Arabic & Islamic Manuscripts Project

The Library of Trinity College Dublin prides itself on holding a significant collection of unique Arabic and Islamic manuscripts that has hitherto not been systematically studied or properly catalogued.

The aim of this project is to improve accessibility to the collection for academics and the public. Through the enhancement of the catalogue and the conservation and digitisation of the manuscripts themselves, these collections will be opened up for future research. The project team's investigations are also shedding new light on the manuscripts' content and provenance and are providing insights into the socio-cultural and religious life of Arab society in a way that seeks to connect disparate historical moments, events and geographies.

Significantly, this Arabic collection which dates roughly from the 12th to the early 20th century, is not strictly Arab and evades strict classification. While many manuscripts originated in North Africa and the Levant, some of the Arabic-language holdings were produced in areas as far as Persia and West Africa. Diverse in content and scope, the manuscripts vary from religious to literary, scientific, and astronomical subjects to mention a few. The terms 'Islamic' and 'Arabic' are cultural vehicles that encompass more than just a single religion, a single language, and a single geographic area.