The Bureau of Military History in Ireland was established in January 1947 by Oscar Traynor TD, Minister for Defence and former Captain in the Irish Volunteers. The rationale for the establishment of the Bureau was to give individuals who played an active part in the events which brought about Irish Independence a chance to record their own experiences. Those who took part included members of groups such as the Irish Volunteers and subsequently the Irish Republican Army (IRA), Cumann na mBan, the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB), Sinn Féin, the Irish Citizen Army, and relatives of deceased not associated with any organisation.[1]
The materials were closed until 2003, when they were opened to public access. In 2012, a substantial portion of the materials were made available online.
- ^ Defence Forces Headquarters Archived 18 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine