Parliament for Ireland

The first public meeting of Dáil Éireann took place on 21 January 1919 but the need for some form of self-governance or parliament for Ireland was identified and discussed for centuries beforehand. The Special Collections at the Oireachtas Library reflect the varying ways in which the demand for self-governance was asserted over time. The items selected for this gallery include a 17th century pamphlet on the need for Ireland’s autonomy in law-making, an 18th century treatise on the same topic and a 19th century appeal to America to support Irish independence.

Explore the treasures—