The John F. O'Loughlin Endowed Collection in Irish Studies was established in 1985. The late Mr. O'Loughlin ('41) graduated from the business college, which was then known as the School of Foreign and Domestic Commerce. He was an executive who specialized in legislative relations for the Illinois Bell Telephone Company until his retirement in 1987. John served on the board of directors for the Notre Dame Club of Chicago.

The O’Loughlin Endowment primarily supports Anglo-Irish literature. It has been critical in allowing the Libraries to acquire current and retrospective imprints pertaining to writers from the 18th to the 20th centuries. In 1990, it began supporting current fiction published in Ireland. The Libraries resources are on solid footing regarding current Irish imprints. Inroads are being made into obtaining works that will enrich the excellent Irish literature collection at Notre Dame.

John also established the John F. and Anna E. O’Loughlin Scholarship, in memory of his mother.