On display
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National Archives displays original Anglo-Irish Agreement at 40th Anniversary event
On Tuesday, 18 November 2025, the National Archives proudly facilitated the display of the original 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement at a special event marking its 40th anniversary at Iveagh House, St Stephen’s Green.
The event was hosted by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris TD, and featured reflections from Dick Spring, former Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs. A panel discussion brought together leading experts and former members of the Civil Service who were in the Anglo-Irish Division in 1985 and who were directly involved in the negotiations, offering unique insights into the Agreement’s legacy and its role in shaping modern Irish-British relations.
Signed at Hillsborough Castle in November 1985, the Anglo-Irish Agreement was a landmark accord between the Irish and British governments. It established the Intergovernmental Conference and gave the Irish Government an advisory role in Northern Ireland affairs—laying the groundwork for future peace initiatives and influencing the Good Friday Agreement.
The National Archives was honoured to safeguard and present this historic document, reaffirming its mission to preserve records of enduring national significance and make them accessible for public engagement.
Researchers can explore Department of Foreign Affairs files from this period, now available in the National Archives, which include negotiation notes, policy papers, and correspondence that shaped the Anglo-Irish Agreement and its legacy.
Researchers can explore Department of Foreign Affairs files from this period, now available in the National Archives, which include negotiation notes, policy papers, and correspondence that shaped the Anglo-Irish Agreement and its legacy.
