Collection blog
Launching the Northern Ireland Troubles Digitisation Project
Today, we launch the first release of the Northern Ireland Digitisation Project, a major four-year research and access initiative.
Northern Ireland Digitisation Project
This project aims to improve access to UK Government records relating to the Northern Ireland Troubles. It will make thousands of UK Government files regarding the conflict available online, free of charge.
About this image
Map of Londonderry religious areas, 1971. Catalogue reference: DEFE 259/2630.
About the project
- Funder
Northern Ireland Office
- Timeframe
2026–2030
- The National Archives' project lead
The Northern Ireland Digitisation Project is a four-year research and access initiative. It is led by The National Archives, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Office, and aims to enhance public understanding of UK government policy and decision making during the Northern Ireland Troubles.
It was developed following cross government consultation and a scoping phase undertaken between September 2024 and Spring 2025. Building on the 'Northern Ireland: Pathways to Peace and Reconciliation' portal, the project responds to ministerial priorities around transparency and legacy. It also forms part of the UK government’s wider programme to address the conflict’s long term impact.
Working collaboratively with record creating departments the project will identify, digitise and contextualise around 5,000 open records held at The National Archives.
These departments include:
- The Northern Ireland Office
- The Cabinet Office
- The Home Office
- The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
- The Ministry of Defence
- The Ministry of Justice
These will be grouped around 22 thematic areas and released online in phased batches from early 2026.
Expected outputs include a freely accessible digital collection, enhanced cataloguing and research guidance, and supporting interpretive content such as blogs, education resources and public engagement activities.
Outcomes include improved remote access to archival material relating to the conflict, greater scholarly and public engagement, and new opportunities for interdisciplinary research. The project’s long term impact lies in supporting accountability, public trust and reconciliation through structured, ethical access to records documenting a contested period of recent history.
Learn more about the Northern Ireland Digitisation Project
Collection blog
Accessing the digitised Northern Ireland Troubles records
Explore how to access material related to the Troubles online through The Northern Ireland Digitisation Project.
Northern Ireland: Pathways to peace and reconciliation
Discover resources related to Northern Ireland, including the Troubles Research Guide, resources for secondary school assemblies, and documents related to the journey to peace.
Explore the records
Discover the first release of documents within the Northern Ireland Digitisation Project on Discovery, our online catalogue.
News
gov.uk
UK Government announces landmark NI Troubles archives projects
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn MP set out the details of two landmark archival projects relating to the Troubles.
New web portal gives easier access to Northern Ireland files
The National Archives launches a web portal bringing together government files which are focused on the situation in Northern Ireland from 1994 up to and including the signing of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in 1998.