Papers of the novelist, newspaper editor and publisher Edmund Downey of Waterford. Included are his literary papers, notably manuscript drafts of his novels, plays and short stories, notes and drafts relating to his biographical studies of Irish novelists Charles Lever and Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu and his notes relating to the history of Waterford city, produced for his book 'The Story of Waterford'. Also included are financial and legal papers of the Downey family, memoranda of agreements issued to him by various London publishing houses, and Downey's correspondence, which relates to literary, political and social matters and been arranged alphabetically by correspondent. Among those writing to Downey were the Brinsley Le Fanu, J. S. Crone, Alfred Percival Graves, Joseph Holloway, Aodh de Blácam, Percy Fitzgerald, W. H. Grattan Flood, Seamus Ó Casaide, Tim Harrington and Stephen J. Brown. The collection also contains some printed books and journals originally belonging to Downey or members of his family.