Richard Dowden's Scrapbook

In 2006, the conservation and repair was completed of a unique record of Cork from the early to mid 1800’s. The item is a scrapbook from Richard Dowden's archive. Dowden was the Mayor of Cork in 1845. He was involved in many organisations of his day, and retained in the scrapbook a wide range of interesting and significant documents and ephemera such as posters, pamphlets, notices, letters, and memorabilia relating to numerous cultural, commercial, religious, philanthropic, educational and political organisations from roughly 1830 to 1860, including Father Mathew’s temperance movement, local theatres, and the Borough of Cork. 

The professional conservation and repair of the scrapbook was carried out by Paul Curtis of Muckross House, Killarney thus ensuring that the document has been preserved for future generations, and that it is now available for use in public research or exhibition.

The Heritage Council of Ireland were the principal sponsors of the Project, through their Museums and Archives annual grants programme.

The following images are a sample of the content of this unique scrapbook.

See also: online catalogue index of the contents of the scrapbook (use hierarchy browser)