An Cumann Le Béaloideas Éireann/Folklore of Ireland Society

An Cumann le Béaloideas Éireann/The Folklore of Ireland Society was formally established in January 1927. The object of the Society as stated in the editorial of the first issue of its journal Béaloideas, which appeared in June 1928 was to collect, preserve and publish the folklore of Ireland. The more widespread interest in folklore brought about by the formation of the Society and the publication of Béaloideas played an important role in the establishment by the Irish Government in 1935 of the Irish Folklore Commission which became the Department of Irish Folklore at University College Dublin in 1971, and later, the National Folklore Collection, UCD. In addition to its journal, the Society has also produced other significant publications over the years, most notably the basic work, A Handbook of Irish Folklore by Seán Ó Súilleabháin. An Cumann le Béaloideas Éireann also hosts a number of lectures each year.