A new exhibition at the University of Limerick is shining a spotlight on one of the city’s most influential families and their lasting impact on local and national history. Limerick Legacies: The Earls of Limerick explores the story of the Pery family, whose legacy spans politics, architecture, and civic life over nearly five centuries.
Hosted in the Glucksman Library, the exhibition draws from the Limerick Papers- an extensive archive documenting the family’s activities from the 1500s to the present day. The collection, which includes personal letters, estate accounts, architectural designs, legal documents, photographs, and sketches, provides a window into the social and cultural make-up of Limerick across generations.
Originally held by the Limerick Civic Trust, the archive was transferred to the care of Glucksman Library in 2018.
Since then, it has been catalogued and digitised through a collaborative effort between the Trust and the Library’s Special Collection and Archives team. The entire collection is now freely available online through the university’s Digital Library and Archival Catalogue– making it accessible to researchers and the public for the first time.
Marking the completion of this major digitisation project, the exhibition was officially launched on 28 October by UL Acting President Professor Shane Kilcommins. Guests at the event included Edmund Pery, 7th Earl of Limerick, and David O’Brien, CEO of the Limerick Civil Trust.
The exhibition is structured around four central themes tracing the evolution of the Pery family. Highlighting their rise to prominence and the establishment of the earldom to their enduring influence on Limerick architectural and cultural scene.
Among the many highlights are two incredible personal items: a 17th century commonplace book belonging to Colonel Edmund Pery, and an early 20th century scrapbook compiled by Countess of Limerick, May Pery, giving us a look into the domestic and social world of the Irish aristocracy.
Speaking at the launch, University Librarian and Director Ciara McCaffrey, described the Limerick Papers as “an invaluable resource for understanding the civic and cultural development of Limerick, and for placing the story within a broader historical context.”
She praised the collaboration that made the collection’s preservation and public access possible, adding that the open scholarship and community engagement remain central to the library’s mission.
Curator of the exhibition, Kirsten Mulrennan explains to the Limerick Voice, “The Limerick Papers are a significant acquisition for the Glucksman Library.
“This collection enriches and complements UL’s current holdings of estate papers, which are a vital resource for researchers exploring Ireland’s social, political, and economic history. The exhibition represents an exciting milestone for the collection as it is now fully available online for the first time through the UL Digital Library.
We hope the people of Limerick enjoy browsing through these wonderful archival items, to learn more about the history of the Pery family and how they shaped the city we know today.”
The exhibition will remain on display throughout the 2025/26 academic year at the Glucksman Library.