A collection of 4,000 personal items belonging ten times lord mayor of Dublin Alfie Byrne has been officially given to the Little Museum of Dublin today.
The Alfie Byrne Collection includes some thousands of documents and personal items among which are letters, photographs and souvenirs.
The independent politician known as the “shaking hand of Dublin” the lord mayorship a record ten times between 1930s and 1950s. He was also an MP and TD for the city. He was noted for his smart dress-style and waxed moustache.
The collection of artefacts had been stored in his son’s garage for many years. They include documents relating to the 1932 Eucharistic Congress and correspondence with Lady Gregory over the national gallery’s art collection.
“Fifty seven years after his death, it is wonderful that so many people remember Alfie with affection. This donation will ensure that his achievements are remembered for many years to come.” his son Patrick Byrne said. He and other members of the family were at the museum for today’s event.
City manager John Tierney presided over the official hand over of the collection at the museum on St Stephen’s Green today.
Highlights of the archive will be put on public display at the museum later this year.
The Little Museum of Dublin has spent over a year cataloguing and archiving the collection. It plans to make the entire archive available online.
