Limerick Archives is committed to careful, responsible and transparent historical research.
Articles are prepared using a range of historical sources, including books, newspapers, official reports, census records, directories, archives, photographs, maps, parliamentary records, local authority documents, memoirs, oral testimony and other relevant material.
Source Selection
Preference is given to reliable, traceable and historically relevant sources. Where possible, original records and contemporary accounts are used alongside later historical studies.
No single source is treated as automatically complete or infallible. Historical evidence may contain errors, bias, omissions or conflicting accounts, particularly in newspaper reports, memoirs and personal recollections.
Verification
Names, dates, locations and events are checked against more than one source whenever possible. Where evidence remains uncertain, the wording of the article may reflect that uncertainty.
Unverified claims, unsupported quotations and invented details are not knowingly included.
Newspaper-Style Stories
Some articles are written in the style of contemporary newspaper reports to give readers a stronger sense of immediacy. These stories are historical reconstructions rather than reproductions of original newspaper articles.
The language and presentation may recreate the atmosphere of the period, but the central events, people and circumstances must remain grounded in documented evidence.
Historical Interpretation
History often involves interpretation. Different sources may describe the same event from opposing political, religious, social or personal viewpoints.
Limerick Archives aims to present historical context fairly and to distinguish documented facts from interpretation, recollection or disputed claims.
Photographs and Captions
Photographs are described using the best information available. Where names, dates or locations are uncertain, this will be stated where appropriate.
Readers are encouraged to provide corrections or additional information supported by evidence.
Corrections
If reliable new evidence shows that published information is incorrect or incomplete, the article may be corrected or updated.
Commitment
The purpose of Limerick Archives is not to promote a political party, religious organisation or ideological position. Its purpose is to preserve, investigate and share the history of Limerick and Ireland between 1900 and 2000 as accurately and accessibly as possible.
