Irish Genealogy & Family History Resources

Are you interested in discovering more on your Irish family history? In this section, I have included letters (and podcasts) that include stories, explanations and approaches to help you investigate your own Irish family history. You may even receive a little inspiration to break down one or two family history brick walls!

 

Browse the features 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 and podcasts.

Irish Genealogy & Family History Letters

Quarantine Island Grosse Iles Part in Ireland's Great Emigration

Quarantine Island: Grosse Île’s Part in Ireland’s Great Emigration

Explore Grosse Île’s pivotal role in Irish emigration. Discover how this quarantine station shaped thousands of lives during the Great Famine.

An old black and white photo of Irish immigrants disembarking a boat.

The Irish Immigrant’s First Steps into a New World

Explore the journey of Irish immigrants to New York, from chaotic docks to Ellis Island. Discover their first sights and experiences in America.

Coffin Ships to Steam Ships. The Jeanie Johnston sailship doscked on the river Liffey in Dublin.

Coffin Ships to Steam Ships: An Irish Immigrant’s Epic Journey

What was your ancestors’ Atlantic crossing like? From “coffin ships” to steamers, uncover the realities of Irish immigrant voyages to America.

Irish family history

When Did You First become interested in Irish Family History?

In this letter we turn the tables on Green Room resident genealogist Jayne and ask her just how SHE became first interested in Irish family History.

Irish Townland

Clearing the Confusion – The Origins of the Irish term “Townland”!

Explore the concept of the Irish townland, a key to unlocking personal ancestry. Each townland is not just a part of the landscape but a vital link to familial histories.

Irish Genealogy & Family History Podcasts

Irish Ancestral Homeland

Finding Your Irish Ancestral Homeland in Ireland (#838)

In this special Irish family history episode we take two letters from our Green Room members. We chat about the approach they should take to uncover more about their respective Irish ancestral homelands.

Irish genealogy trip- Cathy and Mike in County Cork

An Irish Genealogy Trip Back to County Cork (#837)

On our latest episode, join us on an Irish genealogy trip as we embark with Boston-native Cathy Abraham back to County Cork. Unraveling the romantic tale of her great-grandparents’ elopement to America, we uncover hidden truths and visit ancestral lands connected to the O’Callaghan and Richardson families. Prepare for some fascinating discoveries!

The Great Hunger - An old Irish ruin.

Living Conditions at the time of The Great Hunger (#836)

In this episode, we look at a very difficult time in Ireland – one that triggered a time of death across the population of the island as well as emigration for many generations afterwards.

Cup of tea stories - What Happens when an Irish Bard Reads Your Family History (#821)

What Happens when an Irish Bard Reads Your Family History (#821)

In this episode we look at two different styles of story-telling. First, Carina reads out “Which County did your Irish Ancestor Come from?”. In the second feature we ask an Irish Poet/Bard to look at the family history of one of our Green Room members and then to put the entire saga into verse.

blogcobh2 - 7 Irish Characters - 7 Tales of Emigration (#812)

7 Irish Characters – 7 Tales of Emigration (#812)

In a follow-up to our recent episode about traveling from Cobh to Ellis Island – we head back to the Cobh Heritage Centre in County Cork and hear 7 stories of emigration from this very spot to many places around the world. Many thanks to Jack Walsh and all the team at the Cobh Heritage…