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

Irish counties - Did your Irish ancestors come from one of these?

Did your ancestors come from one of these Irish counties?

Discover how 50% of our readers trace their roots to Irish counties along the Wild Atlantic Way. Follow our ancestry journey on western shore.

Are you looking for your Irish ancestors in the right place?

A Cautionary Tale: Are you looking for your Irish ancestors in the right place?

Where did your Irish ancestors really come from? Learn how to avoid common research pitfalls and verify your family’s actual origins in Ireland.

What was life in Ireland like for my ancestor? Why did they leave Ireland?

What was life in Ireland like for my ancestor? Why Did they Choose to Leave?

Experience Life In Ireland through a family’s journey from Limerick farm to Detroit’s frontier. Discover why they left their Irish homeland.

First Contact: The Dawn of the Viking Age in Ireland

The Viking Age Dawns in Ireland: First Contact

Discover how the Vikings transformed Ireland and went from raiders to settlers, shaping its cities and culture during the Viking Age.

Who Was the First Irish-Born Mayor of Boston?

Who was The First Irish-Born Mayor of Boston?

One man’s journey from Cork immigrant to Irish-born mayor of Boston. Explore the rise of Boston’s Irish community in this inspiring tale of perseverance.

Irish Genealogy & Family History Podcasts

10 Stops Map - 10 Stops on a Musical Tour Around Ireland (#804)

10 Stops on a Musical Tour Around Ireland (#804)

This week we have a special episode that takes you around ten counties on the island of Ireland. We stop off at each point and share a song – as well as more on the place and the person featured in the song. Please note that this episode was broadcast in a different format inside…

Search for Irish Grandfather

Another Mystery Solved: The Search for my Irish Grandfather (#803)

In this episode we trace the origins of Carina’s Irish grandfather – Bartholomew Cronin. He died well before she was born and she only recently realised how little she knew of his early days, the wider family and his final resting place”. So, join us as we look to solve this mystery – with plenty…

Maddens Buildings 2 - A Mystery Solved: The Search for my Irish Grandmother (#802)

A Mystery Solved: The Search for my Irish Grandmother (#802)

In this episode we trace the origins – and more – of Carina’s mystery Irish grandmother. I say “mystery” because Carina only ever knew her as “Granny Cronin”. So, join us as we look to solve this mystery – with plenty of journeys, unexpected turns, twists and interesting characters along the way. We hope you…

Ford Motor Car copy 1 - Solving The Mystery of Irish Surnames - Two Examples (#723)

Solving The Mystery of Irish Surnames – Two Examples (#723)

Have you ever wondered how the Irish surnames in your family tree came about? Understanding just HOW your Irish surnames developed is KEY to understanding more about your Irish origins and likely locations in Ireland. In this episode we take two very different Irish surnames and use them to illustrate the sometimes simple – and…

Laurel Hardy copy - Laurel & Hardy and An Irish American Hero (#721)

Laurel & Hardy and An Irish American Hero (#721)

This episode of the Letter from Ireland podcast has a Hollywood theme! Not just Hollywood however, we tell two stories behind recently released movies with a strong connection to Ireland. So, what do Laurel & Hardy, Steven Spielburg, Tom Hanks, Mary Black and Carina Collins all have in common? They all feature in this week’s…