National Archives, Ireland

About National Archives, Ireland

Archives tell us more about who we are; they tell our story and the National Archives exists to uphold the memory of the State by collecting, managing and preserving the public record of Ireland. With over 50 million items in its collections, the National Archives is home to a wealth of historical documents that capture the political, economic and social forces that have shaped modern Ireland. The National Archives is a rich public resource that is open and free of charge to anyone over the age of 16. Equipped with power points, computers and Wi-Fi, the Reading Room is a quiet space where you can explore the treasures of the archives. All you need to access the Reading Room is a valid reader’s ticket and while the majority of archives are not yet digitised, the online catalogue contains over two million entries and searching is free. We also offer a free genealogy advisory service staffed by a team of professional genealogists which operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Whether you’re exploring Ireland’s history or your own story, we look forward to welcoming you to the National Archives.