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?
- 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
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?
- Records stored on-site or on microflim 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
Improved service for researchers: Same‑day access to Wills (1904–1990)
Researchers can now order and view a will on the same day of their visit. All wills from 1904 to 1990 are now stored on site in our Bishop Street repository, allowing for significantly faster retrieval and consultation. This improvement means that most requests can be fulfilled during a single visit, supporting more efficient research and reducing waiting times. for those working with probate material.