What is the oldest archival holding?

Can I donate archives or records?

The County Archives Service would be delighted to accept donations of archives that illustrate the social, economic, cultural and historical development of County Louth. The Service has already acquired private donations such as material from national schools, local committees and societies, local businesses, family papers, estate papers, and so on. At present we are particularly looking for old photographs of street-scenes, landscapes, buildings, or everyday living and working life.

Do the archives receive any conservation treatment?

A conservation catalogue and priority list, indicating the range of methods and techniques applied are kept and reviewed periodically. Conservation treatment is carried out by a professional conservator. However, as time permits, dry surface-cleaning of documents using the archival vacuum-cleaner, special goats and horse-hair brushes, and archival sponges takes place by archival staff. Preventative conservation is ongoing in the Archives Service through the removal of metal paper fasteners (clips, pins, staples, etc), and rubber-bands. These are replaced with inert plastic clips, and packed in acid-free tissue, folders, and boxes.

What archives are there relating to the gaol?

The Archives Service does not hold many archives relating to the gaol. In the Grand Jury collection, a Superintendent's Minute Book exists for the old gaol in Crowe Street Dundalk, dating from 1849-1852. A small number of photographs, a handwritten letter referring to the local atmosphere after the famous escape in 1922, an item of jewellery made by a prisoner, and a prisoners' autograph book were donated by locals.

Were many executions carried out at Dundalk gaol?

It is unknown what the exact figure of executions was; however, the last three executions were carried out in June 1923 when prisoners Thomas McKeown from Cooley, John McNulty from Belleek, and Thomas Murray from Co. Meath were executed by firing squad.

When and where did the famous escape take place?

During the Civil War a successful attempt was made to release the anti-treaty prisoners including Frank Aiken (who later became a Government Minister) from the Gaol. A mine was placed against the perimeter wall on the Ardee Road, which was followed by a grenade attack on the gaol. Having been previously alerted, over one hundred prisoners escaped. Traces can still be found of this escape next to our entrance gate on the main Ardee Road.

What is records management?

Records management describes the management of records that are under thirty years old, through the current and non-current stages of the records life cycle. The purpose of a records management system is to provide centralised control over a decentralised filing system.

What is a closed record?

A closed record or archive is one, which has been certified by the Certifying Officer to be withheld from public inspection. The reasons for this include:

• Would or might constitute a breach of statutory duty, or a breach of good faith on the ground that they contain information supplied in confidence
• Would or might cause distress or danger to living persons on the ground that they contain information about individuals, or would or might be likely to lead to an action for damages or defamation
• Would be contrary to the public interest.

*Taken from Guidelines for Local Authority Archives Services, December 1996

Who and What is the Certifying Officer?

The local authority archives service has its own Certifying Officer. The Certifying Officer is a senior staff member appointed by the County Manager. In our archives service, it is the Director of Community and Enterprise. Some of the Certifying Officer's responsibilities include:

• Overall responsibility for records and archives in the local authorities;
• Certify records to be withheld from public inspection, or 'closed', and certify records and archives for disposal;
• Sign all certificates made in accordance with the above procedures.

*Taken from Guidelines for Local Authority Archives Services, December 1996