Resources for Irish heritage travellers

The official repository for Irish government and historical records, including census returns, wills and land records going back centuries.

Home to the most comprehensive collection of Irish genealogical records, including Catholic parish registers dating back to the 1700s. Free access online.

Free government database of Irish civil registration records for births, marriages and deaths, and Catholic parish registers. A good first stop for any search.

Online database run by the Irish Family History Foundation, covering church records from all 32 counties. One of the most comprehensive Irish genealogy databases available.

Free access to the 1901 and 1911 Irish census returns, allowing you to search for your ancestors by name and county. An essential resource for Irish family history.

The official archive for Northern Ireland, holding records for counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Derry and Tyrone. Essential for Ulster family history.

The official tourism website for the island of Ireland. Comprehensive guides to every county, heritage sites, itinerary ideas and travel inspiration for first-time and returning visitors.

Failte Ireland's official visitor guide to the Republic of Ireland, covering attractions, accommodation, food, festivals and regional travel guides across all 26 counties.

The Office of Public Works manages over 90 national monuments and heritage sites across Ireland. Book tickets for Newgrange, Rock of Cashel, Kilkenny Castle and more.

Award-winning interactive museum in Dublin's Docklands dedicated to the stories of the Irish diaspora. Essential for anyone tracing Irish roots, with 20 galleries covering the global Irish story.

The Queenstown Story, located on the quayside where over 3 million Irish emigrants departed. One of the most moving heritage experiences in Ireland for the diaspora.

A full-scale replica of a Famine-era emigrant vessel at New Ross, County Wexford. One of the most powerful ways to understand what your ancestors experienced on the crossing to America.

Ireland's national airline, operating direct transatlantic routes from New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando and other US cities to Dublin and Shannon.

Europe's largest low-cost airline with extensive routes into Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Knock and Belfast from across the UK and Europe. Useful for connecting flights within Ireland's region.

Ireland's main international gateway. Flight information, arrivals and departures, transport connections and passenger information for Ireland's busiest airport.

Ireland's western gateway with direct transatlantic routes. Particularly useful if your ancestral county is in Connacht or Munster, as it puts you closer to the west of Ireland on arrival.

The national rail network connecting Dublin to Cork, Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Waterford, Wexford and other cities. Book tickets and check timetables online.

The national bus company serving towns and villages across Ireland not on the rail network. Essential for reaching more rural ancestral areas that trains do not serve.

Bus and rail services across Northern Ireland, connecting Belfast to Derry, Antrim, Down, Armagh and the border counties. Essential for travelling in Ulster.

Compare car hire prices across all major providers at Irish airports. Hiring a car is strongly recommended for visiting rural heritage sites and ancestral parishes not served by public transport.

Search and book hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation across Ireland. Filter by county to find options close to your ancestral area.

Self-catering cottages and houses across Ireland, including many in rural counties close to heritage sites. A good option for longer stays or for families travelling together.

A collection of Ireland's finest country houses, castle hotels and manor houses. For a truly memorable heritage stay, many of these properties have histories stretching back centuries.

A carefully selected group of historic Irish private houses offering accommodation. Staying in a house with a history adds a unique dimension to an ancestral trip.

Official information on applying for Irish citizenship through a grandparent or great-grandparent born in Ireland. Many in the diaspora are eligible and do not know it.

Apply for an Irish passport if you are an Irish citizen. Irish passports are issued to citizens by descent and entitle holders to live and work anywhere in the European Union.

Ireland's national meteorological service. Check the forecast before visiting — Irish weather changes quickly and layers are always advisable regardless of the season.

Official customs guidance for visitors arriving in Ireland from outside the European Union, including duty-free allowances and declaration requirements for US travellers.