An American’s guide to discovering their Irish roots: Research tips and must-visit places

Tracing your Irish ancestry is a rewarding journey, and there’s no better way to do it than by visiting Ireland in person. Whether you’re starting from scratch or already have details about your family’s roots, this guide will help you take the right steps before and during your trip.

Step 1: Start your research at home

Before setting foot in Ireland, gather as much information as possible. Irish genealogy research relies heavily on locations—knowing even a county or village name can make a huge difference.

Gather information from family & records

• Speak to older relatives who might have details about places, surnames, or family stories.
• Look through family documents, old letters, or photographs for written clues.
• Check home country records such as:
  • U.S. Census Records (1850–1950) – Many list an ancestor’s country of birth as Ireland. Search via National Archives or FamilySearch.
  • Naturalization records – Some include exact Irish birthplaces. Look at NARA’s Naturalization Records.
  • Passenger lists & immigration records – Ellis Island and Castle Garden records often reveal departure towns. Check Ellis Island’s database.
  • Military service records – Irish-born soldiers in the U.S. Civil War or World Wars may have documented origins. Access U.S. military records.

Use online genealogy databases

• IrishGenealogy.ie – Official birth, marriage, and death records.
• National Archives of Ireland – Census records from 1901 and 1911.
• Griffith’s Valuation – Land records useful for pinpointing family locations.
• RootsIreland.ie – Church records not always available elsewhere.
• AncestryDNA and 23andMe – DNA testing to connect with Irish relatives and estimate regional origins.

Step 2: Narrow down your family’s Irish location

If you have a surname but no precise location, use these methods to refine your search:

Surname distribution & naming patterns

Certain Irish surnames are strongly linked to specific counties. Research surname origins on IrishAncestors.ie to find potential locations.

Check for local parish records

If you’ve identified a likely county, visit the National Library of Ireland’s Catholic Parish Registers to find baptism or marriage records.

Land & property records

• Griffith’s Valuation – Helps locate family residences during the mid-1800s.
• Tithe Applotment Books (1823–1837) – Lists landholders before Griffith’s Valuation, accessible via National Archives.
• Valuation Office (Dublin) – Offers follow-up records to track land ownership changes up to the 1970s. Visit Valuation Office Ireland.

Step 3: Plan your genealogy trip to Ireland

Once you have a county or townland, you’re ready for on-the-ground research. Plan your visit carefully to maximize your chances of uncovering records and possibly even connecting with distant relatives.

Visit local genealogy & heritage centers

Most counties have a heritage center specializing in regional family history. Check The Irish Family History Foundation for a list of centers.

Explore church archives & graveyards

• Visit the parish church where your ancestors may have been baptized or married.
• Search graveyards for family names on headstones—they often list multiple generations.
• Use HistoricGraves.com and FindAGrave.com to locate burial sites before arriving.

Search local newspapers & obituaries

Check archives of local newspapers for birth, marriage, and death notices. Many historical newspapers are digitized on the Irish Newspaper Archive or available in county libraries.

Check workhouse & Poor Law records

If your ancestors left Ireland during the Great Famine (1845–1852), they may have lived in a workhouse. Local archives often hold Poor Law Union records detailing those who received assistance before emigrating. Explore resources at Irish Workhouse Centre.

Step 4: Connect with local communities

Visit local pubs & community centers

Irish villages are tight-knit, and many locals have a deep knowledge of family histories. A conversation in a pub or with a local historian could lead to valuable information.

Contact living relatives

If DNA testing has matched you with Irish relatives, reach out before your trip to arrange a meeting. Small rural communities often have strong intergenerational memory, and distant cousins may know stories or locations tied to your ancestors.

Engage with online genealogy groups

• Facebook groups for Irish genealogy can connect you with people from your ancestral county.
• Boards.ie genealogy forum allows you to post surname inquiries and get advice from experienced researchers.

Step 5: Hire a professional genealogist & private driver

If you’ve exhausted online resources but still have gaps in your family tree, a local genealogist can access physical archives and church records. Accredited Genealogists Ireland (AGI) offers a directory of trusted professionals at Accredited Genealogists Ireland.

To make your research trip more efficient, consider hiring a private driver-guide who knows the local area and can take you to archives, graveyards, and historical sites with ease. Many drivers specialize in genealogy tours and can provide insights along the way. A highly recommended option is John O’Connell of Cork Luxury Travel, who has a deep knowledge of Irish family history and is passionate about helping families trace their roots. Learn more at Cork Luxury Travel.

Final thoughts: Preserve your family’s Irish story

Your journey to Ireland isn’t just about finding records—it’s about experiencing the landscapes, communities, and traditions that shaped your ancestors’ lives. Document your findings, take photos, and create a family history archive to pass down to future generations.

By combining preparation at home with in-depth research in Ireland, you can uncover the rich history of your family’s Irish roots and bring their story to life.