Cork City and County Archives

Cork City and County Archives (CCCA) is one of Cork's Largest and Most Important Cultural Heritage Assets

The CCCA archive comprises original, unique, and irreplacable, documents and records that have been donated to us for future research and use. We acquire, preserve, and to carry out the professional archival processing and controls needed to keep archives both secure and appropriately accessible.

We preserve over 4 kilometers of material, comprising over 1200 individual archives. This is one of Cork's largest and most important cultural heritage and information assets.

The quality and volume of archives that have been acquired by CCCA is a testament to local government, the co-operation between Cork's local government and U.C.C., the support of the local community, the work of current and former staff, and the support of other archives professionals working at both local and national level.

Local Government Archives

CCCA is the designated repository for archives generated by local government. Local authority archives held include those from Cork City Council and Cork County Council, and those from various defunct local authorities such as the poor law (workhouse) boards of guardians, rural district councils, urban district councils/town councils, the Grand Jury of County Cork, the pre 1960 local boards of public health, hospitals, vocational education committees, and Cork Harbour Commissioners. 

Donated Archives

Archives have been donated from a huge variety of local organisations, and individuals, including prominent citizens, businesses, landed estates, solicitors, trade unions, charitable bodies, schools, photographers. Many unique aspects of the social, political, commercial and cultural history of Cork are documented in the collections.

Genealogy

Many of our archives contain genealogical information that is not readily available elsewhere, for example, from deeds and legal documents, landed estate records, cemetery registers, workhouse registers, hospital registers, and business records. The CCCA has an active programme of listing and digitising records. Increased investment in this area will have benefits for heritage tourism and developing links to the Irish diaspora.

Research Room Access

• Our Research Room is open, by appointment, to researchers who are registered as a Reader with the Archives.

• To apply to register as a Reader, please complete and return the Reader Application Form well in advance.

• Readers must read and agree to the Rules and Conditions of access.

• Original current photographic identification with signature, plus official proof of address, must be supplied on first arrival in order to complete the registration process.

• Written proof of researcher credentials and research purpose, such as an academic referral, may also be required.

• There is no charge to register.

Opening Hours (by appointment)

• Appointments are available only to researchers who are registered, or who have applied and been approved to register, as a Reader with the Archives (see above).

• Appointments are not valid until confirmed by the Archives.

• Appointments must be requested well in advance please.

Accessing Material

• It is the Reader's responsibility to read/search the online catalogue database, descriptive lists, and indexes, in order to locate material relevant to their research, prior to their visit. (See collections)

• It is recommended to pre-order material in advance of your appointment by email using the relevant collection and item reference numbers. Up to 5 items may be pre-ordered.

• The permission of the Archives is required prior to copies being made and a copyright declaration form must also be completed.

• Self service photography may be allowed on request to copy limited portions of certain documents only for the purpose of private research and study.

• Some collections have access and copying restrictions.

Facilities

• Power sockets for laptop/tablet computers

• Wi-Fi

• Photocopying/scanning service

• Lockers for personal articles

• CCTV is in operation