Find Your Irish Roots: A Guide to Tracing Your Ancestors in Ireland

A name in O'’ or in Mac, a great-grandfather who left Cobh for America, a family that celebrates St. Patrick's Day with fervor? Rediscovering one's Irish roots This is an emotionally charged journey: you trace your family history, then discover the county, the parish, and sometimes even the farm of your ancestors. Based in the UK and Ireland since 2012, we organize these tailor-made "roots" trips. Here's how to prepare your research and where to go once you're there.

In short: To trace your Irish roots, first gather the names, dates, and places known in your family. Then consult free online records: irishgenealogy.ie for civil registration and the 1901 and 1911 censuses from the National Archives. While there, visit EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin, the Irish Family History Centre, and then the county and parish of your ancestors. Allow 7 to 10 days for a complete roots journey.

Why are so many families trying to trace their Irish roots?

Ireland is one of the countries that has experienced the highest rates of emigration in the world. During the Great Famine, between 1845 and 1852, approximately one million people died and another million left the island. Emigration then continued for over a century, primarily to the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia.

UP TO YOU

What kind of traveler are you for? Rediscovering your Irish roots: the travel guide to tracing your ancestors "?

5 quick questions to see what suits you best.

Question 1 of 5

As a family, you especially like…

Move and do activitiesTake the time to discover

Question 2 of 5

On the road, you prefer…

Fewer stages and fewer journeysChange more to add variety

Question 3 of 5

What would the children choose?

Animals, nature and activitiesCastles, legends and games

Question 4 of 5

A good day is…

A busy period followed by free timeSeveral small discoveries

Question 5 of 5

Your priority?

Let everyone find something to their liking.Sharing moments all together

Today, it is estimated that more than 70 million people worldwide have Irish ancestors. This is why the country has developed museums, genealogy centers, and memorial sites dedicated to these families who left.

Step 1: Prepare your research to find his Irish origins

Gather what the family knows

First, write down everything you know: names, surnames, dates, county or parish of origin, religion, port of departure. Indeed, the most valuable piece of information is often the name of the county or parish, as many Irish surnames are very common.

Consult the free online registers

Furthermore, several major resources are freely accessible:

• irishgenealogy.ie, the official website for civil status records (births, marriages, deaths) and many parish registers; ;
• the censuses of 1901 and 1911, made available online by the National Archives of Ireland; ;
• Catholic parish registers digitized by the National Library of Ireland; ;
• For Northern Ireland, the PRONI archives in Belfast.

Note that many 19th-century censuses were destroyed in 1922. Therefore, parish registers and land records become essential for tracing history further back.

Take a DNA test

Furthermore, a readily available DNA test can confirm Irish ancestry and connect you with distant cousins, some of whom may still be living in Ireland. It's an excellent complement to family archives.

Step 2: Places to visit to reconnect with your Irish roots

EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum

In Dublin, on the banks of the Liffey, EPIC tells the story of Irish people who have emigrated around the world in a lively and interactive way. It's the perfect starting point for a journey into your roots. Right next door, the’Irish Family History Centre offers consultations with genealogists to advance your research.

The Archives and the National Library of Dublin

In addition, the National Library of Ireland offers a free genealogy advice service, and the National Archives holds many original documents. Take this opportunity to explore the capital with our guide. Visit Dublin in 3 days.

Emigration memorial sites

• Cobh, near Cork: the former Queenstown, port of departure for millions of emigrants and last stop of the Titanic; ;
• the Dunbrody Famine Ship in New Ross, replica of an emigrant ship; ;
• the National Famine Museum of Strokestown Park, in Roscommon County; ;
• l’Ulster American Folk Park near Omagh, in Northern Ireland.

The county, the parish, and the pub of your ancestors

This is often the highlight of the trip. You visit the church where your ancestors were baptized, you search for their names in the cemetery, and you discover the landscapes they left behind. Finally, why not have a pint in the village pub? The locals often know the stories of the families who left, and the welcome is always warm.

Step 3: Experience Irish culture

Reconnecting with one's roots also means reconnecting with a living culture. For example, attend a traditional music session in a pub, experience the Saint Patrick's Day in Dublin or explore the landscapes of the west, such as the Connemara, from where so many emigrants departed.

Example of an 8-day roots trip to Ireland

• Days 1 and 2: Dublin, EPIC and a visit to the Irish Family History Centre.
• Day 3: Library or National Archives, depending on your research.
• Days 4 and 5: route to your ancestral county, parish, cemetery and village pub.
• Day 6: Cobh or the Dunbrody Famine Ship, in the footsteps of the emigrants.
• Days 7 and 8: Exploring the region, then returning to Dublin.

Of course, each itinerary is built around your family history. Send us what you know: our local team will prepare a trip to the places where your ancestors lived.

Did part of your family come from Scotland? Read our guide to to rediscover his Scottish roots.

Does your name sound Scottish, Irish, or Welsh? Find out the origin of your surname and how to depart for the land of your name.

Frequently asked questions about Irish origins

How can I tell if my surname is Irish?

Generally, names beginning with O' (O'Brien, O'Connor) or Mac and Mc (MacCarthy, McGrath) are typically Irish. However, many other names, such as Murphy, Kelly, Walsh, or Ryan, are also Irish. Civil registration records can show in which counties they were most common.

Are the searches free?

For the most part, yes. Civil records, the 1901 and 1911 censuses, and Catholic parish registers are available online for free. However, consultations with a genealogist are subject to a fee.

Can the search be done in French?

The archives are in English, sometimes in Latin for older parish registers. Our French-speaking team can assist you and arrange for a genealogist to be available locally.

How much does it cost to travel to Ireland to trace one's roots?

Expect to pay from €1,500 per person for 8 days, including accommodation, car and support, excluding flights. The price depends mainly on the region of your ancestors and the planned visits.

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