Catalogue description Home Office: Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC Symbol Series) Files

The papers are arranged in numerical order by departmental file number.

In 1867, in recognition of its loyalty during the Fenian risings, the Irish Constabulary was re-named the Royal Irish Constabulary. An Auxiliary Force was recruited in 1881-82.

During the fighting in Ireland between 1919 and 1921 the RIC bore the brunt of the losses among Crown forces and there were widespread resignations. From December 1919 British ex-servicemen, both British and Irish, known as"Black and Tans" were recruited directly into the force as temporary constables. Ex-British Army officers were recruited into a temporary Auxiliary Division, inaugurated in late July 1920. Both groups functioned independently of the police command structure.

In 1922 the Royal Irish Constabulary was disbanded and its members were pensioned off. Arrangements were made for the administration of pensions by the Paymaster General's Office under the directions of the Colonial Office until April 1923 and thereafter of the Home Office. The Irish Free State established its own police force with which the Dublin Metropolitan Police was amalgamated in 1925. The Royal Ulster Constabulary was formed to police Northern Ireland.

Other records of the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police are held by the National Archives of Ireland in Dublin.