Alf MacLochlainn joined the National Library of Ireland in 1949, first serving as Assistant Librarian, then Keeper in charge of the Manuscripts Department, Deputy Director, and finally as Director (1976-1982). As a result of a U.S. government award for a study trip to visit American libraries in 1960, he became a member of the American Committee of Irish Studies. MacLochlainn is a prolific author and editor, and in addition to his scholarly work, is the author of a novella and a short story collection, the latter of which, Past Habitual, was published in 2015.
Selected publications:
Past Habitual: Stories. Champaign, IL: Dalkey Archive Press, 2015.
The Corpus in the Library: Stories and Novellas. Champaign, IL: Dalkey Archive Press, 1996.
With Tony Regan. Two Galway schools. Galway: Galway Labour History Group, 1993.
Out of Focus. Champaign, IL: Dalkey Archive Press, 1985.
The National Library of Ireland 1877-1977. Dublin: Wolfhound Press, 1977.
“Pointed horror: the films of Luis Bunel and George Franju.” Film Journal, Summer 1971.