InQuest is an independent research group committed to delivering premium-quality research to clients working in all areas of public life. For over two decades, the directors and researchers have provided a unique service to government departments, state agencies, media organisations, universities, corporate bodies, cultural and voluntary organisations and private individuals. Founded in 2005 by Mark Duncan and Prof. Paul Rouse, InQuest has built a reputation for excellence and quality across the spectrum of academia, media, publishing,  public affairs/public policy, and speechwriting.

InQuest has vast experience in the management of research projects, large and small, as well as in the writing of expert reports and books. Alongside confidential work for leading law firms and Government departments, InQuest has been involved with numerous high-profile and publicly acclaimed projects, among them an on-line exhibition for the National Archives on the 1901 and 1911 census returns which, in November 2014, passed the one billion hit mark; the management of the largest sports history project in the world (the GAA Oral History Project at Boston College-Ireland) – out of which were written and edited three major books, including The GAA: A People’s History; the supervision and editorial management of research for RTÉ’s various Election, Referendum and Budget Specials, as well the broadcaster’s coverage of major state events. In addition, InQuest has produced reports and written books for, amongst others, the Higher Education Authority and the Irish Research Council, which have focused on public policy and the research outputs of Irish third-level institutions across a broad range of disciplines.

From 2012 to 2023, InQuest, working in conjunction with Boston College-Ireland, was commissioned by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to research, write, publish and manage a major state commemoration project on the Irish revolutionary decade, 1912-23. A central plank of that commemoration was the Century Ireland website, which was hosted by RTÉ and involved a partnership with the national cultural institutions and third level institutions across the island of Ireland and beyond. This digital-based project won numerous awards and still available to view here.

Pictured at the launch of the Century Ireland project at Government buildings in May 2013 were (from left to right): Mark Duncan (InQuest), Prof. Mike Cronin (Boston College-Ireland), Jimmy Denihan TD (Minister for Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht), Noel Curran (Director General, RTÉ) and Dr. Paul Rouse (InQuest)

InQuest has built strong and loyal partnerships with clients from our involvement in a wide variety of projects in Ireland, Britain and America over recent years.  Our clients’ interests cross the spectrum of media, publishing, education, public service and private industry. For further details, click here.