James Hardiman
James Hardiman (1782–1855), also known as Séamus Ó hArgadáin, was a librarian at Queen's College, Galway. Hardiman is best remembered for his "History of the Town and County of Galway" (1820) and "Irish Minstrelsy" (1831), one of the first published collections of Irish poetry and songs. The National University of Ireland, Galway (formerly Queen's College Galway) library now bears his name. Hardiman Road in Drumcondra, Dublin is named after him. Biography. Hardiman was born in Westport, County Mayo, in the west of Ireland around 1782. His father owned a small estate in County Mayo. He was  trained as a lawyer and became sub-commissioner of public records in Dublin Castle. He was an active member of the Royal Irish Academy, and collected and rescued many examples of Irish traditional music. In 1855, shortly after its foundation, Hardiman became librarian of Queen's College, Galway. Eponyms. The National University of Ireland, Galway (formerly Queen's College Galway) library was named in his honour. Hardiman Road in Drumcondra, Dublin is named after him. The Hardiman hotel in Galway is named after him.