Heritage & Ancestry

In 1651, Cromwell’s soldiers refused to cross Galway’s River Corrib. Here’s the real siege history behind the legend, and the rational explanations historians offer.

Find out which Irish port your ancestors left from — Cobh, Derry, Dublin or Belfast — using free ship records and genealogy resources. Plus get weekly Ireland stories free in our newsletter.

Griffith’s Valuation is the most useful record for tracing Irish ancestry. Conducted across all 32 counties of Ireland between 1847 and 1864, it names every …

Bishop’s Island, near the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, holds the ruins of an early Christian oratory completely cut off from the mainland. Here’s how to see it — and why monks chose it.

Thinking about making the move to Ireland? From visa options and where to live, to the practicalities of settling in, this complete guide covers everything you need to know.

Irish parish records are the most important genealogical source for tracing ancestors before 1864, with over 11 million records now freely searchable online — plus get weekly Ireland stories free in our newsletter.

Griffith’s Valuation (1847–1864) lists over 1 million Irish tenants by name and townland — and it’s free online. Here’s how to use it to trace your Irish roots. Plus get weekly Ireland stories free in our newsletter.

Discover the origins and meanings of the most common Irish surnames from County Kerry — O’Sullivan, McCarthy, Moriarty, Fitzgerald, and more. Learn how to trace your Kerry ancestry using free Irish records. Plus get weekly Ireland stories free in our newsletter.

A practical guide to airport transfers at Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Ireland West Airport Knock — covering bus, taxi and car hire options at each.

Skip the tourist pubs and find a real Irish trad session. Here are the best pubs across Ireland for traditional music — with tips on timing, etiquette, and what to expect.