The exhibition tells the story of the once magnificent building that was the Public Record Office of Ireland; from its construction to its burning during the Battle of the Four Courts in June 1922 to its final reconstruction.
Collections
The collections in the Public Record Office of Ireland touched on almost every aspect of life in Ireland including census records, wills, maps, parish registers and town records from across the island. It also documented the growth of the State, recording the payment of taxes, the enactment of laws and the birth of the Irish parliament.
This specially-commissioned video was created to accompany the exhibition.
Destruction in 1922 fire
In April 1922, anti-Treaty forces occupied Dublin’s Four Courts buildings, where the Public Record Office of Ireland was located. The occupying forces established their munitions factory and store in the Record Treasury building.
On June 30th 1922, an explosion in an adjacent building at the Four Courts started a fire which spread to the Record Treasury central archive storage, where the munitions were being manufactured. The fire destroyed so much of the building that only the outer wall remained standing.
Within a matter of days, the staff of the Public Record Office began the momentous task of retrieving the records from the rubble.
Reconstruction in 1923
By 1923, the Public Record Office was repaired and staff resumed working on site. Reconstruction works then started with a more modest building restored. This building is now occupied by the Court of Appeal to the front and the National Archives to the rear and basement.
Although the exhibition has concluded, its impact continues to resonate, offering new insights into this pivotal moment in Irish history.
The exhibition ran at the Irish Architectural Archive, 45 Merrion Square East from 1 July to 19 August, 2022 in partnership with the Irish Architectural Archive.
