady Gregory details the status of Sir Hugh Lane’s works and why these should be returned to Dublin. This volume is signed by Lady Gregory.

Published in 1926.

Our Irish Theatre: A Chapter of Autobiography

Signed edition

Our Irish Theatre explores the history of Irish theatre including exploration of the impact of “Playboy of the Western World” and works by Synge. This volume is signed by Lady Gregory.

Published in 1914.

Literature about Lady Gregory

In defence of Lady Gregory, playwright

Signed edition

This volume written and signed by Ann Saddlemyer with the inscription.

This volume also has an ink stamp mark from W.M. Hart, a former owner of the book.

Published in 1966.

In Defence of Lady Gregory, Playwright by Ann Saddlemyer

J.M. Synge and Lady Gregory

Revised edition

Periodical on the publications and literary works by J.M. Synge and Lady Gregory as well as examination of the literature being written and developed in Ireland from the 1890s onwards.

Published in 1969.

All This Mine Alone: Lady Gregory & the Irish literary revival

Exhibition booklet

Booklet accompanying exhibition at the New York Public Library about the life of Lady Gregory.

Published in 2020.

Kiltartan Wonderbook

Some Letters of John M. Synge to Lady Gregory and W. B. Yeats

Limited edition

A selection of letters written by John M. Synge to Lady Gregory and W.B. Yeats selected by Ann Saddlemyer. Five hundred copies of this book have been printed on paper made in Ireland and published at the Cuala Press.

This copy is number 346 of 500.

Published in 1971.

Catalogue of printed books formerly in the library at Coole: the property of the Lady Gregory estate: days of sale, Monday, 20th March, 1972, Tuesday, 21st March, 1972

Sotheby sale catalogue

Auction catalogue for books being sold at auction by Sotheby's from Lady Gregory's collection at Coole House.

Published in 1972.

Seoda ó Bhailiúchán Speisialta O’Gorman

Sraith Blaganna – Uimh. 5

Lady Gregory

Bronnadh bailiúchán litríochta Ronnie O’Gorman, nach maireann, fiontraí, staraí áitiúil agus pátrún ar na healaíona, ar Ollscoil na Gaillimhe le déanaí. Trí ghlúin de mhuintir O’Gorman a thiomsaigh an bailiúchán seo, agus tá an iliomad míreanna ann ar cúis suntais iad ó thaobh na litríochta agus na staire de.

Is féidir tuilleadh a léamh faoin mbronntanas seo anseo: Bailiúchán O’Gorman bronnta ar Ollscoil na Gaillimhe.

Tarraingeoidh an blag seo aird ar roinnt de na míreanna uathúla agus tábhachtacha a bhain le Lady Gregory laistigh de Bhailiúchán O’Gorman.

Blaganna roimhe seo faoi Ábhair spéise ó Bhailiúchán Speisialta O’Gorman

Litríocht le Lady Gregory

The Golden Apple: A Play for Kiltartan Children

Le Lady Gregory; arna mhaisiú ag Margaret Gregory

Tá ceithre chóip den téacs seo le Lady Gregory sa bhailiúchán seo.

Tá riocht an-mhaith ar gach ceann acu. Tá leabharshuaitheantas Lady Gregory ar chóip amháin acu. Tá an forchlúdach bunaidh ar cheann eile acu agus í sínithe ag Lady Gregory.

I measc úinéirí eile an leabhair airíodh Colin Smythe, Inona Guthrie, agus Arabella Waithman.

Foilsíodh den chéad uair é in 1916.

On The Racecourse: A Play in One Act

Céad Eagrán

Cóip den chéad eagrán de dhráma Lady Gregory ‘On The Racecourse’.

Foilsithe in 1926.

On the Racecourse