Introduction
The Irish Research e-Library is a consortium of Irish research libraries. Established in 2004, it provides participating member institutions with access to a wide range of licensed e-resources, open access publishing agreements with over twenty publishers, and open research infrastructure. IReL is hosted by Maynooth University.
IReL has endorsed the NORF Action Plan, in particular its goal that by 2030 Ireland will have implemented a sustainable and inclusive course for achieving 100% open access to research publications.
Expanding access
Since 2004, IReL has provided Irish universities with access to a world-class electronic library service. IReL was established by the university librarians, initially to expand their libraries access to science, technology & medicine resources, but later grew to include the humanities and social sciences.
IReL’s membership has also grown from the initial founding universities to include publicly funded technological universities, colleges, and research institutes.
Opening up research
From 2020, IReL signed the first of its open access publishing agreements and has now expanded this to support over twenty such agreements, making Ireland a global leader in the provision of these services. The agreements allow researchers in IReL member institutions to publish their work open access in over ten thousand journals.
IReL Members
- Atlantic Technological University
- Dublin City University
- Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies
- Dundalk Institute of Technology
- Institute of Art, Design + Technology
- Mary Immaculate College
- Maynooth University
- Munster Technological University
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
- South East Technological University
- Teagasc
- Technological University Dublin
- Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest
- Trinity College Dublin
- University College Cork
- University College Dublin
- University of Galway
- University of Limerick
How to access IReL resources
Staff and students of participating institutions can access IReL resources on or off-campus via their library’s website.
Testimonials
“The IReL service has been a key element in transforming the landscape for scientific research in Ireland. In terms of value for money it is hard to think of a better investment”
Professor Ray O’Neill, Maynooth University
“This is absolutely essential. Without it we will be severely affected and research will suffer tremendously. I can’t emphasise enough how important it is that this be continued even if it were to be at the expense of other things.”
Professor Luke O’Neill, Trinity College Dublin
“At RCSI we want to maximise the visibility of our research, it’s a key way of strengthening our reputation and impact, and Open Access has proved a valuable way of doing this. The IReL agreements have been of great benefit, allowing many of our researchers to publish and promote their findings to a wider audience, including partners and public around the world.”
Professor Fergal O’Brien, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
“Thanks to IReL’s negotiation and support for transformative agreements, Ireland now stands as a global leader in Open Access. We rank sixth amongst benchmarked countries, alongside renowned innovators in education such as Finland, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and the UK.”
Professor Eeva Leinonen, President of Maynooth University & Chair of IReL Governance Committee