The Royal Irish Constabulary

A Complete Alphabetical List of Officers and Men, 1816-1922

Jim Herlihy

Back in Print

In 1836 the four provincial constabularies of the Constabulary of Ireland were amalgamated to form the Irish Constabulary, which in September 1867 was awarded the prefix ‘Royal’  and in August 1922 the Royal Irish Constabulary was disbanded. The numbering system for each rank and file member of the RIC began in 1836  with number one being allocated to the most senior person who transferred from the provincial constabulary and who had joined on 1 August 1816. Additional numbers were added in order of seniority. This book contains a complete alphabetical list from 1 August 1816 to 31 August 1922 and represents 83,521 men. In addition, RIC men of the officer class who enlisted as cadets, numbering 635 were not allocated RIC numbers, however, their names are included in this book and they are identified by being set in italics. The names and numbers of RIC men who were promoted from the ranks, numbering 1,507 are also identified by being set in italics. This text contains chapters on how to access original RIC registers, it also discusses RIC Microfiche Index. A list of surnames, first names and service numbers is given and for officers additional details are included.

To facilitate the researcher in using the alphabetical list provided in this book, the lists of the original Registers of Service and Officers Service Registers as contained in the National Archives, Kew (HO 184 Series) are included in the introductory chapter, as are the lists of microfilm copies as contained in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Family History Centres (FHL 085 Microfilm Series); the National Archives, Dublin (MFA 24 Microfilm Series); the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, Belfast (MIC 454 Microfilm Series); the Garda Museum and Archives Series, Dublin Castle (GM/RIC Microfilm Series). This book points the way to each RIC Service Record.

Jim Herlihy, a retired member of the Garda Síochána and a co-founder of the Garda Síochána Historical Society, has worked on these sources for many years. His many publications include The Irish Revenue Police: A short history and genealogical guide to the 'Poteen Hussars' (2018) and The Royal Irish Constabulary: a short history and genealogical guide (2016) and Royal Irish Constabulary officers: a biographical dictionary and genealogical guide, 1816–1922 (2005).