Airfield archive available for research in castletown house

The OPW-Maynooth University Archive and Research Centre has launched the completed catalogue of the Airfield Archive. The papers, which have been loaned by the Trustees of Airfield, Dundrum, have been fully catalogued over the past three years, and are now available for research at the Centre in Castletown House, Celbridge, County Kildare.

The Airfield Archive (1805 -2001) consists of the private papers of the extended Overend family and of Airfield farm in Dundrum. The collection contains over 25,000 unique items, including 7,500 photographs. It also includes large collections of letters, diaries, notebooks, financial accounts, scrapbooks, postcards and maps, collected and retained by the Overend family.

In addition to the family papers, the collection also includes documents relating to the hobbies, interests and philanthropic works of the two Overend sisters, which make up a valuable piece of social history. Most notable are the records of the Irish War Hospital Supply Depot, the Woman’s National Health Association, the Saint John Ambulance Brigade and the Children’s Sunshine Home.

Airfield is a charitable organisation established by the Overend Family in 1974 for educational and recreational purposes. The 38 acre working farm, gardens, café and heritage experience in Dundrum, offer visitors a wonderful opportunity to enjoy and learn about food, farming and the natural world in a natural and relaxed environment.

The OPW-Maynooth University Archive and Research Centre at Castletown, was established to facilitate the care and study of archives and other sources dealing with the history of Irish estates, their houses and inhabitants and was launched by President Mary McAleese in November 2008. It also facilitates research in the decorative arts. This facility marks an exciting collaboration between the Office of Public Works and Maynooth University.

The Archive and Research Centre is located on the second floor of Castletown House in Celbridge. Built between 1722 and 1729 for William Conolly, Speaker of the Irish House of Commons and the wealthiest commoner in Ireland, Castletown House is Ireland’s largest and earliest Palladian style house. After decades in the care of Desmond Guinness and the Castletown Foundation, it passed in 1994 to the ownership of the Irish State. The Office of Public Works has since refurbished Castletown, and in 2007 it reopened as a major cultural and community resource.

Access to the archive is strictly by appointment with the Archivist. Appointment can be made by contacting: 01 6544222 or nicola.kelly@nuim.ie