Deep History, Deepening Collaborations

54 Grand Jury Archives In partnership with Local Government Archivists and Record Managers During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the grand jury was the ‘most important local body in rural Ireland’ (Virginia Crossman, Local government in nineteenth century Ireland (Belfast, 1994), p. 25). The archives of the grand jury, which in some cases span two centuries of Irish history, shine a light on social and political life at the most local of levels, in almost every corner of the country. Local Government Archivists and Records Managers’ exciting partnership with the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland will work to enhance access to digitized grand jury archives. In due course and for the first time, grand jury collections from counties across Ireland will become available in one digital repository. Digitization will also help to preserve the original collections for future generations. Initially the grand jurors, consisting of local wealthy landlords, were concerned with the administration of justice. Court sittings (assizes) took place twice a year in spring and summer. Over time the grand juries were given broader functions such as building roads and bridges, schools, hospitals, public buildings and the county gaol, as well as tax (county cess) collection, and boarding out orphaned children The range of their duties is well-documented in the many assizes and presentment books, as well as other grand jury records which survive such as contract books, maps, minutes of meetings, accounts and correspondence. The survival rate of the records varies from one local authority to another; some date back to the early-eighteenth century. The records reflect the gradual changes that took place in society, and in national and local politics, while exposing the archaic nature of the grand jury system itself. Grand jury collections are generally available at local archive services, or in libraries in the Republic of Ireland. There are also significant collections in the National Archives of Ireland, National Library of Ireland, and the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland. Some are already available to view online. The significance of grand jury archives was showcased in our 2021 publication — People, Place and Power | Daoine, Áit agus Cumhacht — produced in partnership with the LGARM. Through this growing partnership, we will work together at local and national level to enrich understanding and enable more in-depth scholarly research into these unique archives well into the future. Preparations are under way for a Virtual Treasury Local Roadshow: we look forward to showing the local riches available in the VRTI at county archives and libraries around the country. Above: Plan for Galway Prison (detail). Credit: Galway County Council Archives.