Public Record Office of Northern Ireland
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Attending a talk or event

Translink bus PRONI opening hours sign PRONI reception sign
As well as hosting group visits, PRONI welcomes individual visitors to attend our regular talks and events programme.
Please note that we do not usually hold talks/lectures, workshops or events during the holiday period of July and August.

When?

Talks, lectures and workshops from the talks and events programme usually take place in the evening (or occasionally at lunch times).
Pre-arranged group visits can be scheduled at times convenient to PRONI staff and the group.

Where?

Talks and lectures will be delivered in the lecture room, which holds roughly 45 adults and is located on the first floor.  A service lift is available for anyone who has difficulty climbing stairs.
Tours can include the public areas in PRONI and/or behind the scenes (conservation laboratory and archive stores).

What?

Talks/lectures and workshops will cover subjects such as:
  • tracing your family history
  • doing a local history study
  • finding out about what the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) does
  • how to use the archives in PRONI (PRONI Made Easy)
  • a subject researched using PRONI’s archives
  • in-depth studies of particular types of archive and how to use them
Following the talk or event it may also be possible to include a brief tour of the public service areas so that you become familiar with the catalogues and find out how to order a document.
Events include exhibitions and open days/evenings/mornings or family history days.  A regular event for PRONI is an ‘open Saturday morning’.  This is run in conjunction with Heritage Open Day and happens in September of each year.

Who?

Speakers may either be PRONI staff or invited guest speakers.

How long?

Talks, lectures and workshops usually last for about 45-60 minutes with time for questions and answers at the end.  A full tour, including the conservation laboratory and stores usually lasts about 45-60 minutes.  Tours of the search room and self-service microfilm room usually last around 15 minutes.
Duration of events will be as published.

What happens when I arrive?

When you arrive at the reception area you and your group will be shown to the lecture room.
In case of an evacuation of the building you will be required to put your name on an attendance sheet.  The evacuation procedures will be explained.

Registration

If you want to use the research facilities at PRONI following the talk or event or at some time in the future, you must register as a visitor.  You will need photographic ID to register.  Registered visitors receive a visitor pass and a unique visitor number.  You may register when you first arrive or do so after the talk or event.  You will also need to sign the visitors’ book at reception.  Visitor passes must be worn and be visible while on the premises.
If an entire group (or a large number of the group) want to register as visitors then we can send out registration forms prior to your visit – please contact ELO staff in advance.  Registration forms should be completed before you arrive - this will greatly speed up the process at reception.

Security – dos and don'ts

  • All visitors are asked to place their belongings (other than pencils and notebooks) in a locker.
  • You must refrain from using mobile phones or digital cameras whilst on the premises.
  • Eating or drinking (other than in the PRONI canteen) is forbidden (except for medication required for emergency use).
  • We urge you to treat the irreplaceable archives in our custody with extreme care.
For further details, see dos and dont's.

Parking

Parking space at PRONI is limited.  We recommend that you do not park on Balmoral Avenue as it is a major through route and is also a ‘clearway’ early morning and late afternoon.
There is free parking in the avenues off Balmoral Avenue, however you are asked to respect local residents who need to get in and out of their driveways.
For an evening talk or event, parking in the PRONI carpark is not usually a problem.
Groups arriving by coach or minibus should inform ELO staff in advance.

Booking in advance

For the talks and events programme, you will need to book in advance by contacting ELO staff - groups should book as early as possible as places may be limited. Groups wishing to organise a talk or tour specifically for themselves should book 3 – 6 months in advance.

What information does PRONI require in advance?

Groups should read information required in advance for bringing a group.  Individuals should contact ELO staff, leaving the following information:
  • A contact telephone number or e-mail address in case of a cancellation.
  • We will need to know if you have a disability or have any special needs.
  • Whether you intend to do some research as well as attend a talk or event.

Contacting ELO staff

If you wish to bring a group to PRONI, please contact PRONI in advance referring to/marking correspondence for the attention of the Education, Learning and Outreach (ELO) section.
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