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Early NLI Years (2000–2004)
In 2000, Aongus Ó hAonghusa began his career at the National Library of Ireland (NLI) in an administration role. Notably, in 2002, the NLI acquired James Joyce 500 page manuscript of Ulysses for €12.6 Million. In September 2003, Ó hAonghusa was appointed as the interim director, succeeding Brendan O’Donoghue upon his retirement. In 2004, Ó hAonghusa played a pivotal role in curating the display of James Joyce's handwritten manuscripts of Ulysses. He attended the ReJoyce 2004 Launch party at the Guinness Storehouse.

Key Milestones and International Engagement (2004–2006)
In 2005, Ó hAonghusa officially became the director of the NLI. The year 2006 marked several milestones, including the facilitation of the donation of The Project archive, celebrating its 40th anniversary. Aongus referred to the messy collection of newspaper clippings, scripts, and letters as 'a magical mystery tour.' He oversaw the loan of personal materials of W. B. Yeats for the first major Yeats exhibit and spearheaded the acquisition of the Tom and Kathleen Clarke letters, relevant to the 1916 Rising. In September 2006, Aongus Ó hAonghusa welcomed Queen Sonja of Norway, the second royal visitor to the NLI, for the opening of the Portraits of Ibsen exhibit by Norwegian artist Haakon Gullvaag, underscoring the NLI's commitment to international cultural exchange.

November 14, 2006, marked a significant moment when the Cultural and National Identity Committee (CNCI) proposed the National Development Plan 'The Case for Culture' in a media briefing, showcasing Ó hAonghusa's role in advocating for cultural initiatives.

In November 2006, the Arts Committee sought funding for a new building, emphasizing the need for improved storage and preservation. By December 2006, the NLI proposed plans for a new building to accommodate its expanding collection. Additionally, in the same month, the Samuel Beckett collection was acquired, enriching the NLI's cultural holdings.