90th Anniversary
This year, 2026, heralds the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Irish Genealogical Research Society (IGRS) in 1936. This milestone anniversary will be marked over the course of the year through a global programme of events.
The calendar of events can be viewed below. Details for some have yet to be finalised; the calendar will be updated periodically. When events are open for booking, you can do so through the Events page of our website here
The IGRS, the world’s oldest organisation dedicated to the study and preservation of Irish family history, was founded in 1936 in response to the destruction of Ireland’s Public Record Office in 1922. The Society has spent nine decades championing the research, recording and understanding of Ireland’s documentary heritage.
John Grenham, one of Ireland’s foremost genealogists, described the IGRS in The Irish Times in 2011 as “the great granddaddy of all Irish family history societies”, a testament to the Society’s pioneering role and enduring influence on Irish genealogical research.
A Year of Global Celebration
In marking its 90th anniversary, the Society will deliver a worldwide programme of events across 2026, reflecting the Society’s international membership and deep connections with the Irish diaspora. This aspect of the celebrations will recognise the Irish heritage of people throughout the world, embracing all traditions that contribute to Irish identity.
Events are scheduled across Australia, Canada, the United States, England, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland. Venues include prominent archives, libraries and genealogical institutions, with local Irish communities and diaspora partners playing a central role. The speakers include a wide range of experts foremost in their field and many with long years of experience.
Renewed Focus on Preservation, Access and Storytelling
Throughout the anniversary year, the Society will highlight three core themes:
Irish record survival: correcting the misconception that “all the records were destroyed,” by amplifying the message: “There are Irish records — you just need to know where to look.”
Preservation and digitisation: raising awareness of the IGRS Library, archival collections and the Society’s ongoing digitisation needs.
Global Irish identity: celebrating the international community of researchers, libraries and volunteers that has sustained the Society for nearly a century.
Membership
Membership of the IGRS is open to anyone with an interest in Irish genealogy, whether they be new to family history research or are a seasoned veteran. Members enjoy access to our unique online collections, expert guidance, the annual journal, The Irish Genealogist, a regular newsletter, online lectures, a growing collection of online Irish genealogy videos, and a global community of like-minded researchers.
Not an IGRS member? To become part of our thriving community click HERE now to check out the benefits of membership.
IGRS 90th Anniversary Events Summary
Updates to the calendar will be published on the web page and on Facebook
March Saturday 28th hybrid lecture (in-person and online)
hosted in Ottawa by the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa
“Focusing on the Migrants: How Genealogy has Transformed our Understanding
of the Irish in Canada”
speaker: David Wilson, Professor of History & Celtic Studies, University of Toronto
A recording of this talk can be viewed by members here
April Saturday 18th hybrid lecture (in-person and online)
hosted in Boston by the New England Historic Genealogical Society
"From Tyranny to Freedom: Irish Contributions to the American Revolution"
speaker: Melanie McComb, NEHGS senior genealogist
A recording will be made available to members in due course.
May Saturday 16th online lecture
following IGRS Annual General Meeting
“Pre-1800 Sources for Irish Genealogical Research”
speaker: Valerie Adams, Librarian / Archivist, Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland.
A free to view recording of this talk can be viewed here
July Saturday 4th in-person two-lecture event
in London, at the Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith
"Records relating to the Irish War of Independence held at The National Archives, Kew"
speaker: Michael Mahoney (Learning & Outreach Support Officer, The National Archives, Kew)
"An Undiscovered Country: Irish Military Pensioners of the United States in Ireland and Britain, c. 1845–1905"
speaker: Dr Damien Shiels (Historian, archaeologist, and author specialising in the Irish diaspora. Former curator at the National Museum of Ireland and Research Fellow at Northumbria University)
This event has taken place. It was not recorded.
August Thursday 27th online lectures
Unfortunately the planned talk that was to be hosted in Sydney by the Society of Australian Genealogists has had to be cancelled due to unforseen circumstances.
Instead, the speakers that were due to present at the in-person event at PRONI in Belfast on June 11th, delivered their lectures via Zoom.
“Irish merchants in France from 1630 to the eve of the French Revolution: prospects, challenges and identity”
speaker: Marian Lyons, Professor of History, Maynooth University
“Scottish migration to Ireland in the seventeenth century”
speaker: William Roulston, Research Director, Ulster Historical Foundation
This event has taken place. The lectures are available until 6th December 2026 for members to view here or via the Lecture Recordings page in the Members section.
September Saturday 12th in-person one-day conference
hosted in Dublin by the National Library of Ireland at the Joly Theatre
Four lectures
“The first fifty years: early stalwarts, the journal, the library, and the foundation of the Ireland Branch”
speaker: Julian Walton (Vice President, IGRS)
“Snobs and Scholars: the Genealogical Office manuscript collection”
John Grenham (author & professional genealogist)
“Quality Assured: Ulster’s Office in the eighteenth century”
Colette O’Flaherty (former Chief Herald of Ireland)
“Recovering Ireland’s lost census records – census records in the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland”
Brian Gurrin (Census Specialist, Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland)
This event has taken place. Lectures were not recorded.
October Saturday 3rd in person lecture
following IGRS Ireland Branch Annual General Meeting
"The Women of Cumann na mBan after the Revolution".
speaker: Dr. Susan Deedigan
Venue: Conference room at the Gilbert Library, Pearse Street, Dublin.
The lecture is open to all and free of charge. No booking required, Start time 3pm approx. The preceding Ireland Branch AGM is open to members only.
November Saturday 7th reception and in-person lecture 2-4pm
hosted in Edinburgh by the Consulate General of Ireland, 16 Randolph Street, Edinburgh
A reception to celebrate our 90th anniversary and includes a talk titled "From Loss to Legacy - the Irish Genealogical Research Society's 90th Anniversary"
speaker: Steven Smyrl, author, professional genealogist & chairman of IGRS Council
Booking and other details will appear on the Events page soon.
November Sunday 22nd online lecture
“From Ireland to Van Diemen’s Land”,
speaker: Maureen Martin Ferris.
Booking and other details will appear on the Events page soon.
December Wednesday 2nd online lecture
"An unique case: the Irish in Argentina"
speaker: Guillermo MacLoughlin, editor of the Southern Star newspaper and one of the initial recipients of the Wallace Clare Award
Booking and other details will appear on the Events page soon.
