{"id":5165,"date":"2026-11-09T14:38:17","date_gmt":"2026-11-09T13:38:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightside-travel.com\/guides\/retrouver-ses-origines-irlandaises\/"},"modified":"2026-11-09T15:29:44","modified_gmt":"2026-11-09T14:29:44","slug":"find-your-irish-roots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brightside-travel.com\/en\/guides\/find-your-irish-roots\/","title":{"rendered":"Find Your Irish Roots: A Guide to Tracing Your Ancestors in Ireland"},"content":{"rendered":"

A name in O'\u2019<\/strong> or in Mac<\/strong>, a great-grandfather who left Cobh for America, a family that celebrates St. Patrick's Day with fervor? Rediscovering one's Irish roots<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fancy following in the footsteps of your Irish ancestors?<\/strong> Our local French-speaking team designs your tailor-made trip to Ireland<\/a>, from Dublin to your family's village.<\/div>
Get my free quote<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why are so many families trying to trace their Irish roots?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Prepare your research to find his Irish origins<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gather what the family knows<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consult the free online registers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, several major resources are freely accessible:<\/p>\n\n\n\n