Ireland’s National Centre for Research and Remembrance is moving forward under a dedicated steering group bringing together survivor representatives, Government departments, cultural institutions and local community voices. The initiative is intended to support research, remembrance and meaningful engagement with people affected by Ireland’s institutional history.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality publication, first issued on 25 July 2023 and updated on 27 October 2026, sets out the group’s membership, meeting records and developing areas of work.
National Centre Steering Group leads development
The steering group is chaired by Martin Fraser, Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, who was nominated by Government. Its membership includes survivor members Anne Harris Hennon, Carmel McDonnell-Byrne and Katie Doyle, alongside Patricia Carey, Special Advocate for Survivors.
Officials and representatives from several bodies are also involved, including the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, the Department of Education and Youth, and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
Other participating organisations include the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Office of Public Works, the National Museum of Ireland, the National Archives of Ireland, Dublin City Council and the North East Inner City initiative.
Why survivor and community involvement matters
The publication identifies engagement with survivors, affected people, their families and representatives as a central part of the Centre’s development. Consultation will also involve the local community in Dublin’s North East Inner City, where the proposed national facility is being developed.
This approach is designed to ensure that decisions about research, remembrance, location and public interpretation reflect the experiences of those most directly connected to the subject.
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Work streams cover archives, construction and legislation
Three initial work streams are identified in the publication:
- Archives: examining records, preservation and access to historical material.
- Construction and site development: considering the practical and architectural requirements of the Centre.
- Legislative issues: addressing legal and policy matters connected with its establishment and operation.
The involvement of the Office of Public Works, National Archives of Ireland, National Museum of Ireland and relevant Government departments reflects the project’s broad administrative, cultural and technical requirements.
Steering group minutes provide a public record
Minutes published by gov.ie document meetings dating from April 2022 through May 2026. The records provide a timeline of the group’s work and show the continuing development of the National Centre for Research and Remembrance.
Public access to these documents supports transparency and allows survivors, researchers, community organisations and interested members of the public to follow the project’s progress.
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What happens next?
The next stages will depend on continued consultation, coordination between public bodies and progress across the three work streams. The Department of Children, Disability and Equality has indicated that engagement with survivors and the North East Inner City community will remain crucial to shaping the Centre.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
Key takeaway
The National Centre Steering Group brings together survivor voices, Government expertise, heritage organisations and local representatives. Its work on archives, site development and legislation, supported by ongoing consultation, will help shape how Ireland researches and remembers this important history.