National Library of Ireland extends Reading Rooms' opening hours

The National Library of Ireland has extended the regular opening hours of its Reading Rooms.

While this will undoubtedly be good news for those family historians, and others, with a backlog of research, it doesn't see a full return to 'pre-Covid normal'. Most particularly, there is no late-night opening on Thursdays, and, in line with government advice, the maximum number of visitors allowed into the Reading Rooms at any one time will increase, but remain somewhat reduced. Spaces, as always, will be subject to availability.

From today, the new Reading Room hours will be 9:30 to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Researchers will still need to book their place at least one day in advance via the online ordering system. Appointment slots are offered with four weeks's availability on a rolling basis, and new dates are added every day.

The availability of some offsite material from the Published Collections is also being restored from today; these items are clearly indicated in the catalogue and items must be ordered five working days in advance.

Notwithstanding the above, please note that the Main Reading Room will close early (at 4pm) this Thursday, 23 September.