Department of Defence Files: Recent Accruals
(1917-1990s)

Summary Details of the Recently Received Departmental Files.

These files (organised into Central Registry 2- and 3- series files, subject-based file series and some files with general numerical file references) are the most recent accruals to our Department of Defence administrative file collections.

The file dates cover a wide range from the 1920s to the 1990s (with one file harking back to 1917 in relation to burial rights in Prospect Cemetery) and the subjects covered are the same as in the main sets of "2-" and "3-" file series.

However, for information purposes, some of the subjects from these accruals include:

The proposed erection of a monument at the Army Plot in Glasnevin cemetery; Defence Force Regulations on National and Regimental Colours for parades; the establishment of a military museum; applications by various civic authorities for overflights by the Air Corps for particular events and ceremonies; the promotion of the work of the Bureau of Military History in the 1940s and numerous queries from the public on a wide range of historical subjects, including requests for information from the Military Archives section from the 1960s to the 1980s.

The main subject sub-series are noted below:

Working Party Files:

This small sub-series of files concern information-gathering exercises from various other Government Departments and Garda Authorities.

War Emergency Planning Files:

This sub-series of files relates to planning for Nuclear War from the 1960s to the 1980s, including Civil Defence files, Observer Corps files and files covering potential cooperation with the UK.

Inter-Departmental Emergency Planning Committee Files:

These files cover correspondence between different Government Departments in the 1960s and 1970s, including various 'matters of common concern' and progress reports in planning for war.

Civil Defence Files:

These files, from the 1950s to the 1980s, cover Civil Defence Bills, the organisation of the Civil Defence, quarterly progress reports, policy for emergency or war, strength returns, a compensation scheme for volunteers injured during training, education and training of the public on the hazards of Nuclear War including the distribution of the Home Protection Handbook, and refugees from Northern Ireland (including their accommodation in local authority refugee centres by county).

Air Raid Precaution Files:

These files, from the late 1930s and early 1940s, concern Air Raid Precautions legislation, regulations and reports on the British system.

To view a PDF of the listing of this collection, please click on the link at the bottom of the right-hand column of this page.

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