The Ireland Branch of the Irish Genealogical Research Society (IGRS) was established in 1967 at the request of members living in the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland It was reorganised with an elected committee in 1986.
The IGRS Ireland Branch is very active, and organises its own series of lectures, events and AGM. It works closely with the Council in London in running the Society.
All IGRS members who are resident in either the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland automatically enjoy membership of the Ireland Branch. Members who are resident in other parts of the world are welcome to join Ireland Branch events when they are visiting Ireland.
The Ireland Branch Committee for 2018/2019 is as follows:
Bernadette Cass – Honorary Treasurer [Council]
Aileen Wynne – Honorary Secretary
Gay Conroy – Honorary Chairperson
Vivien Costello
Catherine Delaney
Hilary Fairman
Robert Frewen
Hilary Tulloch
Rosaleen Underwood
Ex officio members of Council
Claire Bradley
David Butler Editor, The Irish Genealogist
Linda Clayton FIGRS
Máire Mac Conghail FIGRS
Edward Rowland
Steven Smyrl FIGRS
Upcoming Ireland Branch Activities – 2018
Summer Lecture:
Wednesday, 18th July at 18:45
Venue: Helen Roe Theatre, Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 63 Merrion Square South, Dublin 2
‘Boy with a Squirrel’ – The lives and the genealogy behind the painting.
One of Colonial America’s best known paintings is ‘Boy with a Squirrel’. The ‘Boy’ is Henry Pelham (1748 ? 1806), born in Boston of an Irish mother and an English father. Pelham rose to fame before fleeing to Ireland during the American War of Independence. Among many roles he was agent for Lord Lansdowne and town planner of Kenmare, Co. Kerry, where he met a tragic death. This illustrated talk shows how researching his life uncovered a surprising and fascinating connection to a Pelham family from Kerry in post-Famine NYC.
Sources used include US Census, Military and private archives, Burke’s Irish Landed Gentry, newspapers, BMD & Church records in England, Ireland and Boston, shipping registers, estate records, etc.
Speaker – Ireland Branch Committee Member Bob Frewen is an amateur historian & genealogist. His researches include the lives of several landed gentry families in South Kerry, where he is a regular contributor to local history publications.
All welcome. Members free, non-members €5.
Ireland Branch Summer Outing:
Saturday 18th August 2018
Visit to Clonalis House and King House in Roscommon
Cost per person: €60 (members) €65 (non-members) includes travel by coach, all entrance fees, morning refreshments and a special lunch in Kilronan Castle.
8:30 am: Coach departing from National Museum, Kildare St, Dublin 2.
11:00 Visit to Clonalis House
13:00 Lunch at Kilronan Castle
15:30 Visit to King House in Boyle
17:30 Depart for Dublin
20:00 Approximate time of arrival back in Dublin.
Booking: Please email Bernadette Cass before Friday 3rd August 2018. Be sure to include your phone number on all correspondence. Cheques can be posted to Bernadette at 10 Wellpark Avenue, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
Payment may also be made via internet banking including your name in the narrative IBAN: IE89AIBK93104741516056 BIC: AIBKIE2D
Autumn Lecture:
Wednesday, 24th October at 18:45
Venue: Helen Roe Theatre, Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland,
63 Merrion Square South, Dublin 2
Speaker: Maurice Gleeson
All welcome. Members free, non-members €5.
Christmas Drinks: 3rd December from 18:00
Join the IB committee for a social evening of genealogy chat at our usual venue of Café en Seine, 40 Dawson St, Dublin 2.
Past Ireland Branch events:
Genealogy Open Day – Saturday 19th May 2018
Venue: Dublin City Library & Archive, 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2
Admission: free, no need to book.
| 10:00-10:20 | Registration |
| 10:20-10:30 | Chairperson’s Welcome |
| 10:30-11:15 | Linde Lunney: 300th anniversary of the 1718 migration from Ulster to New England |
| 11:20-12:00 | Brian Hollinshead: “Where Historical Geography meets Genealogy” |
| 12:00-13:30 | Lunch at own expense |
| 13:45-14:30 | Lynn Brady: Glasnevin Cemetery resources for the family historian |
| 14:45-16:00 | Lightening talks:
“Genealogy novels: are they any good & should you be reading them?!” by Claire Bradley “Organising Genealogy: How do you do it?” by Aileen Wynne |
Spring Lecture & Ireland Branch AGM – Saturday 21st April 2018
Venue: Dublin City Library & Archive, 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2
14:00: AGM (members only)
15:00: Lecture
Dr Ciarán Reilly will talk about the Irish Famine Eviction Project.
Admission: free, no need to book.
Autumn Lecture:
Monday 20th November at 18:45
Venue: Helen Roe Theatre, Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland,
63 Merrion Square South, Dublin 2
Speaker: Paddy Waldron
Topic: How to get the most out of your DNA test results
All welcome. Members free, non-members €5.
Christmas Drinks: 4th December from 18:00
Join the IB committee for a social evening of genealogy chat at our usual venue of Café en Seine, 40 Dawson St, Dublin 2.
Ireland Branch Summer Outing:
Saturday 29th July 2017
Visit to Monksgrange House & Gardens, Wicklow Gaol, Enniscorthy Castle & the Athenaeum Theatre
Cost per person: €60 (members) €65 (non-members) includes travel by coach, all entrance fees, morning refreshments and a special lunch.
8:30 am: Coach departing from National Museum, Kildare St, Dublin 2.
10:00 Visit to Wicklow Gaol, with coffee and scones
12:45 Lunch at Monart House
14:30 Monksgrange House & Gardens
16:45 Enniscorthy Castle & the Athenaeum Theatre
17:45 Depart for Dublin
19:15 Approximate time of arrival back in Dublin.
Booking: Please email Bernadette Cass before Friday 14th July 2017. Be sure to include your phone number on all correspondence. Cheques can be posted to Bernadette at 10 Wellpark Avenue, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
Payment may also be made via internet banking including your name in the narrative IBAN: IE89AIBK93104741516056 BIC: AIBKIE2D
Summer Lecture:
Wednesday, 7th June at 18:45
Venue: Helen Roe Theatre, Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 63 Merrion Square South, Dublin 2
Speaker: Robert Frewen
“James Franklin Fuller, FRIBA, FRSAI, FSA. (1835-1924) – Great architect; dubious genealogist?”
J.F. Fuller was a noted antiquarian, genealogist and architect of many renowned buildings (Ashford Castle, Kylemore Abbey, etc.). Like his architecture, his genealogical work was impressive and extensive. However, writing on his family genealogy he made some dubious conclusions and was adept at hiding the truth. This illustrated talk details how research into his family genealogy in Ireland, France and the United States uncovered some skeletons and fascinating tales.
IGRS member Bob Frewen is an amateur historian / genealogist. His researches include the lives of several landed gentry families in South Kerry, where he is a regular contributor to local history publications.
Genealogy Open Day – Saturday 20th May 2017
Venue: Dublin City Library & Archive, 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2
| 10:00-10:20 | Registration |
| 10:20-10:30 | Chairperson’s Welcome |
| 10:30-11:15 | Jim Herlihy – Tracing Ancestors in the Irish Police |
| 11:20-12:00 | Finding the Irish in Scotland – Ruth Mathewson |
| 12:00-13:30 | Lunch at own expense |
| 13:45-14:30 | How German immigrants brought savoury delight to Dublin – Karl-Heinz Wuestner |
| 14:45-16:00 | Lightening talks: Claire Bradley demos the new features of the IGRS website, Aileen Wynne talks about DNA testing and Rosaleen Underwood talks about church records |
Spring Lecture & Ireland Branch AGM – Saturday 22nd April 2017
Venue: Dublin City Library & Archive, 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2
14:30: AGM (members only)
15:00: Lecture
Áine McHugh, archivist of Loreto Ireland, the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, will speak about the history of the sisters, the schools and their archive.
(Members and non-members very welcome)
Admission: free, no need to book.
2016:
Christmas Drinks: 5th December from 18:00
Join the IB committee for a social evening of genealogy chat at our usual venue of Café en Seine, Dawson St, Dublin 2.
Autumn Lecture:
Tuesday, 15th November at 18:45
Venue: Helen Roe Theatre, Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland,
63 Merrion Square South, Dublin 2
Speaker: Alan Phelan
Topic: The Records of the Erasmus Smith Trust Archive
Ireland Branch Summer Outing:
Saturday 20th August 2016
Day trip to Castletown House, Co. Kildare, Ballinamuck Heritage Centre, Co. Longford & Tullynally Castle, Co. Westmeath.
| 8:00am sharp | Coach departs from outside National Museum, Kildare St, Dublin 2 |
| 9:00 | Castletown House, Co. Kildare: Refreshments and Tour of House |
| 11:30 | Ballinamuck Heritage Centre, Co. Longford, followed by lunch at the Longford Arms Hotel |
| 15:30 | Tour of Tullynally Castle, Castlepollard |
| 16:30 | afternoon tea |
| 19:00 | Arrival back in Dublin |
Price: €60, which includes all transport, entrances fees, lunch and refreshments.
Ireland Branch Genealogy Open Day – Saturday 21st May 2016
Venue: Dublin City Library & Archive, 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2
| 10:00-10:20 | Registration |
| 10:20-10:30 | Chairperson’s Welcome |
| 10:30-11:15 | The Curious Writer – Marita Conlon McKenna |
| 11:20-12:00 | Irish Internal Migration 1600-2016: A Neglected Aspect Dr Patrick Fitzgerald |
| 12:00-13:30 | Lunch at own expense |
| 13:45-14:30 | The online resources of Limerick City Local Studies Mike Maguire |
| 14:45-16:00 | Lightening talks: Claire Bradley gives her top census tips, Aileen Wynne talks about family tree software and Joanna Fennell discusses immigration hints |
Finding Your Ancestors and and IGRS Ireland Branch AGM – Saturday 19th March 2016
Finding Your Ancestors is a day conference jointly hosted by the IGRS and Cork Genealogical Society. It will be held at the Clayton Hotel, Silversprings, Cork City, and includes refreshments and a light lunch.
Please see the dedicated page for full details of the programme, venue, times, costs and booking.
The IGRS Ireland Branch AGM will be held at the same venue as the conference. You do not need to book or pay to attend the Ireland Branch AGM. The AGM is open to members and non-members alike but only members can vote.
2015
Autumn Lecture:
Thursday, 12th November at 18:45
Venue: Helen Roe Theatre, Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland,
63 Merrion Square South, Dublin 2
Speaker: Dr Ciarán Reilly of NUI Maynooth
Topic: “Black sheep disgrace any flock”: The 19th Century Irish Land Agent
Admission free. All welcome.
Ireland Branch Summer Outing:
Saturday 20th June 2015
Day trip to Emo Court House, Co. Laois; Rock of Cashel; Holy Cross Abbey, Co. Tipperary
| 8:30am sharp | Coach departs from outside National Museum, Kildare St, Dublin 2 |
| 10:00 | Emo Court, Co. Laois: Refreshments and Tour of House and Gardens |
| 12:45 | Lunch at Horse and Jockey, Co. Tipperary |
| 14:30 | Tour of Rock of Cashel and Hore Abbey |
| 16:30 | Tour of Holy Cross Abbey and surrounding area |
| 18:15 | Tea at Abbeyleix Manor Hotel, Co. Laois |
| 20:30 | Arrival back in Dublin |
Price: €55, inclusive of all transport, entrances fees, lunch and refreshments.
Ireland Branch Genealogy Open Day:
Saturday 23rd May 2015 [10:00am – 4:30pm].
Venue: Dublin City Library & Archive, 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2
| 10:00-10:20 | Registration |
| 10:20-10:30 | Chairperson’s Welcome |
| 10:30-11:10 | LESSER USED GENEALOGICAL SOURCES AT DUBLIN CITY LIBRARY AND ARCHIVE Dr Máire Kennedy, Divisional Librarian/Special Collections, Dublin City Public Libraries |
| 11:15-11:55 | IRISH HISTORIC TOWNS ATLAS: DUBLIN, Part III, 1756-1847: A SOURCE FOR GENEALOGY Rob Goodbody, editor of IHTA, Dublin, Part III |
| 12:00-13:30 | Lunch at own expense |
| 13:45-14:25 | SURNAME RESEARCH AND DNA: PUBLICATIONS, POSSIBILITIES AND PITFALLS Dr Catherine Swift, Irish Studies, Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick |
| 14:30-16:00 | GENEALOGY WORKSHOP: SHORT INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATIONS AVAILABLE |
Spring Lecture & AGM
Saturday 18th April 2015
Venue: Dublin City Library & Archive, Pearse Street, Dublin 2
14:30: AGM (members only)
15:00: 15:00
Local historian, Liam Clare, will give a talk “Loughlinstown (Dublin) Workhouse”, which will last approximately 50 minutes, with a Q&A session to follow.
Admission: Free. No need to book. (All members and non-members very welcome.)
2014
Autumn Lecture:
Tuesday, 28th October 2014 at 18:45
Venue: Helen Roe Theatre, Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland,
63 Merrion Square South, Dublin 2
Speaker: Mary Casteleyn, FIGRS & Vice-President: The holdings of the IGRS Library.
Admission: Free. All welcome.
Back to our Past – Friday 17 October to Sunday 19 October 2014
Once again, the IGRS exhibited at Ireland’s very own family history fair.
The exhibition, and its valuable programme of lectures, is held, annually, at the RDS, Dublin.
Report on the IGRS at Back To Our Past 2014
Ireland Branch Summer Outing:
Saturday 14th June.
Day trip to Ballitore, Co. Kildare & Mountmellick & Portarlington, Co. Laois
| 8:30am sharp | Coach departs from outside National Museum, Kildare St, Dublin 2 |
| 10:00 | Refreshments Moone followed by: Tour of Mary Leadbetter House, Friends Meeting House, Ballitore, Co. Kildare |
| 13:15 | Lunch at Ena’s at the Mill, Mountmellick, Co. Laois |
| 14:15 | Visit to Mountmellick museum, with talk, followed by tour of Friends graveyard nearby |
| 16:15 | Visit to Portarlington French Church with talk on Huguenots, followed by afternoon tea |
| 20:00 | Arrival back in Dublin |
Price: €55, inclusive of all transport, entrances fees, lunch and refreshments.
Ireland Branch Genealogy Open Day:
Saturday 24th May 2014 [10:00am – 4:30pm].
Venue: Dublin City Library & Archive, 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2
| 10:00-10:20 | Registration |
| 10:20-10:30 | Chairperson’s Welcome |
| 10:30-11:10 | ‘Stories from the Great War: The Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association Archive’ Dr Mary Clark |
| 11:15-11:55 | ‘A Most Patriotic Volunteer: the online Military Service Pensions Collection and the Genealogist’ Hugh Comerford |
| 12:00-13:30 | Lunch at own expense |
| 13:45-14:25 | ‘Single Female Emigration to Australia 1830-1840: including famine orphans’ Dr Perry McIntyre |
| 14:30-15:20 | ‘Why can’t you find your ancestors online, even though you know they are there?’ John Grenham |
| 15:20-16:00 | Ask the Experts. Question & Answer session |
Ireland Branch AGM & Lecture:
Saturday 12th April 2014
Venue: Dublin City Library & Archive, Pearse Street, Dublin 2
14:30: AGM (members only)
15:15: “Exhibiting WW1 at the National Museum of Ireland” presented by Lar Joye, Curator, National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks.
Admission: Free. (Members and non-members very welcome.)
Spring Lecture:
Wednesday 19th March 2014 at 7:00pm
Venue: Helen Roe Theatre, Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland,
63 Merrion Square South, Dublin 2
Speaker: Peter Bailey: ‘The Irish in India’. Full details.
2013
Back To Our Past, Stand No 1
Friday 18 October to Sunday 20 October 2013
The IGRS will once again be at Ireland’s very own family history fair.
The exhibition, and its valuable programme of lectures, is held at the RDS, Dublin.
Report on the IGRS at Back To Our Past 2013
Summer Outing
Saturday 15 June 2013
A full-day outing, with tours of Darner House/Roscrea Castle in Co Tipperary, East Clare Heritage Centre, and Portumna Castle and nearby Portumna Workhouse in Co Galway.
Report of the Summer Outing.
Genealogy Open Day
Saturday 25 May 2013: 10:00am – 4:30pm
Four lectures, Expert Q&A, Silent Raffle. See Report of the day.
Ireland Branch AGM and Lecture
Saturday 20 April 2013: 2:30pm – 4:30pm
Venue: Dublin City Library & Archive, Pearse Street, Dublin 2.
Title: ‘Using Vestry Records for Family History Research’, with Dr Maighréad Ní Mhurchadha
Cost: Free. Members-only to the AGM. Lecture at 3:15pm, and everyone is welcome.
Ireland Branch Spring Lecture
Wednesday 20 March 2013.
Venue: National Library of Ireland. Cost: Free. Time: 7pm.
Title: DNA – Brick Wall Buster?, with Dr Maurice Gleeson
For previous events, see Ireland Branch Archives
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