Letter Archive

Welcome to the letter archive page for the weekly "Letter from Ireland". We started to write these letters in 2013 covering Irish Genealogy & Family History, Irish Surnames, Irish Culture & Customs and Ireland Travel, here you'll find a link to all of them.

 

Browse the letters listed on this page and jump to one that interests you, or enter a placename, surname or other item in the search box below to see related letters.

All of our weekly letters to date

The Irish Potato - An Essential Part of Who we Are

The Irish Potato – An Essential Part of Who We Are

Today we’re going to chat about a staple of the Irish diet and the impact this food had on Irish culture and history – the humble Irish potato.

Evictions in Ireland - How Your Ancestors Fought Back Thumbnail

Evictions in Ireland – How Your Ancestors Fought Back

Now, you might think it would be wonderful to have a surname that enters into the English language based on your deeds and is used by millions of people. Then again, your name might be Captain Charles Boycott. I think you might see where this is going!

Sweet Irish Colleen

Do you have a Sweet Irish Colleen in Your Family Tree?

Do you have an Irish “Colleen” in your family tree? How about an “Erin” or a “Kelly” – or maybe a “Kerry”?

Life in Ireland 1800s

Life in Ireland during the 1800s: See more by looking through this lens

I have noticed that when we assemble an Irish family tree by gathering the essential ancestors, places and dates – we eventually ask: “I wonder what life in Ireland was like for my Irish ancestor and their family?”

Unusual Irish Name - Carina walking through a field in the Irish countryside.

Is this Unusual Irish Name in your family tree?

One of our readers was puzzled by an unusual Irish name in her family tree, especially among traditional names in her family. We discover the name’s unique origins tied to ancient Irish traditions. The evolution of this name over time, especially through anglicisation in Wexford, reveals a rich tapestry of cultural and linguistic blending.

The Great Hunger Memorial Statues with flowers

Did your Irish Ancestor Live Through this terrible time?

Ever wondered about the stories and trials your Irish ancestor might have faced during the great famine? As I delved into the resilience and hardships of my own O’Regan lineage, it made me reflect on the untold tales each of our ancestors might hold.

The Irish Famine - Cottier Class

How the Irish Famine Wiped out a Whole Group of People

The Irish famine had a profound effect on a large group of people in Ireland who often went unrecorded. While some records of Irish ancestors are lost due to incidents like fires, many times no records were made in the first place.

County Cork Ancestor

Do You Have a County Cork Ancestor?

Did you know that Cork is the largest county in Ireland (both north and south)? The surnames of that county are the subject of today’s Letter from Ireland.

Sinead OConnor

The Making of a very Irish Name – Sinéad O’Connor

We’ve lost one of Ireland’s great artists and singers – Sinéad O’Connor. Much has been written about her life, but it’s enough to say that the lady was a unique talent and died a way too early. Today, we’ll honour her memory in a way that we know best by taking a look at her Irish first name and surname.

Letter From ireland

10th Anniversary of the Letter from Ireland

We’re having a birthday celebration here in Cork, and not just any birthday – it’s the 10th anniversary of this Letter from Ireland!

I’m sipping on my regular cup of Barry’s Tea, do join me with a cup of whatever you fancy yourself, as I share the story of how this little Letter from Ireland came to be.