The National Library has bought a collection of papers, relating to the finances of the years leading to the foundation of the State.

This was done with support from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for €21,780.

The previously unpublished records are from the archive of Domhnall Ua Conchubhair, an accountant to Sinn Féin and Secretary of the Gaelic League, who died in 1935.

Among the records are a series of ledgers relating to the Sinn Féin Bank Limited, including a list of some 1,000 shareholders and subscribers, beginning with Arthur Griffith who subscribed 17/6d, in addition to his entrance fee of 2/6d.

Material relating to the bank's liquidation in 1928-29 is also among the archive, with lists of depositors and creditors included.

Records relating to the Irish National Aid and Volunteer Dependants' Fund, whose chief organiser in 1917-18 was Michael Collins, are also in the tranche - as are documents from An Cló-Chumann Ltd, a printing company established by the Gaelic League, which was wound up in 1908.

Minister Madigan has welcomed @NLIreland's acquisition of a collection of papers which shed light on the period leading to the foundation of the State 📚

Baineann na taifid le cartlann Dhomhnaill Ua Conchubhair, cuntasóir a bhí ag Sinn Féin & Rúnaí @CnaGhttps://t.co/OFhCL8w7aB pic.twitter.com/dfvd03oPDj

— Tourism-Culture-Arts-Gaeltacht-Sport-Media (@DeptCulturelRL) June 20, 2019

The Government says these papers come to light as a new and important source of information on the financing of the struggle for independence and the foundation of the State.

Culture Minister Josepha Madigan says: "I am delighted that my department was able to support the National Library in adding these important documents to the national collections.

"There is much to be studied in them and will be of great interest to historians and the public alike, greatly adding to our understanding of the financing of the struggle for Independence and the foundation of the State."

The National Library will begin work on cataloguing and digitising the papers.