The Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) announced that these donations will help expand global access to its extensive library. Established in 1987, ITMA is a public archive and resource centre dedicated to preserving and promoting Irish traditional music, song, and dance.


Located on Merrion Square in Dublin, the archive houses a multimedia collection dating back to the 18th century. It chronicles the evolution of music storage and sharing, from vinyl and cassettes to CDs and digital formats. The archive is committed to ensuring the preservation of this rich cultural heritage for future generations.


Maintaining and expanding ITMA’s vast collection is a resource-intensive process, requiring significant care, space, and funding. Each year, the archive receives numerous private collections of unique and invaluable materials. However, ITMA notes that its current funding limits delay the accessibility of these resources beyond Dublin without additional financial support.


In 2024, a U.S. foundation has pledged to match every donation up to $100,000 (€95,000), effectively doubling contributions. These funds will allow ITMA to continue offering free, universal access to its materials while preserving and expanding the global reach of Irish traditional music.


ITMA archivist Maeve Gebruers emphasized the high costs of preserving and digitizing paper and audio collections, describing it as “tedious but vital work.” She explained, “Our mission is to democratize access. Not everyone can visit our beautiful Merrion Square reading room, so we aim to make these collections available worldwide.”


Digitizing and maintaining these materials for long-term accessibility involves significant storage and digital asset management costs. “It’s a slow and meticulous process, but it’s crucial,” Gebruers added. “That’s why donations are so important.”


ITMA’s collection and curated exhibitions are also accessible online, providing free access to individual recordings and manuscripts. Visitors to the archive are welcome to explore the vast resources, whether for casual enjoyment or in-depth research. “We love seeing our library full, with people using the collections,” Gebruers said. “That’s what we’re here for.”


The archive also actively collects contemporary material, recording interviews with older musicians and documenting their experiences and influences. “Irish traditional music is a living tradition,” Gebruers noted, “and we’re committed to capturing its ongoing story.”


In addition to its collection, the Merrion Square location features a recording studio, and ITMA staff document performances at major events like the Willie Clancy Summer School.


For more information or to donate, visit itma.ie/donate.