Sections
 

Introduction

Open Access developments  in Ireland take place mostly through institutional repository building and the adoption of OA mandates. . As of March 2021, there are 30 OA digital repositories registered in OpenDOAR. Currently, DOAJ indexes 17 OA journals published in Ireland.

Ireland’s national Open Access policy was announced on 23 October 2012. The policy consists of a ‘Green’ mandate and encouragement to publish in ’Gold’ OA journals. It aligns with the European policy for Horizon 2020 and can be used as a model for other national policies in development.

The launch of Ireland’s national Open Access policy has put Ireland ahead of many European partners. Irish research organisations are particularly successful in the following areas of research: Information and Communication Technologies, Health and Food, Agriculture, and Biotechnology.

13 OA mandates are registered in ROARMAP.

Enabling Environment

There is a strong awareness of OA in Ireland, led by the OA mandates. This has been further enhanced by government project funding to develop institutional repositories in all universities and build a national portal to include research of all Irish research institutions.

Ireland already has considerable expertise in developing Open Access to publicly funded research, aligned with international policies and initiatives, and is now seeking to strengthen its approach to support international developments on Open Access led by the European Commission, Science Europe and other international agencies. The greatest challenge is the increasing pressure faced by publishers in a fast-changing environment.

National and Institutional Level Policies/Mandates

The National Framework on the Transition to an Open Research Environment was published by Ireland's National Open Research Forum in 2019.  This process is the first step toward creating a National Action Plan for Ireland's transition to a more open research environment. This system outlines a range of priorities, including allowing open access to research publications, enabling FAIR research results, developing infrastructures for research access and preservation, developing skills and competencies, and providing incentives and rewards. Following the release of the framework, a public consultation process will take place, which will finally inform a possible National Action Plan.

SHERPA/JULIET database indicates that as of March 2021, there are national OA mandates at 6 of the country’s research funders:

Other funders' OA policies:

Key Organizations

IRel Open Project: set up to develop university repositories and build a national portal to include research of all Irish research institutions. This has now been established as RIAN.

National Open Research Forum (NORF): NORF Aims

  • To inform the research community, and the public about open access;
  • To ensure all researchers in the country are able to make their work openly accessible, through at least one open access repository;
  • To support the evolution of a state-of-the-art and all-inclusive national open access infrastructure.

Open Knowledge Ireland: The Open Knowledge (OK) is a non-profit organisation founded in 2004 and dedicated to promoting open data and open content in all their forms – including government data, publicly funded research and public domain cultural content.

Repository Network Ireland is a group of Repository managers, librarians and information professionals in Ireland.

Irish Universities Association (IUA)

Overview: Representative body for Ireland’s (7) universities with a Libraries Working Group that has been responsible for managing the IRel project.

Communication address: Irish Universities Association, 48 Merrion Square

Dublin 2, Ireland; e-mail: info(at)iua.ie

Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) has an OA mandate and a repository on life sciences, information and communication and sustainable energy technologies.

Marine Institute Open Access Repository aims to collect, preserve and provide open access to the research output of the Marine Institute. The Repository contains digital archive collections and published and unpublished works of researchers in the Marine Institute.

Irish Health Repository (LENUS) consists of 7 collections in areas of health research, hospital research, primary and community care and health professions. It has a self-archiving open access facility

Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering & Technology (IRCSET) has an OA mandate for all funded research in the fields of science, engineering and technology and used RIAN, a consortium repository constructed as a result of the IRel project.

Events and Programs

  • DIAS Lunchtime open access briefing, 2019-10-23, Ireland, Organized by Luke Drury, Type: lunchtime, briefing
  • Redesign and relaunch of the IPH’s Public Health Well website, 2019-10-21, Ireland, Organized by Louise Bradley, Type: website, relaunch
  • Supports for Research Data Management, 2018-10-26, Ireland, Organized by James Hardiman Library, Type: workshop/training
  • 18 April 2018, Ireland’s Health Research Board’s Open Publishing Platform
  • Open access publishing, the ARAN repository and using Unpaywall to read research papers for free, 2017-10-26, Ireland, Organized by Library, Type: seminar
  • "Dismal data scientists? The data revolution in economics", 2017-10-25, Ireland, Organized by Library, Type: seminar
  • test, 2017-09-14, Ireland, Organized by Angelica Risquez, Type: test
  • Open in Action Teachmeet, 2016-10-28, Ireland, Organized by Repository Network Ireland and Digital Repository of Ireland, Type: teachmeet
  • Open Access, Open Action Seminar, 2016-10-26, Ireland, Organized by HRB and HSE Dr. Steevens' Library, Type: open, access, seminar
  • Twitter Chat, 2016-10-25, Ireland, Organized by Aoife Lawton, Type: twitter, chat
  • The Challenges of Research Data: an Open Forum, 2016-10-25, Ireland, Organized by John Cox, Type: open, forum
  • 06 November 2015, RIAN OpenAIRE Day and Workshop
  • 28 September 2015, Open Access and Research Data management: Horizon 2020 and Beyond in Ireland.
  • Open Access: Opportunities to Work Together. A half day seminar, 2015-10-23, Ireland, Organized by Dr. Steevens Library & DIT Library Services, Type: half, day, seminar
  • Drop Everything And Read, 2015-10-22, Ireland, Organized by Bennery Rickard, Type: dear, campaign, to, drop, everything, and, read, open, access, evidence
  • The Green and the Gold: perspectives on open access publishing, 2015-10-21, Ireland, Organized by John Cox, Type: seminar
  • Open Acess - Let's Talk about Data, Developments and Collaboration, 2015-10-21, Ireland, Organized by Repository Network Ireland, Type: seminar
  • The Great Divide – the global research agenda. Dundalk Institute of Technology Library, 2015-10-20, Ireland, Organized by DkIT Library, Type: panel
  • Library at University College Dublin, 2015-10-19, Ireland, Organized by UCD Library, Type: mixed
  • Repository Network Ireland Teachmeet, 2013-10-25, Ireland, Organized by Máire Caffrey, Type: teachmeet
  • April 2015: University College Cork, Repository Network of Ireland, Teagasc: “Open access and Research Data Management: Horizon 2020 and beyond.” This was a FOSTER-supported training programme organized in partnership with EIFL with the aim of setting in place sustainable mechanisms for EU researchers to Foster Open Science. This was one of the 24 training programmes organized in 2015 for the the research communities of 17 other EU countries.
  • International Open Access Week events to raise OA awareness takes place annually through seminars and conferences:
    • 24 October, 2014: Repository Network Ireland Teachmeet held at Trinity College, Dublin. Repository Network Ireland is a newly formed group of Repository managers, librarians and information professionals in Ireland.  It organized the second annual teachmeet during International Open Access Week.
    • 23 October, 2014: "Introduction to Open Access for Psychology Students" organized by PSI Early Graduate Group.
    • 20 October, 2014: Seminar "Open Access can help Deliver a Healthy Ireland". Healthy Ireland is a new national framework for action to improve health and wellbeing in the Republic of Ireland over the coming generation. Based on the evidence, it outlines a new commitment to public health with a considerable emphasis on prevention. While also advocating for stronger health and social systems. Health professionals interested in accessing and using research and information attended the seminar; particularly in public health and health and social care. This was an opportunity to discuss and learn more about Open Access and Healthy Ireland ProgrammeThe seminar was organized with the aim to:
      • Raise awareness about Open Access (OA) initiatives and Healthy Ireland;
      • Explore how Open Access Initiatives can support the delivery of Healthy Ireland
      • Showcase key Open Access initiatives

Publications

  • Azcona, D., I. H. Hsiao, and A. F. Smeaton. 2018. “Modelling Math Learning on an Open Access Intelligent Tutor.” Lecture Notes in Computer Science (Including Subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics) 10948 LNAI:36–40. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-93846-2_7.
  • Barkhoff, J (2008) Research evaluation, Metrics and Open Access in the Humanities. Presentation at Trinity College Dublin, September 2008.
  • Brennan, N (2009) Open Access policies in Ireland. Presentation at New Bulgarian University. April 23rd & 24th 2009.
  • Costello, E. 2019. “Bronze, Free, or Fourrée: An Open Access Commentary.” Science Editing 6(1):69–72. doi: 10.6087/KCSE.157.
  • Costello, E., T. Farrelly, and T. Murphy. 2020a. “Open and Shut: Open Access in Hybrid Educational Technology Journals 2010 - 2017.” International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning 21(1):99–111. doi: 10.19173/irrodl.v20i5.4545.
  • Costello, E., T. Farrelly, and T. Murphy. 2020b. “Open and Shut: Open Access in Hybrid Educational Technology Journals 2010-2017.” International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning 21(1):113–34. doi: 10.19173/IRRODL.V20I5.4383.
  • Cramton, P., and L. Doyle. 2017. “Open Access Wireless Markets.” Telecommunications Policy 41(5–6):379–90. doi: 10.1016/j.telpol.2017.01.003.
  • Dalton, M. 2012. “Traditional Factors of Fit, Perceived Quality, and Speed of Publication Still Outweigh Open Access in Authors’ Journal Selection Criteria.” Evidence Based Library and Information Practice 7(4):102–4. doi: 10.18438/b8hc87.
  • December 2014: "Ireland: The Transition to Open Access" published by PASTEUR4OA Project, Open Knowledge. Open Knowledge have delivered a case study looking at Ireland’s transition to Open Access. It includes a brief description of Ireland’s higher education and research infrastructure, and an overview of the scholarly communication systems including publisher output. This is followed by a short history of the development of Open Access policies in the country, including all aspects of implementation and supported infrastructures. The case study concludes with a look at challenges and on-going issues such as measuring the socio-economic impact of Open Access across Irish society and the economy, and capacity building.
  • Doherty, M. L. 2011. “Irish Veterinary Journal Goes Open Access.” Irish Veterinary Journal 64(1). doi: 10.1186/2046-0481-64-1.
  • Donnellan, J., and W. Cassar-Torreggiani. 2014. “Open Access Publication of Radiology Papers.” Clinical Radiology 69(12):1214–18. doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2014.08.005.
  • Greene, J (2010) Project Management and Institutional Repositories: A Case Study at University College Dublin Library. New Review of Academic Librarianship, 2010 Supplement, Vol. 16, p98-115, 18p
  • Greene, J. (2010). Project Management and Institutional Repositories: A Case Study at University College Dublin Library. New Review of Academic Librarianship, 1698-115. doi:10.1080/13614533.2010.509994
  • Greene, J. W. 2016. “Web Robot Detection in Scholarly Open Access Institutional Repositories.” Library Hi Tech 34(3):500–520. doi: 10.1108/LHT-04-2016-0048.
  • Hackett, T. (2008). Libraries in the digital age: minimum copyright provisions. IFLA Conference Proceedings, 1-4.
  • Houghton, F., and S. Houghton. 2018. “Predatory Publishing: How to Safely Navigate the Waters of Open Access.” The Canadian Journal of Nursing Research = Revue Canadienne de Recherche En Sciences Infirmieres 50(4):167–68. doi: 10.1177/0844562118777328.
  • Hughes, P., P. Beddy, and N. Sheehy. 2015. “Open-Access Ultrasound Referrals from General Practice.” Irish Medical Journal 108(3).
  • Humphreys, H. 2020. “Some Potential Unintended Consequences from Open Access Publication.” The Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh 50(3):343–50. doi: 10.4997/JRCPE.2020.336.
  • Hyland, J., A. Kouker, and D. Zaitsev. 2021. “Open Access EXchange (OAeX): An Economic Model and Platform for Fundraising Open Scholarship Services.” Insights: The UKSG Journal 33. doi: 10.1629/UKSG.500.
  • Irish Universities Association (2007) IUA Libraries National Research Portalto raise the profile of Irish research findings. Press Release.
  • Kitchin, R., S. Collins, and D. Frost. 2015. “Funding Models for Open Access Digital Data Repositories.” Online Information Review 39(5):664–81. doi: 10.1108/OIR-01-2015-0031.
  • Lalor, K (2009) In praise of repositories and open access Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies Vol.9 (1): 4-5.
  • Lawton, A (2009) Lenus: from healing god to health repository An Leabharlann, 27: 26-30.
  • Lawton, A. 2016. “Communicating the Open Access Message: A Case Study from Ireland.” New Review of Academic Librarianship 22(1):60–77. doi: 10.1080/13614533.2015.1127832.
  • Lawton, Aoife & Flynn, Eimear. "The Value of Open Access Publishing to Health and Social Care Professionals in Ireland". February 2015, Ariadne Issue 73
  • Li, B., Y. He, C. Jiang, P. Stamenov, and J. M. D. Coey. 2020. “Torque in Open-Access Permanent Magnet Variable Flux Sources.” Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials 500. doi: 10.1016/j.jmmm.2020.166430.
  • Mahadevan, V. S., M. Earley, and B. McClements. 2005. “Open Access Echocardiography Has Diagnostic Yield Similar to Outpatient Echocardiography and Is Highly Rated by General Practitioners and Patients.” International Journal of Cardiology 99(3):389–93. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2004.01.042.
  • Martin, S. J. 2020. “The FEBS Journal in 2020: Open Access and Quality versus Quantity Publishing.” FEBS Journal 287(1):4–10. doi: 10.1111/febs.15191.
  • Murphy, K. P., and A. B. Johnson. 2020. “Sailing the Sea of Open Access: Celestial Navigation or Dead Reckoning?” Elements 16(5):298–300. doi: 10.2138/GSELEMENTS.16.5.298.
  • O’Neill, L., M. Quirke, S. Hogan, A. M. Eustace-Ryan, and P. O’Regan. 1998. “Uncensored Open Access Gastroscopy - Limited Resources Unlimited Demand.” Irish Journal of Medical Science 167(2):89–91. doi: 10.1007/BF02937944.
  • Panov, V. E., S. Gollasch, and F. Lucy. 2011. “Open-Access Journal Aquatic Invasions: An Important Part of the Developing European Information and Early Warning System on Invasive Alien Species.” Aquatic Invasions 6(1):1–5. doi: 10.3391/ai.2011.6.1.01.
  • Peñaloza, C., D. Robledo, A. Barría, T. Q. Trinh, M. Mahmuddin, P. Wiener, J. A. H. Benzie, and R. D. Houston. 2020. “Development and Validation of an Open Access SNP Array for Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus).” G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics 10(8):2777–85. doi: 10.1534/g3.120.401343.
  • Ritchie, D., and J. Ord. 2017. “The Experience of Open Access Youth Work: The Voice of Young People.” Journal of Youth Studies 20(3):269–82. doi: 10.1080/13676261.2016.1212162.
  • Rosen, B., and A. Israeli. 2012. “Launching the Israel Journal of Health Policy Research: Why a New Journal? Why Now? Why Open Access?” Israel Journal of Health Policy Research 1(1). doi: 10.1186/2045-4015-1-1.
  • Von Der Lieth, C. W., A. A. Freire, D. Blank, M. P. Campbell, A. Ceroni, D. R. Damerell, A. Dell, R. A. Dwek, B. Ernst, R. Fogh, M. Frank, H. Geyer, R. Geyer, M. J. Harrison, K. Henrick, S. Herget, W. E. Hull, J. Ionides, H. J. Joshi, J. P. Kamerling, B. R. Leeflang, T. Lütteke, M. Lundborg, K. Maass, A. Merry, R. Ranzinger, J. Rosen, L. Royle, P. M. Rudd, S. Schloissnig, R. Stenutz, W. F. Vranken, G. Widmalm, and S. M. Haslam. 2011. “EUROCarbDB: An Open-Access Platform for Glycoinformatics.” Glycobiology 21(4):493–502. doi: 10.1093/glycob/cwq188.
  • Wicht, S., U. Krieger, D. Guenther, N. Heise, M. Krojer, G. Kittler, F. Naumann, F. Altmann, D. Gomez, and A. Fecioru. 2019. “MICROPRINCE- Open Access Pilot Line for Micro-Transfer-Printing of Functional Components on Wafer Level.” Pp. 46–47 in Smart Systems Integration 2019 - International Conference and Exhibition on Integration Issues of Miniaturized Systems, SSI 2019.
  • Zervas, P., V. Kardaras, S. Baldiris, J. Bacca, C. Avila, Y. Politis, Deveril, J. Treviranus, R. Fabregat, L. Goodman, and D. G. Sampson. 2014. Supporting Open Access to Teaching and Learning of People with Disabilities.

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