Access to the special collections is by appointment only. Please contact library@westmeathcoco.ieto discuss any proposed visit.
This collection purchased in 1966 contains approximately 250 different editions of the Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith. All the different editions are illustrated and represent the work of the main Irish, British and continental illustrators of the day. The collection contains a number of fine bindings.
This collection was given on permanent loan to the library in 1974-75 by Mr. Rex Beaumont of Belvedere. The material ranges from personal accounts of the diaries and tours at the beginning of the 19th Century to details of local politics and electioneering in the mid 19th Century. It also includes prisoner of war diaries and accounts of the geographical and mountaineering expeditions of Col. Howard Bury and papers relating to the Belvedere Estate. The collection is named after Col. Howard Bury, the former owner of Belvedere House.
This collection was assembled by Dr. John B. Burgess (1885-1960) of Athlone. It contains Athlone directories, wills and deeds, registers of Kiltoom Parish Church, St. Mary's Parish Church and several other churches in the Athlone area, Athlone Newspapers, dictionary of Athlone biography and vestry minutes of the Franciscan Abbey, Athlone.( Location: Aidan Heavey Library, Athlone)
The library has an extensive collection of books, reviews, typescripts etc. by the late John Broderick, the Athlone born novelist and critic. A collection of gramophone records and portrait paintings of the novelist are also included in the collection.(Location : Aidan Heavey Library, Athlone)
Fr. Paul Walsh Papers contain notes and unpublished material relating to this distinguished historian and scholar born at Ballinea, Mullingar.
A small selection of papers relating to this North Westmeath M.P. who was born in Delvin, Co. Westmeath.