Register for one of Ulster Historical Foundation’s family history research programmes or conferences before 16th December and be automatically included in a prize draw for the chance to win the Christmas “Golden Ticket”.

The “Golden Ticket” will offer one lucky winner the chance to participate in one of the Ulster Historical Foundation’s 2020 family history research programmes for just the price of their deposit.*

The “Golden Ticket” might just be YOUR ticket to Ireland in 2020.

Click here for more information

*Terms and conditions apply

Learn more about your Irish and Scots-Irish Ancestors in 2020

Learn about the lives and experiences of your ancestors first-hand, researching in the different archives of Belfast and Dublin alongside a dedicated team of professional researchers and visiting important historical sites and visitor attractions across the Island of Ireland. Visit the land of your ancestors and make 2020 the year of discovery.

The Ulster Historical Foundation will be hosting a number of family history tours, conferences and research programmes in 2020 which will suit all tastes and levels of experience. Whether you want to find out more about that long lost ancestor or explore the land they called home, an Ulster Historical Foundation programme may be exactly what you are looking for!

Tracing your Irish Ancestors: Family History Conference, 10 – 17 June 2020

Assisted personal research, talks, tours and sightseeing are all part of the eclectic, friendly and fun mix of Tracing Your Irish Ancestors.

Tracing Your Irish Ancestors 2020 will see you look out onto the North Atlantic Ocean from the stones of the Giant’s Causeway; discover how men and women like your ancestors influenced and shaped much of the modern world at EPIC Ireland; stand in one of Dublin City’s most important historical monuments and learn about the tumultuous history of Ireland at the turn of 20^th century at the GPO Witness History Museum; explore Derry~Londonderry, one of the finest examples of a walled city in Europe; walk in the footsteps of Ireland’s patron saint and journey through beautiful County Down visiting the oldest inhabited castle in Ireland at Killyleagh and Hillsborough Castle — the official Northern Ireland palace of the Royal Family.

Crucially for the research enthusiast, all your time can alternatively be spent researching in the archives of Belfast and Dublin with the Foundation’s team of researchers (or a mix of the two).

Click here for more information

Irish Family History Experience: Introduction to Irish Genealogy, 07 – 12 September 2020

Irish Family History Experience will appeal to the budding family history researcher wishing to make the first step towards research success as well as the dedicated family historian wishing to break down those genealogical brick walls.

The week will begin in the classroom with our genealogists and will see you learn how to get to grips with research techniques, archives and genealogical sources in Ireland; providing you with the information and skills to further explore your family history during the course and after.

Following the classroom portion of the programme delegates will have a choice of assisted research in the archives with our team of experienced genealogists or excursions to places of historic interest including; Barons Court, the magnificent seat of the Duke of Abercorn; Kilmainham Gaol, one of Dublin City’s most important monuments and visitor attractions; the natural wonder that is the Giant’s Causeway as well as touring the walled city of Derry~Londonderry

In just six days Irish Family History Experience will give you the skills and experience to further explore your family history and help you find your Irish and Scots-Irish ancestors.

Click here for more information

Researching your Irish Ancestors: Assisted Research Programme, 05 – 09 October 2020

This enhanced research programme offers you the chance to spend a week focussing on your family history research. You will spend each day of the programme researching in the various archives of Belfast and Dublin, guided and supported by our team of researchers. As the team of Ulster Historical Foundation know the archives and how to mine the information for your family tree, working closely with our researchers will greatly improve your experience in the archives as well as increasing your chances of success.

Researching your Irish Ancestors presents a great opportunity to break down any genealogical brick walls and unlock your family history.

Click here for more information

For over 30 years Ulster Historical Foundation’s family history tours, conferences and research programmes have been all about helping you trace your roots and find deeper connections with the land of your ancestors. Register today for a rewarding and enjoyable experience that you will never forget.

Get a 12-month subscription to Roots Ireland at 25% off from 22nd November to 9th December.

To obtain this offer just go to the following link and login using your existing RootsIreland login details: http://www.rootsireland.ie. If you currently have a subscription, click My Account, My Subscription and Start a New Subscription. The special deal subscription will then begin once your current subscription runs out.

Why take out a subscription with RootsIreland?

• RootsIreland have the most complete and most accurate set of Roman Catholic church records online. Our index is easily searchable and has features such as standardised surname and forename searches which make your searches even more user-friendly.
• We hold over 22 million records which is being added to continually. In 2019, we have added to our database almost 220,000 records, including 74,000 records from County Clare,  as well as other records from Laois, Offaly, East Galway, Wexford, Armagh, Derry and Waterford, including the parish of New Ross, Wexford, where President John F. Kennedy’s family came from. 
• Together, our 34 genealogy centres have an unparalleled amount of local knowledge which can be invaluable to those tracing their ancestors, a service which no other website or company can provide to such a high standard.  By taking out a subscription with RootsIreland, you are helping these centres to continue to provide a world-class service and securing many Irish jobs.

If you have any questions please check our Help section and if this does not provide an answer, then you may contact us or one of the county centres.

*Offer applies from 22nd November to 12 midnight Irish time on 9th December 2019 only. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

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, new records online, and much more! Click on the image above to read the newsletter in full. We hope you enjoy!

We are delighted to announce that Clare Heritage and Genealogical Centre have added 74,152 records to their database at http://clare.rootsireland.ie/ These records are as follows:

Roman Catholic baptisms and marriages:

Ballyvaughan (marriages 1862-1900), Broadford (marriages 1840-1883), Carron (baptisms, 1853-1900; marriages 1856-1898), Clonlara (baptisms, 1851-1900; marriages 1851-1900), Flagmount (marriages 1842-1900), Inagh (marriages 1850-1900), Killadysart (baptisms, 1829-1900; marriages 1867-1877), Killimer (baptisms 1859-1900), Kilmaley (marriages 1829-1900), Kilshanny (baptisms, 1869-1900), Liscannor (marriages 1866-1884), O’Callaghans Mills (marriages 1835-1900), Lisdoonvarna (baptisms, 1854-1900; marriages 1854-1899), New Quay (marriages 1848-1899), Sixmilebridge (marriages 1829-1868), Tubber (baptisms, 1833-1900; marriages 1864-1899).

Ennis, County Clare, 1902

Civil Births:

Cooleycasey (1894-1920), Crusheen (1885-1920), Ennis (1884-1920), Kilkishen (1896-1920), Scarriff (1886-1920).

Civil Deaths:

Bridgetown (1864-1970), Cooleycasey (1864-1970), Crusheen (1864-1970), Killaloe (1864-1970), Newmarket (1864-1970), Tulla (1864-1970), Ballyvaughan (1864-1970).

Gravestone Inscriptions:

Blakemount Tubber, Kilkeedy, Moore, Corrovorran, Coad, Kiltackey, Friary Abbey Ennis, Killilagh, Kilmoon, Killeny, Doolin.

Clare Journal 1778-1917

Marriages (1779-1917)

Deaths (1778-1917)

For a full list of records for Clare, and to search these records, go to www.clare.rootsireland.ie/

Kieran Tuohy’s solo exhibition entitled ‘Dark Shadows’ which are in the medium of bog oak are beautiful sculptures which immortalise stories of our past has been extended at the Woodford Heritage Centre until March 2020.

Visiting times are Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm and Fridays 9am to 12.30pm. For more details, contact the Woodford Heritage Centre, Woodford, Loughrea, County Galway at:

Tel: +353 (0) 90 9749309
Email: galwayroots@gmail.com

Due to essential maintenance and upgrading work on our server, there will be limited access to www.rootsireland.ie on Wednesday, 2nd October, between 8.30 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. (Irish time). We apologise for this inconvenience.

We have added to our database on Roots Ireland the records of 374 soldiers born or resident in Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin (formerly Kingstown), & environs who died in the Great War 1914-18.

For a full list of sources for Dun Laoghaire Heritage & Genealogy please click here

To search these records, go to dublinsouth.rootsireland.ie , choose ‘Census Substitutes’ and select ‘WW1 Dun Laoghaire Soldier Deaths’ from the ‘Source’ drop down list. Login and Subscribe if required. 

We are pleased to announce that Derry Genealogy have added over 9,000 records from the 1930 Derry Almanac and Directory.

The Derry Almanac and Directory lists heads of household in Derry City. This database contains 5 fields: Surname, First Name, Street, House Number and Page Number.

For a full list of sources for Derry please click here.

To search these records, go to derry.rootsireland.ie and select ‘1930 Derry Almanac and Directory’ from the ‘Source’ drop down list. Login and Subscribe if required.

Aspects of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown at the time of the 1916 Rising 
By Catherine Malone
Contact: cmalone@dlrcoco.ie – DLR Heritage & Genealogy Centre

In 1916, Kingstown (now Dun Laoghaire Rathdown), still wore the
mantle of a prosperous Victorian town with elegant squares, rows of fine terraced houses, mansions and private villas, dotted throughout the region. Many of the inhabitants of the larger houses were successful merchants and entrepreneurs. The more modest homes were those of working class families, mainly employed in building work or in the local stone quarries.
The 1901 Census records a large proportion of local men and woman were employed as gardeners and domestic servants, in the big houses.
As a busy maritime port with major commercial, mail and passenger services, the town received a steady flow of visitors. An added attraction was the Kingstown Regatta, an annual event that attracted visitors and yachting enthusiasts from all over the world. This celebrated event was hosted by the Royal St. George, then, one of the more exclusive yachting clubs, bordering the harbour.
The population, at this time, were mainly unionist, devoted to
maintaining the bond with Great Britain. Some nationalists were content with the promised Home Rule, already on the statute books. They were satisfied with improved economic conditions and reforms, that saw some Catholics reaching middle class status. However, a small body of nationalists believed that Home Rule did not go far enough, and the only way to an independent Ireland was through rebellion…

Rebellion 1916
Over 170 people from Dun Laoghaire and environs, took part in the Easter Rising 1916. Among them were many prominent leaders, who were born or associated with the area prior to 1916-
Padraig Pearse (1879-1916) born in Dublin. Founder of St Enda’s
School (Scoil Enna) in Renelagh, a suburb of Dublin, in 1908. The pupils were taught in both Irish and English. Two years later the school moved to Rathfarnham, County Dublin, now the Pearse Museum.
William Pearse, brother of Padraig, along with Thomas MacDonagh and Joseph Plunkett, all leaders in the Rising, were teachers at St. Enda’s… On Easter Monday 1916, Pearse stood outside the General Post Office, Sackville Street (now O’Connell Street), Dublin, and read the proclamation of the Irish Republic to a small gathering, many of whom were unaware of what was happening! The document, fresh off the press, was signed by six other members of the military force-  Thomas J. Clarke,
Sean MacDiarmada, James Connelly, Thomas MacDonagh, Eamonn Ceannt and Joseph Plunkett. The long awaited insurrection was now a reality.

Sir Roger Casement (1864-1916) born Doyle’s Cottage, Sandycove, Co. Dublin. Casement worked for the British Consular Service, where he received an knighthood for his work in the Belgian Congo. He later became disillusioned with the British establishment, and returned to Ireland offering his services to the Irish cause. He travelled to Germany as envoy for Ireland, seeking support and military aid for the forthcoming rebellion…
On 10th April 1916, the German cargo ship “Aud” left the port of
Lubeck with a shipload of rifles bound for Ireland. However, the plan was foiled. As the ship neared Tralee Bay, Co. Kerry, there was no response to the agreed signal of a flashing light. The Captain of the “Aud”, Karl Spindler, had no alternative but to leave Irish waters. Later the arms ship was cornered by British sloops, small warships on patrol, and escorted to Queenstown, now Cobh, in Co. Cork. Casement, later travelling by submarine U19, bound for Banna Strand, Co. Kerry, was arrested and sent to England to await trial. He was found guilty and sentenced to death for high treason. He was executed on 3 August 1916.

Eamonn DeValera (1882-1975) born in New York, U.S.A. Gaelic
scholar and avid supporter of the Irish language movement in Dublin. He was educated at Blackrock College, Co. Dublin, excelling in the subjects of Irish and mathematics. He subsequently became professor of mathematics at the Teachers Training College, Glasthule, Co. Dublin, where he remained up to 1916…
As a member of the Irish Volunteer Force, he led the Second Battalion at Boland’s Mill, a large bakery overlooking the main road from the port of Dun Laoghaire to the city. This was a strategic position, as over two thousand British troops had to set up camp nearby, while awaiting orders to march into the city. DeValera was the last to leave his post following news of surrender. He was reprieved from execution because of his US
nationality. De Valera , later served Taoiseach (Prime Minister), and subsequently President of Ireland.

Countess Markieviez (1868-1927) born Constance Gore-Booth in
London, into a family of wealth and title, both she and her sister Eva were brought up in the genteel manner appropriate to the upper classes at the time. Constance was popular in both English and Irish society where she was befriended by William Butler Yeats, and Maud Gonne. Following her marriage to the polish Count, Casimir Markieviez, she returned to Ireland. Her admiration for Jim Larkin, an Irish patriot, and his passionate oratory in support of the working classes, inspired her
interest in nationalism. She became a member of Sinn Féin in 1909. Markievicz co-founded Na Fianna, an Irish boy scout movement, which she also funded…
Constance bought a small cottage in Sandyford, Co. Dublin, at the foot of the Dublin mountains. Here she lived on and off, initially pursuing her hobbies of painting and walking. However, the cottage and surrounding area was to become the perfect training camp for the boy scouts, many of whom went on to join the volunteer forces, that fought by her side during the Rising. On Easter Monday 1916, Markieviez was posted as second in command at St. Stephen’s Green Garrison, mainly because of
her ability with firearms. The garrison saw little action as the main focus was on Mount Street Bridge and the city centre. Following capture, she avoided execution because of her gender.

Patrick Moran (1888-1921), born in Crossna, Co. Roscommon. Moran lived and worked in Blackrock and Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, prior to the 1916 Rebellion. A labour activist and strong supporter of the nationalist cause, he was sworn into the secret association of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, and subsequently became part of the volunteer force stationed at Jacob’s biscuit factory during the Rising. Following the orders to surrender, he was arrested by the British and sent to a
number of prisons in England and Wales. Although Moran avoided execution in 1916, he was later tried and sentenced to death by hanging for the alleged shooting of a British soldier. He was executed in March 1921 despite evidence of his innocence.

Major John MacBride (1868-1916) born in Westport, Co. Mayo.
On Easter Monday 1916, MacBride left his home in Spensor Villas,
Glasthule, Co. Dublin, to attend a meeting of Irish volunteers, at St Stephen’s Green. He had no previous connections with the volunteer force, but knew their Commander Thomas MacDonagh, whom he had fought alongside in the Boar War 1901. Due to his wartime experience, he was posted second in command at Jacob’s biscuit factory. The garrison saw little action, but following orders to surrender, MacBride was captured, tried, and sentenced to death.  During interrogation, MacBride claimed that he came upon the skirmishes in Dublin by accident. Most likely, an attempt to save his comrade Thomas MacDonagh.

Note: Photos, illustrations and memorials covering all conflicts, available at above address.