Lost archive returns home
Image 1 of 1
Photograph of Daniel MacCarthy Glas’ daughter-in-law, Alice MacCarthy (née Linton) and two of her daughters. Alice recognised the historical significance of the archive and ensured that it was preserved. Taken from the archive of writer and historian Daniel MacCarthy Glas courtesy of Cork City and County Archive Service.The long-lost archive of Daniel MacCarthy Glas, a 19th century historian and writer, has been returned to Cork.
The collection gives people the chance to connect directly with the work of a man who bridged Cork’s medieval past with modern Irish scholarship.
The archive was donated by his descendants, Susan MacCarthy and Don MacCarthy, and their families, from Oregon, USA.
To mark the event, the archives have created a special public exhibition for National Heritage Week 2025.
Called ‘The Tanist of Carbery: Daniel MacCarthy Glas and His Long-Lost Archive', it opened at the Cork City and County Archives in Blackpool on Monday. The exhibition will tour libraries and other venues across Cork city and county.
Born in London in 1807, Daniel MacCarthy Glas grew up far from his ancestral homeland. His grandfather had emigrated from Cork in 1763, but the family never lost its sense of identity. Daniel carried that pride into his own life, devoting decades to researching and preserving Irish history.
The family were directly descended from the princes of Carbery, the MacCarthy Reaghs and the MacCarthy Glas line, who once held power at Togher Castle and other strongholds near Dunmanway.
Daniel MacCarthy Glas became a respected historian during Ireland’s 19th century cultural revival. His work involved painstaking study of state papers and manuscripts across Ireland, Britain, and France. Daniel MacCarthy Glas was a historian and also a philanthropist. He sponsored the education of many students and contributed funds to preserve historic buildings and monuments. His generosity and scholarship earned him lasting respect.
His best-known books are ‘The Life and Letters of Florence MacCarthy Reagh’ (1867) and ‘A Historical Pedigree of the Sliochd Feidhlimidh, the MacCarthys of Gleannacroim’ (1875). These publications remain important records of Irish history and Cork’s noble families. He also contributed articles to The Nation newspaper and other journals, placing him at the heart of Ireland’s cultural awakening.
Historian James Coleman once described him as “a more interesting personality or a better type of Irishman could hardly be found than this English-born scion of the ancient sept of MacCarthys whose name is seldom absent from the annals of our country”.
The project to bring the long-lost archive of Daniel MacCarthy Glas back to Cork was led by Dunmanway historian Michelle O’Mahony, with support from Dr Mervyn O’Driscoll of UCC, Nigel McCarthy of the McCarthy DNA Project, and the Cork City and County Archives Service.
This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.