What is inside?

Previous to the establishment of the Irish Public Records Office (PRO), by an 1867 statute (30 & 31 Vict., c. 70), Ireland's public records were located in a variety of repositories throughout the country. Many of the records were perilously stored in unsuitable conditions, and on the opening of the PRO, records were progressively transferred to the new repository, for safe keeping. Each year, between 1869 and 1920 (and less frequently thereafter), the Office published an annual report, known as the Deputy Keeper's Report, which detailed the records received, and the work undertaken, during the previous twelve months. Though little known, these reports can contain useful source material for the historical researcher. Although the reports were usually brief, they often contained copious appendices, which can be especially useful. This is particularly the case, bearing in mind the destruction of the PRO during the Irish Civil War, so the Deputy Keeper's reports now often represent the only record of lost primary source material. This 11th Report of the Deputy Keeper of Public Records in Ireland was published in 1879. Much of the report is concerned with the status of transfers and classification of various records. Tables are included detailing the schedule of Church of Ireland Parishes and Parochial records deposited and "now consultable at the Public Record Office". This list is doubly important because it provides a record of what was lost in 1922. The appendices of the 11th report cover the following items: ·Report of the Keeper of State Papers ·Correspondence as to Inventions-Patents ·Calendar of Fiants of Reign of Queen Elizabeth 1558-1570 This calendar of Fiants, represents one of the most important government records of this time detailing state appointments, leases of crown land, pardons and much of the administration of the state.

• Cultural history

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