The Mall Trustees recently presented the Library with their Minute books and other documents.\u00a0 The material goes back to 1859 when Trustees were first appointed by Archbishop John George Beresford.\u00a0 The Library readily accepted these additions to its collection, as they sit well within its collecting policy. \u00a0It is also most fitting that the Library will now hold the Trustees\u2019 documents, as the creation of the Mall from the former \u2018Commons\u2019 was made possible by Archbishop Richard Robinson, the Library\u2019s founder. Indeed, in the Library\u2019s Act of Parliament of 1773, mention is made of \u2018enabling the Archbishop of Armagh to appropriate parts of a piece of waste ground contiguous to said City for certain uses for the benefit of the inhabitants thereof\u2019.<\/p>\n
Robinson\u2019s successor, Archbishop William Newcome, leased the area to the sovereign and burgesses of the City to make the area a public park and walkway for local people. Guardianship of the Mall is held by the Mall Trustees, supported by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.\u00a0 Members of the Trustees are keen to ensure that the Mall continues to be a shared public place for all and preserved for future generations to enjoy.<\/p>\n
On handing over the documents, Malcolm Dawson, Chairperson of the Mall Trustees said, \u201cI am delighted that the current Trustees\u00a0arranged to have these papers lodged in the Robinson Library.\u00a0 They record an important piece of the social history of Armagh and will be\u00a0easily accessible in the Library.\u201d<\/p>\n
Image credit: Ian Maginess<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"