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

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.

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.

The City of Belfast

explore the city of Belfast’s unique history and its divergence from other Irish cities. Through a conversation between Colleen and our Belfast-born genealogist, Jayne McGarvey, we’ll delve into the lives of ancestors, the events that moulded them, and the reasons behind their migrations.

Do You See Yourself As Irish?

When I am travelling in Ireland and someone asks me – “Where are you from?” – the answer is usually expected to be the county where you live. It’s only when I travel abroad that I start to think of myself as an “Irish man” as opposed to a “Cork man”. Do you have a similar experience?

Irish Genealogy & Family History Podcasts

Annie Moore Emigrant

7 Favourite Irish Ancestry Moments from Series 4 of the Letter from Ireland Show (#410)

As we reach the end of series 4 of the Letter from Ireland Podcast show, we’d thought we would share just 7 of our favourite moments. It was a tough choice and we hope you enjoy them!

3 Signs You Are making Progress as an Irish Family History Researcher (#409)

Do you wonder what it takes to really get your Irish Family History research REALLY humming? We interviewed Irish-based genealogist – Jayne McGarvey – and asked her to share 3 signs that you are making progress as an Irish ancestry researcher.

Annie Moore statue in Cobh, County Cork, Ireland with Mike and Carina sitting in front

From Queenstown to Ellis Island – A Journey in the Footsteps of Your Irish Ancestors (#407)

Would you like to take a trip with us from Queenstown to Ellis Island? Join us on a journey as we first travel to Queenstown (Cobh) in County Cork before touring around Ellis Island in the USA – meeting some very interesting people along the way!

American genealogist Pam Holland and Carina standing in front of the New England Historic Genealogical society doors

Irish Ancestry – Interview With an American Genealogist on Tracing Your Irish Ancestors (#406)

Do you need help figuring out HOW to trace your Irish ancestry back to Ireland? Well, we talk to an American Genealogist to get some hints and tips.

12 Surprises – 90,000 Irish Genealogy Questions and Answers over 5 years (#405)

The Letter from Ireland is 6 years old this year – and the Green Room is 5 years of age! Here are 12 things that surprised us over the last 5 years as we answered thousands of Irish genealogy questions in the Green Room and with the Letter from Ireland.