Explore the full 1995 release from 2 January 2026: 13,938 files across 1,324 boxes.
1995 was a turning point for Ireland, a year of peace talks, social change, and cultural triumphs. From the first formal dialogue between Taoiseach John Bruton and Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams to the narrow vote that legalized divorce, Ireland was redefining itself.
Historic visits by Prince Charles and US President Bill Clinton underscored Ireland’s growing international profile, while cultural achievements from Seamus Heaney’s Nobel Prize to Ireland hosting Eurovision, affirmed our global influence.
As the National Archives opens thousands of files from 1995, we invite you to explore the stories behind these events.
The following five files, now transferred to the National Archives, offer insights into diplomacy, governance, cultural outreach, and significant historical events.
Edward VIII’s Abdication and Ireland’s Role
When King Edward VIII abdicated in December 1936, the shockwaves reached Dublin. Newly released files reveal confidential telegrams and letters between British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin and Eamon de Valera, then President of the Executive Council.
One handwritten letter from Baldwin (28 November 1936) asks de Valera for his personal views and “what he thinks would be the view of public opinion in your Dominion.” These exchanges show Ireland’s discreet but pivotal role in a constitutional drama that gripped the world.
The file also includes notes from the 1960s about withholding these records from public inspection at the UK Government’s request—a reminder of how sensitive this correspondence remained for decades.
Reference: NAI/TSCH/2025/115/994
TSCH_2025_115_994
Image: Confidential letters between Stanley Baldwin and Eamon de Valera reveal Ireland’s discreet role in the abdication crisis.
The Sea Mine Explosion of 1946
On 12 March 1946, a sea mine exploded off Sorrento Road, Dalkey, causing significant property damage. Newly opened records detail Edward Knight’s claim for compensation under the Neutrality (War Damage to Property) Act, 1941.
This file offers a glimpse into the lingering impact of World War II on neutral Ireland. Though the war had ended, its dangers persisted—sometimes in unexpected ways.
Reference: NAI/FIN/2024/120/361
FIN_2024_120_361
Image: Records detail Edward Knight’s compensation claim after a mine exploded off Sorrento Road, showing the lingering impact of WWII on neutral Ireland.
A Diplomatic Gesture from Beijing
In January 1986, Dublin Zoo received two very special visitors: giant pandas Ming Ming and Ping Ping. A newly released file includes a one-page fax from the Irish Embassy in Beijing outlining the terms of the loan.
The pandas were an instant sensation—142,000 visitors flocked to the zoo in the first month alone. This cultural exchange highlights how diplomacy can take many forms, even involving bamboo and black-and-white fur.
Reference: NAI/DFA/2025/124/1
DFA_2025_124_1
Image: A one-page fax from the Irish Embassy in Beijing outlines the loan terms for Ming Ming and Ping Ping.
Letters for Peace
Behind the headlines of the Northern Ireland peace process were letters that shaped history. One newly released file contains correspondence between Gerry Adams and key figures including John Bruton, Patrick Mayhew, and John Major.
A letter from Adams to Bruton (30 June 1995) stresses the importance of “inclusiveness” in negotiations, while Bruton’s letter to Major (22 June 1995) identifies obstacles to progress. These exchanges reveal the complexity and urgency of building peace.
Reference: NAI/DFA/2023/50/164
DFA_2023_50_164
Image: Correspondence between Gerry Adams, John Bruton, Patrick Mayhew, and John Major highlights the complexity of Northern Ireland peace negotiations.
Bill Clinton’s Coat of Arms
When President Bill Clinton visited Ireland in December 1995, he received a unique gift: a Patent of Arms rich in symbolism. The lion on the shield represents authority and family names in Clinton’s lineage, while shamrocks commemorate his Irish forebears.
The motto An leon do bheir an chraobh (“the lion-champion who bears away the branch of victory”) comes from an early Irish saga. Clinton was the third American president with Irish roots to be so honoured, underscoring the deep ties between Ireland and the United States.
Reference: NAI/TSCH/2025/115/827
TSCH_2025_115_827
Image: A photograph of the Patent of Arms presented during President Clinton’s visit symbolises Irish heritage and U.S.–Ireland ties.