The Irish Military Service Pensions Collection, the first release of which was launched last week by An Taoiseach, Mr Enda Kenny T.D., is a cornerstone project of the Irish Government Decade of Centenaries 2012–2022.
Mallon Technology were an integral part of the project having won the tender to digitise the paper documents into digital format. The project was awarded in 2010 and we supplied a team of 4 archive scanning personnel to the home of the collection in The Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines for 3 years. The entire Collection comprises of some 300,000 files generated as a result of applications for service pensions from veterans involved in the Easter Rising, the War of Independence and the Civil War; allowances from the dependants of those killed or from those wounded on active service and the award of the 1916 Medal and The Service (1917–1921) Medal.
In launching the release of material on line, the Taoiseach said I would like to thank all those who have put so much work into bringing this project to fruition today. As well as bringing the era to life for a new generation, this online archive will provide a great resource for those already interested in the period. It is an important part of the Government’s Centenary Commemoration Programme and honours the memory of those who lived and served their country during this defining period in Irish history.
Mallon Technology Managing Director Ciara McQuillan, who attended the launch event which was held in the G.P.O. Dublin, said “ We were delighted to have been invited to attend this prestigious event and recognised on the night for our input into the project. It was an honour to be involved in such and intriguing and important project.” A phased release of the Military Service (1916–1923) Pensions Collection is planned, with this first stage primarily focused on the participants of the 1916 Rising and includes extensive information regarding divisions from Belfast and Derry. Future releases of material from the Military Service Pensions Collection will take place over the coming years.
Speaking in relation to the launch, Minister Shatter said that “ The Collection records the personal commitment and sacrifice by those men and women who shouldered the task of gaining independence for this country. The release of these records to researchers will transform the scholarship of the period, and provide Irish people at home and abroad with fascinating and copious information about their ancestors who played a part in the establishment of independent Ireland.”
To find out further information around the project or to search and view the collection online visit the Military Archives website.
