Europeana is an initiative endorsed by the European Commission. It is an internet platform that acts as a single access point to millions of books, paintings, films, museum objects and archival records that have been digitised throughout Europe. It provides the opportunity to share our cultural heritage with a wider audience and assists in building new partnerships and encourages the exchange of knowledge between interested parties. They develop expertise, tools and policies to embrace digital change and encourage partnerships that foster innovation. It provides opportunities for people to use cultural heritage for education, research, creation and recreation. The work of Europeana contributes to an open, knowledgeable and creative society.
Ireland is fully supportive of the work of Europeana and continues to be an active member through representation by our cultural organisations in the Europeana Network and also through their participation in a variety of Europeana's projects. Ongoing engagement of our national cultural institutions with this project is strongly encouraged.
Irish cultural highlights in Europeana include the 1901/1911 Census, the Treaty documents, audio records of "Nocturnes" by John Field, a picture of the painting "The Wounded Poacher" by Henry Jones Thaddeus, picture of the sculpture called "High Cross of Muiredach", and many more.
* The following Irish institutions have provided content for Europeana to date:
o National Library of Ireland
o National Archives of Ireland
o National Museum of Ireland
o National Gallery of Ireland
o The Chester Beatty Library
o The Crawford Art Gallery
o Irish Traditional Music Archive
o The Royal Irish Academy
o Trinity College Dublin
o University College Dublin
o Comhaltas Ceoltori Eireann
o James Hardiman Library, NUI Galway
o Irish Manuscripts Commission