Details of two Troubles archive projects announced by Government

By Jonathan McCambridge (PA)

Two archival projects related to the Northern Ireland Troubles have been announced.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn set out the details during a visit to The National Archives at Kew.

The first is a project to digitise and publish open UK government records relating to the Troubles in collaboration with The National Archives.

The Government said this will broaden access by publishing digital copies of paper records that have previously only been available by visiting Kew, making them free to view online.

The second is an archival research project which will see official historians appointed, following an independent recruitment process, to research government policy towards Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

The Government said they will be given full access to UK state archives.

Mr Benn said: “I have seen today examples of the records digitisation process and look forward to the first records in this project being published in the autumn.

“I am also grateful to members of the academic advisory panel for lending their expertise to the important archival research project, and I have every confidence that they will ensure it is conducted to the highest academic standards.

“Their first task will be to identify highly qualified and independently minded historians via open competition, and I would encourage anyone interested in this project to find out more on their website.

“Taken together, these projects will provide an invaluable resource for the public, journalists, educational institutions, researchers, and academics, making information about this period in Northern Ireland’s history more accessible, and so making government decision-making more transparent.”

Saul Nasse, chief executive of The National Archives, said: “The National Archives’ documents provide a valuable perspective on the Troubles.“This project will mean the widest possible audience will be able to view the records online to grow their understanding of this significant period in modern history.”

Co-chairs of the independent advisory panel, Professor Caoimhe Nic Dhaibheid and Lord Bew, said: “We welcome the Government’s strong commitment to increasing access to state archives, which has been an important part of dealing with the past in many other countries.

“The Government has rightly recognised the need for work of this nature to be conducted transparently and independently, and as co-chairs of the expert advisory panel we look forward to engaging with colleagues across the academic community as we collectively seek to further understanding of this important period in our history.”

The first tranche of records are expected to be available on The National Archives website by autumn 2025.

(left to right) Head of Modern Collections for The National Archives, Dr Will Butler, Chief Executive and Keeper of Public Records, Saul Nasse, and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, at The National Archives at Kew. (Photo by PA)