HEINEKEN Ireland Donates Historic Brewing Books to UCC Library for Heritage Day

HEINEKEN Ireland has strengthened Cork's brewing heritage archives with the donation of four rare historic volumes to University College Cork Library, including financial records and brewing books dating back to 1899 that offer unprecedented insights into the Murphy's Brewery's early operations.

The donation, marking Heritage Day celebrations, includes a 1960s cash book and three brewing books from 1899 to 1906. These volumes provide researchers with detailed glimpses into the brewery's financial transactions and brewing methods during a pivotal period in Cork's industrial development.

The new additions will join the extensive Murphy's Brewery Collection at UCC Library's Special Collections and Archives, which already houses 91 archival boxes and 147 bound volumes documenting over 130 years of Cork's brewing history. The collection, originally transferred to UCC in 1999 and opened to the public in 2010, charts the brewery's journey from its founding in 1856 by James J. Murphy and his brothers through to 1992.

Orla Joyce, Legal Director, HEINEKEN Ireland, said:

"Our history is deeply rooted in Cork, and the Murphy's Brewery Collection is a powerful record of the city's brewing legacy. We're proud to contribute these volumes to UCC Library's archives, ensuring future generations can explore and appreciate Cork's rich brewing story."

The archive serves as more than just a record of brewing techniques; it captures the evolution of Cork's merchant culture, workplace conditions, and economic development. The collection has become an invaluable genealogical resource, containing detailed records of trades, employees, and wages that help families trace their ancestors' connections to one of Cork's most significant employers.

Elaine Harrington, Interim Head of Special Collections and Archives, UCC Library, welcomed the donation:

"The addition of these four bound volumes to the Murphy's Brewery Collection will enrich this already remarkable resource. These newly donated volumes offer fresh perspectives on Cork's industrial past, connecting the city's brewing heritage to both local history and wider Irish economic life."

She added:

"We thank HEINEKEN Ireland for their ongoing recognition of the importance of preserving Cork's history through their generous donation of these bound volumes to UCC Library."

The timing of this donation is particularly fitting, as Cork continues to celebrate its industrial heritage while embracing modern innovation. The Murphy's Brewery, now part of HEINEKEN Ireland's historic Lady's Well Brewery site, remains a working testament to Cork's brewing tradition, employing 340 people locally and producing beloved brands including Murphy's, Beamish, Heineken, and Orchard Thieves.

UCC Library staff will clean and catalogue the newly donated volumes before incorporating them into the publicly accessible collection. Researchers, historians, and anyone curious about Cork's brewing past can access the Murphy's Brewery Collection by appointment through UCC Library's Special Collections and Archives, with a full listing available on the UCC Library website.

For Cork families whose ancestors worked at Murphy's Brewery, these new additions could unlock previously unknown details about their relatives' working lives at the turn of the 20th century, when the brewery stood as one of the city's industrial pillars alongside the butter market and other merchant enterprises.

The preservation of these documents ensures that future generations of Corkonians and researchers worldwide can continue to explore how a family brewery founded by three brothers became an integral part of Cork's identity and economic fabric for more than a century and a half.