An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir March 2016 www.dfmagazine.ie 36 | by COMDT PADRAIC KENNEDY, OIC MILITARY ARCHIVES Given we are a number of years into the decade of com- memorations, it may come of little surprise that the revo- lutionary records held by the Military Archives continue to attract widespread attention. The various online platforms operated directly by the Military Archives have recorded nearly 12 million page views in the three years since the launch of our website. With circa 700,000 pages to view online, primarily from the years 1913-1923, the Military Archives holds the larg- est collection of Irish revolutionary primary source material in the world. These records play a pivotal role in understanding events of the time and are increasingly being used in publica- tions on the period 1916-1923. As awareness continues to grow about the number of sources available via the Military Archives, so does the workload and responsibility, and the staff deserve praise and congratula- tions for their hard work and professionalism. This year has seen a dramatic increase in the number of queries received, with an almost 52% increase in emails and phone queries, from 569 in December 2015 to 864 in January 2016. This is despite an ever growing number of records available online. The level of detail included in the queries has also increased, as researchers have often conducted prior research online and are now focusing on more specific areas. The increasing use of primary sources and interest in these sources can only be a positive development, as members of the public become more familiar with archival research and the valuable information held within. The Military Archives has a busy schedule ahead, with its legisla- tive responsibility in providing access to records under the National Archives Act, and the many events scheduled for 2016. The provision of original source material throughout the decade of commemora- tions also remains a key component of the 2016 programme. The Military Archives has a wide range of current projects, including the Military Service Pension Collection (MSPC), which has been running for over seven years, making it the single largest archival collection in Ireland for the 1916-1923 period. The phased release of the MSPC will continue over the coming years, follow- ing previous releases in 2014 and 2015. A further release of the Medal File series will take place following the official opening of the new Military Archives on 26th April 2016. The Bureau of Military History (BMH) is also currently undergo- ing a revamp that will provide online access to newly digitised our T he Military Archives is tasked under the National Archives Act of 1986 with the acquisition, preservation, and making available, of the records of the Defence Forces, the Department of Defence and the Army Pensions board. To facilitate the increase and advantages of online research, the Military Archives has made significant strides in the provision of our records online while maintaining our traditional public reading room. Our online presence is a major platform that has created an awareness of, and access to, the Military Archives' records for a wider audience, free from any geographical or time limitations. The initial launch of www. militaryarchives.ie took place in January 2012, followed in August by www.bu- reauofmiltaryhistory.ie. Having the Bureau of Military History online has transformed the expectations for the Military Service Pensions Collection. We can now reach an audience at the click of a mouse, both national and internationally. Letter to Sean T O'Ceallaigh from PH Pearse 22nd April 1916. MA/BMH/CD/95/2/1 Irish Volunteer Prisoner being escorted across O'Connell Bridge under British Army armed escort.

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