In the 1950s British newspapers made a concerted effort to increase their circulation in the Irish state. Using records held at the National Archives of Ireland this article examines the key political, social and cultural issues that emerged as the newspapers were scrutinised by government and lay-religious bodies for what was perceived as anti-Irish and indecent content. Whereas the files reveal acute sensitivity to such content, they also illustrate very differing reactions among interest groups. While religious bodies demanded a stricter censorship regime, political actors were becoming more attuned to a changing post-war environment in which protectionism had no place.