Evelyn O'Rourke

Arts and Media Correspondent

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 • 28 Dec 25

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 • 27 Dec 25

The Space Shuttle Atlantis approaches the runway 20 November at Kennedy Space Center in Florida

5 things we learned from the State Papers

It's day one of four of the annual State Papers releases, so here are five things we've learned so far.

Ireland • 27 Dec 25

Steve Coogan as Mick McCarthy and Éanna Hardwicke as Roy Keane in Saipan

Saipan: Epic bust-up brings it all back home in cinemas

Saipan hits Irish cinema screens this week, and the film revisits one of the biggest controversies in Irish sporting history.

Movies • 29 Dec 25

US President Bill Clinton (R) shares a light-hearted moment with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams during a reception at Queen's University in Belfast on November 30, 1995. President Clinton is the first US President to visit Northern Ireland. (Photo by Luke F

White House averse to Clinton-Adams Belfast photograph

White House officials were reluctant for then US president Bill Clinton to be photographed shaking hands with Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams during a key cross-party event in Belfast when he visited in winter 1995.

State Papers • 28 Dec 25

Fears around impact of UK ID cards on Irish citizens

Irish officials privately believed British government plans to introduce national ID cards in 2005 could lead to discrimination against Irish citizens in Northern Ireland and the UK.

State Papers • 28 Dec 25

UK officials believed Storey behind Northern Bank raid

Senior republican Bobby Storey has been named in newly released State Papers as being the man senior British officials believed was behind the December 2004 £26.5m Northern bank robbery.

State Papers • 28 Dec 25

NASA wanted to use Shannon as emergency landing zone

Shannon Airport has had many eye-catching visitors over the years. But the prospect of a NASA space shuttle hurtling towards it in a potential crash landing scenario understandably surprised even the most world-weary of officials.

State Papers • 28 Dec 25

Boyzone on stage at The Point during the Smash Hits concert, 27/11/1995 (Part of the Independent Newspapers Ireland/NLI Collection).. (Photo by Independent News and Media/Getty Images)

Pop, VIPs, abdication, unity - other State Paper stories

Some other stories from the State Papers include concerns over concert safety, Irish files about the abdication of King Edward VIII, VIP disruption at Dublin Airport, CSO relocation to Cork, a UN future for Northern Ireland, outsourcing cervical smear tests and British attitudes to Irish Unity

Ireland • 28 Dec 25

Raw revelations within royal family in 1995 State Papers

The now King of England Prince Charles's visit to Ireland in May 1995 was widely acknowledged to have been an important sign of the warming relations between Ireland and England during the peace process in Northern Ireland.

State Papers • 27 Dec 25