How and when were the files created?
Just like the Brigade Activity Reports, the nominal roll series was compiled in the mid-1930s to assist the Referee and Advisory Committee in assessing individual pension claims under the Military Service Pensions Act (1934). The Irish Republican Army (IRA) operated clandestinely and maintained limited formal records. At the request of the Referee, committees of senior local officers were established ('Brigade Committees') to collect membership and organisational information, thereby supporting fair and efficient evaluation of individual claims.

The series encompasses the Irish Volunteers and IRA (series RO), Cumann na mBan (series CMB), and Na Fianna Éireann (series FE). It records membership listings and organisational strength as of 11 July 1921 (the Truce and here, symbolically the end of War of Independence) and 1 July 1922 (taken for this purpose as the start of the Civil War). These dates also correspond to the Military Service Pensions schedule used by the Referee to certify service by defined “periods”: 11 July 1921 marks the end of Period 7, while 1 July 1922 marks the beginning of Period 9.

The series comprises approximately 600 files for the IRA (this includes material on the Hibernian Rifles and the Irish Citizen Army), 165 for Cumann na mBan, and 41 for Fianna Éireann.

The IRA records are the most extensive, documenting membership across all organisational levels: from companies and battalions to brigades, flying columns, specialist units, and General Headquarters (GHQ). In total, they cover 16 divisions and 87 brigades (including the Scottish Brigade), as well as separate files relating to GHQ leadership and command structures from 1919 onward.

A brief description of the organisations concerned: HERE

What is in the files?
Information recorded varies greatly from one file to another, it is not standardised and listings can be either quite complete or rather minimal. Some are typed, others are handwritten.
By and large, records would show: name, address, rank and appointment, with on occasion, some additional information, recorded against the name.
Only some of the individuals listed applied for a military pension or a Service (1917-1921) Medal.

What should I know before using the new search?

Note on files: Despite the genuine efforts of the Brigade Committees in 1935, it should be noted that these files cannot be regarded as complete, fully accurate, or comprehensive.
Files do not include National Army (1922-1923) membership.
Note on transcription: Handwritten and typed materials have been transcribed faithfully as they appear in the original documents, and no editorial corrections have been made. Consequently, any spelling or other errors present in the source material have been retained in the digital record.
Note on search and results: Search fields may be used individually or in combination. Generally 'Name' and 'Location' would be used together to avoid large results. It should be noted that individuals may appear multiple times within the records, for example where they transferred between companies or units. Likewise, individuals active across both periods of service (1921 and 1922) may be recorded twice in the results.

Want to see the full files in their original arrangement through our main collection search?
Other material can also be found in the files and might not be retrieved through the new name search.
You can still do that! Search and look at the series from our central MSPC database, under Organisations and Membership and search by County, Title, or even free word search: HERE 

Want to know more about these archives? Find more information in our blog posts:
Nominal Rolls: research snapshot

The re-catalogued nominal rolls: new insights