He says it's the "exemplar" of how local history should be archived.
Records in midlands dating back to early medieval times has been officially unveiled.
Heritage Minister Malcolm Noonan has opened the new home of Offaly Archives in Axis Business Park in Tullamore.
It houses a range of local records from county homes to schools and landed estates and much more.
Minister Noonan says Offaly is setting the bar when it comes to protecting hugely important historical archives:
"Offaly Archives is the exemplar of how smaller councils and smaller counties can put together a really good facility that makes the archives publicly publicly accessible, conserves them, and saves them for future generations. The support of the Heritage Council and their grants programme as been pivotal to that too. So, it's really an amazing project."
Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, Viriginia Teehan says we cannot underestimate just how important archiving local records and documents is:
"The archives are the permanent records of the lives of the county and adjoining counties, but collectively our society.
If we lose them, we lose that past and we lose our stories. All of us have our stories and some very sad stories are highlighted this week, about the people whose families were displaced through adoption. The truth around those stories are in the records.
It's a great testimony and we must congratulate Offaly History, Offaly County Council, the LEADER group, local contributors, those who funded this project - they've all made it happen.
They're a great example of citizens and communities coming together to protect heritage."
Heritage Minister @noonan_malcolm in Tullamore today for the official launch of Offaly Archives.
— Ellen Butler (@LN_but) November 18, 2021
Described as a vitally important resource - contains records from present day right back to early medieval times.
More on @Midlands103 📻 pic.twitter.com/4LuUwtPfeg
You can find more at offalyarchives.com.
Community Mourns Mary Holt As Colleagues Lead Funeral Procession In Edenderry
Calls Grow For 24 Hour Garda Station In Edenderry After Arson Attack
Appeal Date Set For Jozef Puska Over Murder Of Ashling Murphy
Offaly Town Demands Meeting With Garda Commissioner And Justice Minister
Ireland’s First Kidney Pancreas Transplant Recipient Dies Aged 68
Quality Of Life To Drive Offaly’s Appeal For Foreign Investment - Anna Marie Delaney
Hundreds Of Mourners Gather For Tadgh Farrell's Funeral
Dancing With The Stars ‘A Once In A Lifetime Opportunity’ - Rose Of Tralee
Uisce Éireann To Submit €6b Water Project Plan
Pedestrian Killed In Midlands Crash
Gardai Arrest Four Men Over Laois Prison Assault
Maura Higgins Set For Traitors US
Man Taken To Hospital Following Alleged Westmeath Assault
Osteoarthritis Programme Launched At Midlands Hospital
Laois County Fire And Rescue Service Welcomes Two New Fire Appliances
Offaly TD Welcomes New IDA Ireland Investment
Gardai Conduct House Searches In Connection With Offaly Arson Attack
Funeral For Offaly Arson Attack Victim To Be Held Today
Emergency Services At Scene Of Offaly Crash