Discover O’Donovan’s hidden library treasure
There is a fascinating piece of Irish history tucked away inside Queensland Parliament – a remarkable library collection assembled and catalogued by an Irishman from County Cork.
On Wednesday, 30 September, Queensland Irish Association Members will take a closer look at Denis O’Donovan and the O’Donovan Collection, with a special talk about the Irish scholar who served as Queensland Parliamentary Librarian for almost three decades.
In 2025, The O’Donovan Catalogue Origins Collection was officially included in the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Register, recognising its historical significance. The Queensland Irish Association strongly supported the nomination, championing the work of Denis O’Donovan, the former Parliamentary Librarian behind the collection.
Born in County Cork in 1836, O’Donovan came to Australia after an impressive academic career in Europe and was appointed Queensland Parliamentary Librarian in 1874. During his tenure he transformed the library, expanding its holdings from about 8,000 to 32,000 volumes and creating an extraordinary classified catalogue.
The O’Donovan Collection, which incorporates the original Parliamentary Library established in 1860, is a treasure trove of books, newspapers, parliamentary papers, maps and other historic material. Its subjects range widely from travel, geography, biography, science and history to literature, political science, theology, law, art and philosophy.
Among its highlights are journals from the voyages of Captain James Cook, accounts of early Australian expeditions by explorers including Darwin, Mitchell, Flinders, Oxley, Leichhardt, Jardine and La Perouse, and remarkable early publications including a 1599 Spanish-English dictionary. There are also major works on Australian natural history, a 70-volume set of the complete works of Voltaire and extensive British parliamentary material.
The QIA talk will explore both the man behind this extraordinary collection and the Irish connection to one of Queensland’s most important heritage libraries.
And afterwards, there’s no need to rush home.
The talk will be followed by a BYO lunch at Strangers Restaurant inside Queensland Parliament, giving attendees the chance to continue the conversation over lunch in one of Brisbane’s most historic settings.
It promises to be a particularly interesting outing for anyone with an interest in Irish Queensland, books, history, genealogy or the remarkable people whose contributions have helped shape the State.
The library talk and tour will take place on Wednesday, 30 September 2026 at 11am.
Places limited, Queensland Irish Association Members (plus one) only with strict RSVP stating membership number by 23 September to functions@queenslandirish.com.au.