h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

When you come to Dublin, visit one of our few Queen Anne buildings, Marsh's Library. Founded and built at his own expense by Archbishop Narcissus Marsh in the early eighteenth century, it was the first public library in these islands, and still functions as a public library, with a new bindery downstairs constantly restoring the books that still occupy the places assigned to them by Marsh and his librarian Bouhéreau.

Last night we attended a reception to mark the retirement of the Keeper, Muriel McCarthy. She began working there in 1967, and I must have been one of the first crop of visitors she had to deal with. I was nineteen that year, and had been to my first Viola da Gamba Society summer school. There I had been welcomed into the viol-playing community by Nathalie Dolmetsch and others including Layton Ring and Gordon Dodd.

Commander Gordon Dodd, a naval officer, was working on the thematic index to the entire body of viol music, since completed, and after his death published online here http://www.vdgs.org.uk/files/thematicIndex/01-Prefatory.pdf

He asked me to check some incipits--the first theme in each piece--in the viol partbooks in Marsh's Library, so, armed with the shelf numbers of Narcissus Marsh's own collection of music manuscripts, I rang the bell and Muriel answered the door. I stated my business, and she took a speedy but no doubt comprehensive look at the spotty nineteen-year-old before her, led me to the cupboard where the books were kept, sat me down at her table and let me get on with it.

In the intervening years I have edited and played various bits of music from the collection, most specially a few years ago for a reception in the library to celebrate its tercentenary. I wrote a chapter on Narcissus Marsh for the book 'Music, Ireland, and the seventeenth century' http://www.fourcourtspress.ie/contents.php?intProductID=819

Muriel has done wonderful work promoting and preserving the library. Last night the provost of Trinity College and the Archbishop of Dublin loaded her with heartfelt praise, and she replied with deep gratitude for the support she has had from the Governors and Guardians of Marsh's Library. She still has all her wit and sparkle.