The 2026 Release #2 is now live on the website. Today’s release adds 400 newly digitised documents, bringing the archive’s total amount to 5,061 items. A significant milestone.
The Update
On a wet January day I made the long journey to visit Brian MacDomhnaill and his collection of Irish Republican documents. Brian served as Director of Publicity for Sinn Féin and as Assistant Editor of An Phoblacht/Republican News in the 1980s. We spent the day sharing stories, and slowly working through papers, until the winter light faded and it was time to stop. I’m very grateful for the kindness and hospitality I was shown, and for his generosity in donating this material. I’m delighted to be able to share over 200 documents that I scanned that day as the backbone for the 2nd release for 2026.
I’ve also added documents from other sources and I extend my thanks to those who wish to remain anonymous for their contributions to this update.
2026 Release #2 Misc. (204 Items)
Over 200 documents grouped together for convenience. They will be redistributed into their proper sections before the next update. Highlights include:
- Six Sinn Féin Ard Fheis Clár agus Rúin booklets from the 1970s
- Twelve never before seen internal PSF publicity documents
- Some extremely rare election literature from Joe Christle, Rory Brady (Ruairí Ó Brádaigh), Seamus McElwain and Seamus Costello.
- Two editions of ‘The Jail Birds Weekly’ which was a handwritten bulletin produced in 1923 by IRA prisoners interned in the Curragh Camp. These were donated by the family of John Walsh (1902-1984) who was a prisoner in the camp and who brought the papers with him to America when he emigrated in 1925.
- The first issue of the Captive Voice from 1989 signed by over 75 prisoners in Long Kesh.
- An original 1986 hand written statement by Gerry Adams on the walkout of Ruairí Ó Brádaigh and others over the issue of abstentionism.
2026 Release #2 Papers (111 Items)
111 Irish Republican Newspapers grouped together for convenience. They will also be redistributed into their proper sections before the next update.
- 6 issues of An Eochair which was a bulletin of the Irish Republican prisoners in Long Kesh, associated with Official Sinn Féin.
- 43 issues of An Phoblacht from 1971 to 1977.
- 7 issues of Borderline from the 1980s. Borderline was a newspaper issued by the Provisionals in West Monaghan and South Fermanagh.
- 18 issues of ConcERNEd from 1972 to 1974. A weekly publication published by Fermanagh Resistance. More of these coming in the next update.
- 7 issues of Republican News from 1971 to 1975
- 9 issues of Republican Bulletin and Saoirse from 1987 to 1992. The monthly newspaper of Republican Sinn Féin.
- 12 issues of The Starry Plough from 1975 to 1985. Newspaper of the Irish Republican Socialist Party.
- 9 misc. papers including the Wolfe Tone Weekly, Prison Bars, Extradition News and Resurgent Ulster.
IRIS and PSF Press Releases 1970s (85 Items)
A new section has been added to the archive featuring issues of IRIS (Irish Republican Information Service) and press releases from Provisional Sinn Féin dating from the 1970s. IRIS was a republican weekly publication by the Provisional movement which existed between 1973 and 1980. It was sent to journalists, support groups, sympathetic politicians and embassies.
More press releases from the 1970s are coming in the next update.
Future Releases
Another release is currently in progress, with further collaboration with Brian MacDomhnaill and regular contributor irish_republican_archive. I expect this update to be ready around mid-June and I will then take an extended summer break.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the project and helped make the archive possible.
Kind regards,
Alan
Irish Republican Digital Archive
2026 Release #1 (January 2026)
I’m delighted to announce that the Irish Republican Digital Archive is back with a new approach and a significant new update.
This upload marks the beginning of a new phase for the archive. My approach will focus on working directly with collections and collectors, as well as collaborating with other online archives. For this update I worked with the J and L Sweeney Collection, @irish_republican_archive, the Irish Election Literature website and another donor who wishes to remain anonymous.
Today’s release adds over 700 newly digitised documents, bringing the archive’s total amount to 4,661 items.
2026 Misc. Upload 1
Over 200 documents grouped together for convenience. They will be redistributed into their proper sections in April.
- 80+ issues of both An Phoblacht and Republican News (1971-1979) including the last issue of An Phoblacht from 1979
- 63 issues of Troops Out Magazine (1977-1995) and 3 Troops Out Movement leaflets
- 62 issues of An Phoblacht/Republican News from 1990-1996
These files are now redistributed to their permanent sections
2026 Misc. Upload 2
A second misc. section with over 200 documents grouped together for convenience. They will be redistributed into their proper sections in April.
- 120+ misc. items including issues of Resistance Comics, Republican Calendars and documents related to the prison struggle
- 46 items donated by the Irish Election Literature website
- 27 Republican Christmas Cards
- 22 International Solidarity documents (17 from Germany, 4 from France and 1 from Japan)
These files are now redistributed to their permanent sections
Misc. Items donated by the J and L Sweeney Collection
I recently had the opportunity to visit the J and L Sweeney Collection for a day, during which I scanned approximately 200 items. I’m incredibly grateful for their warm hospitality, generous donations, and the well-deserved pints of Guinness afterward. For convenience, I’ve grouped 90 of their miscellaneous documents together in this section, and again they will be redistributed into their respective sections in April.
- 20 issues of the Irish language newsletter Nuacht Feirste
- Prison and hunger strike documents
- Civil Rights Newsletters
These files are now redistributed to their permanent sections
Free Derry
The first county-focused section of the archive is dedicated to Derry. This section was created in collaboration with the J and L Sweeney Collection, and I’m incredibly grateful for their generous donation of over 100 Derry related documents. I’ve also included several previously uploaded items.
- 25 issues of Volunteer
- Over 40 issues of local Derry newsletters including The Starry Plough, Saoirse, Doire Nua, Bogside News, Peoples News, The Croppy, Free Derry News, Shantallow News, Creggan News, IRIS Dhoire and Waterside Sinn Fein.
https://republicanarchive.com/2026/01/16/free-derry
Irish America
Irish America was always a section I wanted to do but didn’t have enough documents to do it justice. That changed after a suggestion from our good friend @irish_republican_archive who donated over 50 items to get the section started. Again I have collated some previously uploaded items for this section and hopefully it will expand over time.
- 50+ issues of The Irish People
https://republicanarchive.com/2026/01/16/irish-america
People’s Democracy
I gave some thought to how best to include the People’s Democracy documents I had scanned, as the group sits somewhat outside the usual scope of the website. I considered placing them in the miscellaneous section, but with almost 100 items it felt more appropriate to give them their own space. While not central to the archive’s focus, I feel the material is of genuine historical interest and adds useful context.
https://republicanarchive.com/2026/01/18/peoples-democracy
The Supplemental Collection
The Supplemental Collection is a new initiative which contains files from the Irish Republican Digital Archive that are hosted externally on the Internet Archive for practical reasons, including material not explicitly Irish Republican in nature, large files unsuitable for the main website, and duplicate items retained for reference.
From time to time, I come across documents that are not suited to the focus of the website but, as a history enthusiast, I still believe they are worth preserving. All material remains part of the wider archive and is made available to ensure continued access while maintaining the focus of the core collection.
This collection launches with over 100 documents, comprising both items previously available on the main website and newly added material.
https://archive.org/details/@the_irish_republican_digital_archive
Future Releases
I am currently in discussions with others regarding access to additional collections, and any future releases will depend on securing this access. While there is no definitive plan for the next update at present, I do hope to return with more material in 2026.
Thank you for your continued interest and support.
Kind regards,
Alan
Irish Republican Digital Archive