During his time as director, Ó hAonghusa opened the “If I Were A Blackbird” exhibit at the NLI which honored works from singer Delia Murphy and diplomat Thomas J Kiernan. Together the couple spent 60 years as Irish representatives in Australia.[1] Ó hAonghusa also worked on a proposal and plan to build an extension for the library. In July 2007, the government approved the plan for the new building that would include above and below ground storage. He framed this project as a long term plan for storage needs of the NLI, an improved plan to archive special materials, and repurposing previous storage spaces for public use.[2]
Ó hAonghusa accepted two major donations in 2008. In April the NLI announced that that author Roddy Doyle donated his literary papers for the library to preserve and exhibit. Ó hAonghusa accepted the donation openly and described it “as invaluable source for researchers.” [3] In June the Irish Queer Archives transferred their archive to the NLI. The archive includes thousands of printed materials that covers the history of the queer community in Ireland. Many of the materials are personal in nature, such as letters and diaries. Ó hAonghusa described the event as “one of the most significant movements for social change in modern Ireland.”[4]
Later Career
editÓ hAonghusa stepped down as director of the NLI in January 2010 to return to civil service. In July of 2017 he attended a UNCAT Convention as part of the Irish delegation which provided an update on the welfare of the citizens of Ireland.[5] He later served as the assistant principal officer at the Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB). This board is an independent agency within the Government of Ireland set up following the Residential Institutions Redress Act, 2002.[6] On 16 November 2017 he attended a Committee of Public Accounts debate where he explained the transfer of funds and property to the RIRB when questioned.[7] On 15 November 2018 he attended the Joint Committee on Education and Skills debate in support of RIRB colleagues.[8] In August of 2019, he was quoted in the Irish Examiner in support of the Retention of Records Bill 2019 as necessary for his committee’s project at the RIRB.[9]
- ^ "Echoing across the oceans". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
- ^ "Literary treasures to get new home in €50m library extension". Independent.ie. 2007-05-17. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
- ^ "Roddy Doyle donates manuscripts to archive". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
- ^ Tue; Jun, 17; 2008 - 01:00 (2008-06-17). "Queer archive handed over to national library". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
{{cite web}}:|first2=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Discussion of Ireland's Second State Report under the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhumane, Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) with the UN Expert Committee". merrionstreet.ie. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
- ^ "Residential Institutions Redress Board". www.rirb.ie. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
- ^ Oireachtas, Houses of the (2017-11-16). "COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS debate - Thursday, 16 Nov 2017". www.oireachtas.ie. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
- ^ Oireachtas, Houses of the (2018-11-15). "Joint Committee on Education and Skills debate - Thursday, 15 Nov 2018". www.oireachtas.ie. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
- ^ Fátharta, Conall Ó (2019-08-16). "Abuse survivors concern over plan to seal records". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2023-11-15.