Millions of people share a deep connection with Ireland, through ancestry, family stories, or simply a love for the culture and traditions that have travelled across generations.
For many, exploring family roots on the island of Ireland offers the chance to uncover personal histories and reconnect with a shared heritage.
Tracing ancestry can start as a simple curiosity but often becomes a powerful journey of discovery, connection and belonging.
For travellers, uncovering ancestral links to Ireland adds a meaningful layer to their trip that will transform a holiday into something deeply personal and memorable.
Here is a quick guide to start your own research or help others looking for their long-lost Irish roots.
Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin
Start Your Search from Home
Before setting foot in Ireland, the best first step is to gather as much family information as possible: old photos, letters, certificates, and any details passed down through generations. Even small fragments can be valuable when tracing the past.
Once you’ve collected what you can, there are many excellent online resources to begin your research:
- IrishGenealogy.ie – Access civil records of births, marriages, and deaths, as well as church records.
- National Archives of Ireland – Search the 1901 and 1911 census records and other historical archives.
- Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) – A key resource for tracing family roots in Northern Ireland.
- RootsIreland.ie – A comprehensive database of Irish parish records from across the island.
- Ancestry – A global-leading online genealogy platform, with billions of records and tools to help build family trees.
- MyHeritage – A platform for family tree building and DNA testing, connecting users with relatives around the world, but it doesn’t have searchable records.
EPIC The Irish Emigration museum, Dublin City Docklands
These online tools can help identify their ancestral counties, townland, or even parishes. That’s the perfect foundation before making the trip to Ireland.
Travel over to the island of Ireland
Genealogy travel is about more than tracing names on a family tree. It’s about walking in the footsteps of those who came before by discovering the landscapes, towns, and communities that shaped family stories.
In Dublin, visitors can begin their journey at EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, where Ireland’s emigration history comes to life through immersive exhibits. The museum also offers online genealogy consultations before you travel, along with expert help in planning itineraries that include sites connected to family heritage.
Another must-visit is Glasnevin Cemetery Museum, Ireland’s national cemetery and the resting place of over 1.5 million people. It’s an evocative and informative stop, perfect for anyone keen to explore Ireland’s social and family history.
Beyond Dublin, there are excellent regional genealogy centres and archives across the island:
- The Ulster Historical Foundation (Belfast) – A leading resource for Northern Irish ancestry.
- The Genealogy Centre in Ennis, County Clare – Offering expert local knowledge in west coast family research.
Many counties also run local heritage centres where visitors can explore parish records, maps, and land documents — often supported by passionate local historians who help bring ancestral stories to life.
Ancestral Adventure with Roots Revealed, Ballymena, Co. Antrim
A Journey of the Heart
Standing in the village, church, or farmland where their ancestors once lived is an unforgettable experience. What begins with a few old records and online searches often ends with a sense of homecoming that only Ireland can offer.
From County Tipperary to the Antrim coast, every ancestral journey reveals a deeper connection to heritage, identity, and the island itself.
For more information, visit Ireland.com or Tourism Ireland trade website.
