How can I access the Reading Room?
The Reading Room is open to all members of the public for research. Visitors must be over 16 years of age; those aged 16 or 17 must be accompanied by an adult who holds a valid reader’s ticket.
You can apply for a reader’s ticket here:
https://nationalarchives.ie/plan-a-visit/readers-ticket/
Do I need a reader’s ticket to order documents before a visit?
Yes, to access our Reading Room and collections, you need to hold a reader’s ticket.
How do I obtain a reader’s ticket?
You can apply for or renew a reader’s ticket using the form below. Tickets must be collected in person.
To collect your reader’s ticket, you must:
- Be aged 18 or over
*visitors aged 16 or 17 must be accompanied by an adult with a reader’s ticket. - Provide photo identification
- Provide proof of your address within the last 6 months
Once issued, your ticket will allow you to order archives in advance and consult them in the Reading Room.
Find out more on our website: https://nationalarchives.ie/plan-a-visit/readers-ticket/
What records will I be able to access on my visit?
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- Census 1841 and 1851 Search Forms
- Prerogative and diocesan copies of some wills and indexes to others, 1595-1858
- Prerogative and diocesan marriage licence bonds indexes 1623-1866
- Property Losses (Ireland) Committee PLIC
- Shipping Records (Board of Trade), 1863-1921
- Tithe Applotment Books, 1823-37
- Chief Secretary’s Office, Registered Papers, 1818-1833
- Chief Secretary’s Office, Convict Dept., Transportation Registers (Ireland to Australia), 1836-1857
- CSO, Convict Dept., Prisoners’ Petitions and Cases (1788–1836)
- CSO, Convict Dept., State Prisoners’ Petitions (1798–1799)
- CSO, Convict Dept., Convict Reference Files (1836–1856, 1865–1868)
- CSO, Convict Dept., Free Settlers’ Papers (1828–1852)
- CSO, Convict Dept., Male Convict Register (1842–1847)
- CSO, Convict Dept., Register of Convicts on Convict Ships (1851–1853)
- Valuation Office, 1826-1865
- Will calendars, 1858-1920
- Will ‘registers’ 1858-1900 = Will Books
How do I order archives ahead of my visit?
It’s easy to order on-site archives while you are researching in the Reading Room. If the archives you need are stored off-site, you can order them in advance of your visit.
http://nationalarchives.ie/plan-a-visit/order-archives/
Can I order documents on the day of my visit?
- Most of our records are stored on-site and can be ordered on the day of your visit to the Reading Room.
- Use the Reading Room finding aids to identify the reference code of the archive
- Fill in the order docket and give it to a Reading Room staff member
- The staff member will arrange to retrieve it from storage
- Present your reader’s ticket to scan the archive out – it will be recorded in our document management system