28 February to 18 March 2025

Ulster Historical Foundation is pleased to announce that Gillian Hunt (Research Officer) and Fintan Mullan (Executive Director) will be returning to the United States for a genealogical lecture tour programme – their first visit since 2023!

The itinerary for this US lecture tour will run from Friday 28 February to Tuesday 18 March 2025

Lecture programmes, full days and half days will be offered.

In addition, at a number of locations individuals will be able to register for a one-to-one personal research consultation with either member of the Foundation’s team where they can benefit from our knowledge and experience to help overcome ‘brick walls’ or advance their Irish and Scots-Irish roots.

We hope we might meet you at one of these events, and would be pleased if you would share any relevant location to friends and genealogy buddies who might be interested.

Tour Schedule

• Friday 28 February – Oakland, CA (consultations),
• Saturday 01 March – Oakland, CA
• Sunday 02 March – Seattle, WA
• Tuesday 04 March – Pittsburgh, PA
• Wednesday 05 March – Pittsburgh, PA (consultations)
• Thursday 06 March – Phoenix, AZ
• Friday 07 March – Phoenix, AZ
• Saturday 08 March – Atlanta, GA
• Sunday 09 March – Green Bay, WI (consultations)
• Monday 10 March – Green Bay, WI
• Tuesday 11 March – Minneapolis, MN
• Wednesday 12 March – Minneapolis, MN (consultations)
• Thursday 13 March – Chicago, IL
• Friday 14 March – Bentonville, AR (consultations)
• Friday 14 March – Bentonville, AR
• Saturday 15 March – Dallas, TX
• Sunday 16 March – Dallas, TX (consultations)
• Monday 17 March – Bolingbrook, IL (consultations)
• Tuesday 18 March – Bolingbrook, IL

Having sold out its original print run, Ulster Historical Foundation is delighted to announce that the Townland Atlas of Ulster is being reprinted!

Thanks to incredible enthusiasm and unprecedented demand, the first print run sold out in just 6 weeks. To ensure everyone who missed out has a chance to own this remarkable publication, Ulster Historical Foundation is now taking pre-orders on the  bookstore.

The Townland Atlas of Ulster is an essential reference guide for both newcomer and serious researcher, showing exact locations and where to look for related records. By using the maps and indexes, family and local historians can easily grasp the essentials of our ancestors’ lives – where they worked, paid their rent, went to church and market, etc.

Don’t miss this second chance to own your own copy of this invaluable research guide

Expected release date – April 2025

Click here for more information 

Read what others are saying about the Townland Atlas of Ulster

Today, as Ireland becomes increasingly urbanised and new housing estates proliferate, authentic townland names are in danger of disappearing. A wonderful book such as this is, therefore,
invaluable in maintaining a record of a rich shared heritage and a culture, north and south, that speaks to everyone.
Prof. Terence Dooley, Maynooth University Department of History

To have mapped and provided such comprehensive detail for each of Ulster’s 16,000 townlands is an achievement that will stand the test of time. It (the Townland Atlas of Ulster) will or should become a standard reference book for those people tracing their Ulster roots. I now know that if I’m seeking a visual representation of townlands, parishes and estates in a particular area I will be straight to your maps; and if seeking, for a particular townland, details of church registers (CoI and RC) and 17th and 19th century landlords my first port of call will be the Index of Townlands.
Brian Mitchell, Derry Genealogy

I received the Townland Atlas of Ulster this morning and am delighted with it. The quality of the book is exceptional and the content fascinating. As someone who is fascinated by maps, and loves
the townlands where I grew up in County Down, it unexpectedly made me feel quite emotional to see them memorialised so beautifully. It will certainly be a big help to my research, especially as I
pursue DNA matches who relate to my unknown great grandfather in County Antrim, territory unfamiliar to me. I just wanted to congratulate everyone on its production and of course particular
thanks go to Andrew Kane.

Lyn from Encinitas

The beautiful atlas has arrived. It is a magnificent publication.
Ann from Canberra

I received my pre-ordered copy today and must say it’s an incredible piece of work to have. A great reference book.
Well done to all involved !!!
Paddy from Gweedore

A magnificent achievement – I look forward to delving into the vast array of resources beautifully arranged and presented.
Larry from Maynooth

My copy of the Townland Atlas of Ulster arrived safely yesterday. To say that I am thrilled with it is an understatement. It’s a wonderful book with superb production values, packed with information. I probably will not get much work done this weekend as I explore it in more detail.
Angela from Dublin

Townland Atlas of Ulster -Book Launch Video

The book launch of Townland Atlas of Ulster that was held at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) on 05 December is now available to watch on YouTube. Click the video below to hear from author Andrew Kane, and popular local television presenter and programme maker Joe Mahon as they discuss the value and significance of Ulster’s Townlands.

Click here to watch

We are delighted to announce the publication of our latest issue of ‘Irish Genealogy Matters’, in which we keep our readers abreast of all of the latest developments in the Irish Family History Foundation and new records online! Click on the image above to read the newsletter in full. We hope you enjoy!

Discover Your Irish Roots in 2025!

Are you wishing to find out more about your Irish ancestors? Have you been thinking of what to do or where to go for your 2025 Summer holiday?

Unlock your family story with one of Ulster Historical Foundation’s 2025 research programmes!

With their research-focused format and limited capacity, you’ll enjoy dedicated support from expert researchers to delve even deeper into your Irish and Scots-Irish heritage.

From now until 14 February register for one of these programmes with just a £100 deposit! (normally £200).*

The Foundation staff have also looked at ways to improve upon the previous programmes (taking on board the recommendations and suggestions of previous delegates) and hope that the programmes devised for 2025 will better improve your research experience and visit to Ireland.

Reserve your place today and start planning a trip back to the archives to find your elusive Irish and Scots-Irish Ancestors!
*Note: Deposit is non-refundable

22nd June – 25th June 2025

This research programme gives you the chance to spend three days researching in the archives – being guided and supported by our team of researchers each day. It is the ideal programme to compliment a longer holiday or research trip that you might already have planned.

Register now with just a £100 deposit! (full price £649.99).

Click here to register

31st August – 05th September 2025

This enhanced research programme gives you the chance to spend a whole week researching in the archives – being guided and supported by our team of researchers each day. It offers you a great
opportunity to break down any genealogical brick walls and unlock your family history. Register now with just a £100 deposit! (full price £949.99).
Click here to register

26th October – 29th October 2025

This research programme gives you the chance to spend three days researching in the archives – being guided and supported by our team of researchers each day. It is the ideal programme to compliment a longer holiday or research trip that you might already have planned.

Register now with just a £100 deposit! (full price £649.99).

Click here to register

Want to find out more – speak to us directly?

Why not join Ulster Historical Foundation on Friday 31 January, 2025 to listen to and speak directly with the team delivering the different Research Programmes.

This event will include a free seminar on researching your ancestors using the archives of the Public Record Office Northern Ireland (PRONI), plus a chance to ask practical questions to help you plan your visit to Belfast (accommodation, travel advice, location advise, local transport, etc)

• Learn more about the resources and holdings of PRONI
• Find out more about Ulster Historical Foundation’s 2025 Research Programmes

Event Details

• Date: 31 January, 2025
• Time: 16:00 (UK Time)
• Location: Online Zoom Seminar
• Registration: The event is free to attend but registration is essential

Click here to register

The Townland Atlas of Ulster is now available and can be purchased online from www.ulsterhistoricalfoundation.com

The Townland Atlas of Ulster offers an invaluable guide to the newcomer to the townland system as well as opening up the world of seventeenth-century records to the serious researcher.  Although representing a snapshot in time, it is a dynamic snapshot – of relevance to the last 400 years of our history and society.

This publication maps all 16,000+ townlands in the nine counties of Ulster (Antrim, Armagh, Cavan, Derry/Londonderry, Donegal, Down, Fermanagh, Monaghan and Tyrone),and the administrative units of church and state into which they have been organised.

In an attractive and easily understood layout, these units are shown in the context of land ownership in the 17th century, a pattern clearly recognisable until a century ago when the Land Purchase Acts broke up the estates and facilitated tenant farmers buying their own land. By using the maps and index, family and local historians can easily grasp the essentials of our ancestors’ lives – where they worked, paid their rent, went to church and market, etc.

With detailed maps, fascinating insights, and meticulous research, this beautifully crafted book is the perfect companion for anyone passionate about their Irish family history and an ideal gift for friends and family this Christmas season.

Click here for more information 

Register for an Online Genealogy Course Today!

Take the time this winter to further explore your family history, gain a better understanding of the archives and genealogical sources in Ireland and find your elusive Irish and Scots-Irish ancestors.

Ulster Historical Foundation’s upcoming online Irish Genealogy Essentials course offers everything you will need to know about specific aspects and topics in Irish genealogy and will provide you with the tools and information needed to further explore your Irish family
history.

New for 2024-25

• All lectures have been re-recorded and updated for the 2024-25 essentials
  course!
• Get the chance to sit down and have a one-to-one virtual consultation* with one of Ulster Historical Foundation’s genealogists.* During the consultation you will receive personal research advice and guidance from an experienced member of our dedicated team who will use their knowledge and archival experience to help solve your family tree puzzle.
• Interactive digital “workshop” session, demonstrating the practical use of online resources

* Note: the personal consultations will be scheduled once the course has concluded.

What to expect?

• Explore Your Roots from Anywhere: The beauty of this online course is that it can be accessed from the comfort of your home, regardless of where you are in the world. No need to travel or make time-consuming visits to archives and libraries; we bring Ireland’s history and your ancestors to your fingertips.
•  Learn from the Experts: Irish Genealogy Essentials is led by seasoned genealogists and researchers who have the knowledge and expertise to break down any brick walls you may have encountered and assist you in your family history research.
•  Comprehensive Programme: This course consists of over 20 pre-recorded lectures (over 28 hours of content) on essential topics relating to Irish genealogical research. Topics include: Irish land divisions; Church Records; Landed estate papers; Census substitutes; and much more.
• Interactive Discussions: Engage in lively discussions and ask questions to the course lecturers during the different Q and A sessions that will be scheduled during the programme. Connect with a like-minded community, ask questions, and learn from one another.
• Practical Skills: This course doesn’t just give you information; it equips you with practical skills. You’ll learn how to critically analyze sources, and discover how to navigate the challenges of Irish family history research
• Take the First Step: Don’t let the complexity of Irish genealogy deter you. Register today and gain the knowledge and confidence you need to tackle your research projects effectively.
• Cost: Priced at £374.99 this Irish Genealogy Essentials online course takes all the key components of Ulster Historical Foundations normal in-person courses and makes them available digitally
• Course Dates: 17 November 2024 – 31 January 2025

Click here to register