The National Archives of Dublin has announced that the much-anticipated 2024 releases of Department of State records are now available for exploration through their online catalogue. This latest update is a treasure trove for history aficionados, featuring 35 record transfers and 14,547 individual file descriptions.

These new additions are a blend of documents released under both the 30-year and 20-year rules, offering a fascinating glimpse into Ireland’s past:

  • Records dating back 30 years, primarily from 1993, across various departments and scheduled bodies.
  • Anglo-Irish records from the 1990s to December 2003, detailing significant developments in the peace process and Northern Ireland, including pivotal moments like the Good Friday Agreement. These records originate from the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Justice, and the Office of the Attorney General.

For those eager to delve into these historical documents, the complete finding aid for each transfer can be accessed on the National Archives website by searching the relevant reference codes provided below. In the ‘Advanced Search’ section, simply enter 2023/1/* in the ‘Reference Code’ field to uncover detailed descriptions of all the Department of the Taoiseach’s Central Registry files recently added.

The transfers include:

Department of the Taoiseach

Department of the Taoiseach: Central Registry (2023/1)

Department of the Taoiseach: Northern Ireland, 2000 (2023/154)

Department of the Taoiseach: Northern Ireland, 2001 (2023/155)

Department of Foreign Affairs

Department of Foreign Affairs: Anglo-Irish Section, 1999 (2022/45)

Department of Foreign Affairs: Anglo-Irish Section, 2000 (2022/47)

Department of Foreign Affairs: Anglo-Irish Section, 2001 (2022/48)

Department of Foreign Affairs: Central Registry (2023/47)

Department of Foreign Affairs: Embassy of Ireland to the UK, 1990 (2021/53)

Department of Foreign Affairs: Embassy of Ireland to the UK, 1991 (2021/54)

Department of Foreign Affairs: Embassy of Ireland to the UK, 1992 (2021/55)

Department of Foreign Affairs: Embassy of Ireland to the UK, 1993 (2021/56)

Department of Foreign Affairs: Embassy of Ireland to the UK, 1994 (2021/57)

Department of Foreign Affairs: Embassy of Ireland to the UK, 1995 (2021/58)

Department of Foreign Affairs: Embassy of Ireland to the UK, 1996 (2021/59)

Department of Foreign Affairs: Embassy of Ireland to the UK, 1997 (2021/60)

Department of Foreign Affairs: Embassy of Ireland to the UK, 1998 (2021/61)

Department of Foreign Affairs: Embassy of Ireland to the UK, 1999 (2023/51)

Department of Foreign Affairs: Embassy of Ireland to the UK, 2000 (2023/52)

Department of Foreign Affairs: Embassy of Ireland to the UK, 2001 (2023/53)

Department of Foreign Affairs: Embassy of Ireland to the UK, 2002 (2023/54)

Department of Foreign Affairs: Secretary’s Office (2023/48)

Office of the Attorney General

Office of the Attorney General: Anglo-Irish files (2023/2)

Department of Justice

Department of Justice: Security and Northern Ireland, 2003 (2023/153)

Department of Justice: prisoner/military service pension queries (2023/157)

Department of Justice: Royal Irish Constabulary (2023/158)

Image Source:

  • Photo by Mr Cup / Fabien Barral: instant images