Our archives

Cruinniú na nÓg 2021 at the National Archives

Hello and welcome to the National Archives!

In case you’re wondering what we do, we collect records which help to paint a picture of life in Ireland in the past. These records can be photographs, letters or documents created by our government. The National Archives keeps these important records for you, your family, and for anyone to learn more about our past.

You may have chatted to your parents and grandparents before about what life was like for them when they were children, or learned in school about the exciting events which have shaped our history and our society today. Many of the records we hold act as evidence for these reminiscences. Our census collection for example may very well hold information on your relatives from over 100 years ago and it will help you to carry out some of the activities we have offered below. So why not have a look through our census collection and have a go at our quiz or how about starting your own family history by conducting an interview with your relatives and filling in your family tree? See below how to take a first step towards history!

For more activities in your area see here

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1911 Census Quiz - Learn how to search one of our most important collections and discover facts about people of the past!

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Jigsaws! - Do you like jigsaws? Why not have a go at doing a jigsaw online featuring images from our collections

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Oral history - conduct an interview with family members to begin your genealogy journey!

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Create your own family tree! Chart your family members and their connection to you

More Online Collections

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23.02.28

Files in focus: ‘Medieval Memorandum Rolls’ by Dr Elizabeth Biggs
Two Original Memoranda Roll: NAI EX 1/1 and 1/2   Among the most extensive of the medieval collections that were...

Document of the month Online exhibitions

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23.01.16

Behind the Scenes: Annual Releases 2024
  Under the National Archives Act of 1986, archives of Government Departments that became 30 years old on 31 December...

Online exhibitions

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22.12.05

File in focus: ‘Ancient and Modern Warfare’ – an essay by Michael Collins
In December 1904, Headmaster John Crowley at the Clonakilty National Boys School set his class a timed English composition test,...

Document of the month Online exhibitions