The Irish Republican Digital Archive Update (Number 5)
New Additions: Ardoyne Volunteer, 1974 Republican News, Bobby Sands Manifesto, Irish Language Material & More
Hi All,
Welcome to the 5th edition of our Newsletter. We’ve just added 40 new documents to the archive, including some rare and significant items across several categories.
Original Bobby Sands Election Literature
We are honoured to add an original Bobby Sands Manifesto and 1981 Election Leaflet from his historic candidacy in Fermanagh & South Tyrone while on hunger strike in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh.
These museum worthy items were rescued from an attic a number of years ago.
https://republicanarchive.com/2024/12/20/the-prison-struggle/
New 1974 Section
We’ve launched a new section focusing on 1974, which includes 23 issues of Republican News from that year. This was a pivotal period in the conflict, which includes the collapse of the Sunningdale Agreement, the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and the death of Hunger Striker Michael Gaughan.
https://republicanarchive.com/2025/04/21/the-1974-collection/
Brighton Bomb Issue of An Phoblacht/Republican News
We've added the iconic 1984 An Phoblacht/Republican News issue covering the IRA bombing of the Grand Hotel in Brighton during the Conservative Party conference. A key piece of Irish Republican history.
https://republicanarchive.com/2024/12/30/an-phoblacht-republican-news-ap-rn/
Ardoyne Volunteer Newsletter
We’ve added two issues of the Ardoyne Volunteer, a Belfast PSF newsletter from the early 1970s. These issues from April and May 1972 are valuable additions to our local Provisional Sinn Féin (1970-1980) section.
https://republicanarchive.com/2025/02/18/local-provisional-sinn-fein-newspapers-1970-1980/
Irish Language Documents
We’ve bolstered our Irish language selection with:
2 issues of Nuacht Feirste from March 1986 – A Belfast-based Irish language newsletter published by Sinn Féin.
Saoirse (Spring 1985) – A fully Irish language Republican magazine published by Sinn Féin in the 1980s.
https://republicanarchive.com/2024/09/28/provisional-sinn-fein-1970-1986/
Faoi ghlas ag Gaill (1981) – Published by Gaeil Bhéal Feirste In Eadan H-Bloc agus Ard Mhaca in 1981. This booklet on the prison struggle translates as ‘locked up by the foreigner.’
https://republicanarchive.com/2024/12/20/the-prison-struggle/
New Booklets
A selection of booklets has been added:
The Story of Struggle Through Print – A look at Republican posters throughout the years.
Our Patriot Dead (2002) – A 30th Anniversary booklet released to commemorate the deaths of 8 Republicans in the Short Strand area of Belfast in 1972.
The Pearse Column & The Brookeborough Raid (2006) – Detailing one of the most famous IRA operations of the 1950s which resulted in the deaths of Sean South and Fergal O'Hanlon.
Calendars
We have added four Calendars published by Republican Sinn Féin in 2004, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
https://republicanarchive.com/2024/09/26/republican-calendars/
Subscribers Update
In the Subscribers Section, we've uploaded Volume 2 of They Died for Ireland, continuing the series on those who gave their lives in the cause of Irish freedom.
Access Password: subscribe
Next Update
Our next update is expected around the 6th of May and will include:
A History of Conflict in the Short Strand (1886-1997)
More issues of Republican News and An Phoblacht from 1974.
Andersonstown News Interview
We were delighted that the Irish Republican Digital Archive was recently featured in the Andersonstown News and the Irish Echo. The piece includes an interview about the origins of the project, the work that goes into preserving these documents, and the growing interest in the digital archiving of Republican history.
Appeal for Support
We have launched an appeal for support so we can purchase a document scanner. The archive will always remain free to access — that’s a core principle of this project. But if you’re in a position to help, it would make a real difference.
https://republicanarchive.com/appeal/
Thank you for your continued support to both the archive and this newsletter. If you have any documents to donate, feel free to get in touch by email at irisharchive@outlook.com or message us on Instagram.
Please share this email and details of the archive with those you think might find it of interest. It would be of great help.
Kind regards,
Alan
Irish Republican Digital Archive