Our archives

January Document of the Month

Each year, the National Archives accessions new files and other archives from government departments, agencies and court offices under the terms of the National Archives Act, 1986, which allows for the transfer for public inspection and long-term preservation of records of state that are at least 30 years old.

This year, files from mainly relating to 1989 have been released. This work is one of the main functions of the National Archives and requires a large amount of organisation and preparation. The files are made available to members of the public on the first working day of the New Year, when they are officially 30 years old.

Archivists working on the new accessions have highlighted a number of interesting documents for our first exhibition of the year.

Please note the files have not been digitised in their entirety, but are available to researchers in the Reading Room of the National Archives, which is open Monday to Friday from 10.00 until 17.00. Those wishing to consult material in the National Archives must apply for a reader’s ticket on their first visit.

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Transcript of interview given by Sir Nicholas Fenn, British Ambassador to Ireland to “Hanley’s People”, RTÉ.

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Cabinet Minutes, 17 February 1989, Ethiopia: Emergency Medical Supplies

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Letter from Taoiseach Charles Haughey to USA President George Bush

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Letter from Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to Taoiseach Charles Haughey

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Copy of confidential note of meeting between the Taoiseach Charles Haughey and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher

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Letter from Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to Taoiseach Charles Haughey

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