Gottschalk Collection is a treasure trove of culture at University of Limerick’s Glucksman Library

Gottschalk Collection is a treasure trove of culture at University of Limerick’s Glucksman Library. Sarah Thornton,  German student at UL.; Ciara McCaffrey, Director of the Glucksman Library, UL; Traute Gottschalk; Dr Sandra Joyce, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences at UL; (back row) Professor Gisela Holfter, Director of the Centre for Irish-German Studies at UL;; Martin Gottschalk; Christof Gottschalk; and Matthias Fleckenstein, German-Irish Society in Würzburg

Donated to UL’s Centre for Irish-German Studies in 2019 by the late Jürgen Gottschalk, the collection of rare materials is a treasure trove of literature, art, culture, and music

The Gottschalk Collection, a treasure trove of rare materials on Irish literature, art, culture and music, was officially launched at University of Limerick.
The collection – housed within the Special Collections and Archives Department at UL’s Glucksman Library – was donated to UL’s Centre for Irish-German Studies in 2019 by the late Jürgen Gottschalk, a Celtic scholar and champion of the unique relationship between Ireland and Germany.

The Gottschalk Collection boasts German translations of the best of Irish literature, German- and English-language travel books on Ireland, Irish myths and folktales, and books on important Irish figures. Among the most prominent items in the collection are early and rare editions of works by celebrated authors such as James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, and Jonathan Swift.

The launch of the Gottschalk Collection was attended by Jürgen’s widow, Traute, and their two sons, Martin and Christof, and was a highlight of the Centre for Irish-German Studies and Annual German Studies Association of Ireland conference, hosted by UL.

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The launch of the Gottschalk Collection was attended by Jürgen’s widow, Traute, and their two sons, Martin and Christof, and was a highlight of the 21st international Centre for Irish-German Studies and Annual German Studies Association of Ireland conference.

The three-day conference, titled German Studies in Ireland Today and Tomorrow – Perspectives, Challenges and Opportunities, is hosted by UL and features a panel of prominent academics from across Ireland and Europe.

Dr Sandra Joyce, Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences at UL, noted the university feels “so privileged” to welcome the late scholar’s family to launch the Gottschalk Collection.

Dr Joyce said, “We especially remember Jürgen Gottschalk and his generosity in making this important donation, which will enhance teaching, learning and research at UL in innumerable ways. Thanks to Matthias Fleckenstein, Chair of the Würzburg German-Irish Society for joining us for this special occasion. A special thanks to my colleagues in the Glucksman Library and the Centre for Irish-German Studies, particularly Professor Gisela Holfter, for their sustained and impactful contributions to this University.”

Professor Gisela Holfter, Director of the Centre for Irish-German Studies at UL, said the Centre for Irish-German Studies at the university is “deeply honoured and delighted” that Jürgen Gottschalk chose the centre for “for his unique and wonderful collection”.

Professor Holfter said, “We are deeply honoured and delighted that Jürgen Gottschalk chose the Centre for Irish-German Studies for his unique and wonderful collection, the result of a lifelong passion for collecting books on Ireland. He was a great friend of the Centre, and we will honour his legacy, which will allow wonderful research projects for many years to come and cement the Irish-German book collection in UL as the go-to place for national and international researchers.