The Archive Unit is a section within the National Monuments Service, Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht and consists of an extensive body of material relating to the archaeological heritage of the State.
The main collections consist of the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) files comprising reports on some 136,800 archaeological sites within the State; c.25,000 excavation reports on the results of licensed and unlicensed excavations; a Carved Stone Inventory collection; underwater survey volumes, including the Shipwreck Inventory and Ports, Piers and Harbours volumes; and an extensive photographic collection of some 550,000 images of monuments. The Archive Unit is also in the process of providing storage for the transfer of paper archives from excavations carried out under licence.
The public reading room is now located in the Custom House, Dublin 1. There are spaces available for 10 researchers at any one time. The opening day and time remain the same as before - Fridays only from 10am to 5pm – however please note that the reading room will close completely from 1pm to 2.15pm on this day.
The Archive Unit can be contacted either by telephone (01) 8883922 (from Ireland) / +353 1 8883922 (from outside Ireland) or by email nmarchive@ahg.gov.ie
Application Forms
Form 1: Archive File Request Form PDF
Form 2: Request to view unpublished excavation reports PDF
Form 3: Application for RMP Maps & Lists PDF
Information & Guidelines
NMS Archive Unit Information Booklet
Archive Reading Room Regulations
Archive Unit,
National Monuments Service,
Department of Cultrue, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
Room G62,
Custom House,
Dublin 1.
Tel: 01 8883922
Email: nmarchive@ahg.gov.ie