The Irish Qualitative Data Archive (IQDA) was established in 2008 with initial funding for three years under the fourth cycle of the Irish Government’s Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI4). IQDA aims to become the central access point for Irish qualitative social science data, including interviews, pictures and other non-numerical material. We have established protocols to ensure that newly generated qualitative data are documented and stored in ways that facilitate sharing and re-use through online access. Currently we are developing our digital infrastructure, piloting a number of initial collections and building a catalogue of Irish qualitative research. The catalogue has already begun the process of mapping potentially available data, and on the basis of that survey we provide an overview of the kinds of qualitative data that could be archived in Ireland. This paper also reports on: the funding situation for social science research and policies in relation to archiving, IQDA’s role in national social science research, our progress to date and the potential obstacles to and benefits of qualitative archiving in Ireland. Information about the archive can be found at www.iqda.ie