What are Archives?
What are Archives?Archives are an important part of our heritage . They are the accumulated unique records of an individual or institution that warrant permanent preservation because of their value to their creator for legal administrative or fiscal purposes or to researchers because of their potential research value.
Archive Holdings
Laois County Archives hold archival material relating to the public bodies of County Laois. Our holding include archives from public bodies which are now abolished
In addition Laois County Archives actively acquire archives relating to individuals business and organisations from the County
Our Public Archive Holdings consist of
• Grand Jury Archives 1845-1897
• Board of Guardian Archives 1898-1921
• Rural District Council Archives 1898-1921
• Laois County Council Archives 1898-
Some of the larger collections in our Archives relating to individuals and organisations from County Laois are
• Helen Roe Collection 1923-1932
• Archives of Perry’s Brewery Rathdowney 1835-1923
• Lough Letters 1877-1931
• Joe O Neill Diaries 1960-1982
• Bannon Collection 1930-1950
Milltown Estate Papers 1828-1870
Local Authority Archives
Local authority archives are a relatively under utilised resource in Ireland. In many cases student and researchers have developed avenues of research over the years that do not depend on the availability of Local Authority Archives, simply because such original material has not been accessible in a professional and controlled manner. This is slowly changing and with the advent of Legislation (1994, 2001) placing statutory obligations on Local Authorities to preserve and make public their archives and records.
Laois County Archives Service
Laois County Council is presently developing its County Archive Services. Suitable storage space has been dedicated for archive purposes at Kea-Lew Business Park, Portlaoise. It is intended that Laois County Archives will hold the surviving records of the Public Bodies of the County and other original record material relating to the History of the County.
Access to Archives
Access to Archives is presently through the Local Studies Section of the County Library Service in the Old Mill, Church Street, Portlaoise.
Any Queries should be directed to 057 8594985
This item is contained in Archives of Perry’s Brewery Business Archives