Evelyn O'Rourke

Arts and Media Correspondent

Divorce referendum and pandas feature prominently in today's State Papers

5 things we learned from Day 2 of the State Papers

Here are five things we learned from Day 2 of this year's State Papers.

State Papers • 1 hr

Chinese panda's Dublin trip may have led to its death

Chinese officials suggested that a trip by a giant panda to Dublin Zoo may have contributed to its death, according to a new file released under the State Papers.

State Papers • 1 hr

The November 1995 divorce referendum was passed by the slimmest of margins

How to explain the 1995 divorce referendum to Vatican?

Ireland's ambassador to the Holy See was given a specific briefing on how to explain the reasons for the 1995 divorce referendum to the Vatican.

State Papers • 6 hrs

Mobile telephone, phone. (Photo by Jeff Overs/BBC News & Current Affairs via Getty Images)

Telecom companies opposed govt plan to shut down networks

Government plans to temporarily block mobile phone networks to prevent a bomb being set off in Northern Ireland by a call or text message in the Republic were opposed by some telecom companies due to the impact on customers and potential technology costs involved.

State Papers • 1 hr

Republicans tried to create 'no-go' areas for Protestants

Republicans in rural parts of Northern Ireland tried to create "no-go" areas for Protestants, according to new files released to the National Archive as part of the State Papers.

Ireland • 1 hr

His Excellency Mr Zvi Gabay Ambassador of Israel at Aras an Uachtarain presenting his Letter of Creedence to President Mary Robinson, 22/07/1994 (Part of the Independent Newspapers Ireland/NLI Collection).

1995 Jewish cemetery attack caused govt serious concern

International coverage of an attack on a Jewish cemetery in Co Limerick, where a blue swastika was painted on a gate, was a matter of serious concern for the government in September 1995, new State Papers reveal.

State Papers • 6 hrs

President George W. Bush speaking to Canada's Prime Minister Jean Chretien, one of several world leaders he spoke to before telling the nation of air strikes against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. (Photo by Eric Draper/Greg Mathieson/Mai/Getty Images

Concern for NI peace process after 9/11 attacks

How US politicians viewed the Northern Ireland peace process following the September 11 attacks in 2001 was a matter of concern for Irish officials, according to a new file released under the State Papers.

State Papers • 4 hrs

Kelly described as dominant IRA figure in 1996 garda note

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly was described as "the most dominant figure" within the Provisional IRA's strategy in a 1996 garda briefing note made public for the first time today.

Ireland • 17 hrs