About Meath County Archive
Meath County Archive holds the records of local government including the County Council and its predecessor bodies, as well as private papers and manuscript material relating to the history of the county.
We provide access to records in a supervised reading room based in Navan Library. Please note that some collections are not available to researchers as they have not yet been catalogued, require conservation or contain personal information about individuals.
We encourage anyone interested in consulting records to make an appointment by emailing navanlib@meathcoco.ie.
Donations and Deposits
We welcome donations and deposits of archival material relating to Meath, subject to appraisal. If you have records of historical interest to Meath, please contact archive@meathcoco.ie.
Our Collections
Meath County Archive is currently developing an online catalogue, and when it is available it will be accessible via a link from this page.
Some of our most prominent collections which are available include;
Board of Guardians
The Poor Law Act was introduced in 1838 in Ireland to provide institutional care for the destitute through its network of workhouses. It diversified so much in the course of the 19th century that it provided the foundation for the new local authorities established in 1898. The poor law system was gradually dismantled, and eventually abolished in 1923.
School Records
This collection consists of a range of school registers and roll books relating to different primary schools across Meath. Some schools listed include but are not limited to; Ashbourne, Baltrasna, Bohermeen, Castletown Kilpatrick, Creewood, Dunboyne, Donacarney, Edengully, Fletcherstown, Gilson Endowed Oldcastle National School, Gortloney, Heronstown, Kentstown, Kilbeg, Knockcommon, Loughcrew, Newtown, Oldcastle Scoil Mhuire Navan, Scoil Ultain Naofa, St. Bride’s St Anne’s Loreto and Rathkenny.
Many of these records are still being listed or are closed for GDPR purposes, but some older records are available for genealogy purposes.
Clayton Woollen Mills
This is a project funded by Creative Ireland. From 1867 they produced rugs, tweeds, and blankets. It employed over 250 people and was powered by water and later a ship's engine.
The extensive archives of Clayton Mills Ltd. preserve the stories of skilled technicians, loom tuners, weavers, warp winders, and dye specialists, as well as those related to national and international trade. These documents provide invaluable insights into Ireland's industrial heritage.