Eire Ancestry

21/02/2026

Ireland’s heartbeat echoes within me, no matter where I roam—its spirit is my constant home.

21/02/2026

Incredible photo of a woman playing the harp in a crowd of people c.1910! Such an amazing photo capturing a passing moment of time! 🇮🇪

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21/02/2026

IGRS Top Research Tip #195: Did some of your Irish family migrate to New Zealand? The NZ Ancestor Search Helper draws together data from a range of online NZ resources: https://ash.howison.co.nz

*PLEASE FOLLOW, LIKE & SHARE*

21/02/2026

Loughcrew Cairns: Ireland’s Forgotten Sacred Mountain

High above the green fields of Meath, where the wind moves freely and the land stretches for miles, sits one of Ireland’s most quietly powerful sacred places.

Loughcrew — known in Irish as Sliabh na Caillí (Sleeve na Kal-yee, meaning “Mountain of the Hag”) — is a hilltop complex of ancient passage tombs older than the pyramids of Egypt.

And yet… it still feels hidden.

Step inside one of the cairns at Carnbane East and you’ll find stones carved with spirals, stars, and mysterious symbols that have survived over 5,000 years. At the spring and autumn equinox, the rising sun sends a beam of light deep into the chamber, illuminating the carvings in a moment that feels almost Otherworldly.

Folklore says the site was created by the Cailleach Bhéara (Kal-yakh Vair-ah), the ancient hag goddess who dropped stones from her apron as she leapt across the hills. Whether myth or memory, the story adds another layer to the experience.

But here’s the real reason to visit:

It’s not crowded like some heritage sites.
It’s not commercial.
It’s just you, the wind, the stones — and 5,000 years of story.

Climb the hill.
Touch the carved stone.
Stand where our ancestors stood and watch the sun rise over the Boyne Valley.

If you’re travelling through Ireland and want somewhere that feels genuinely ancient and alive with myth, put Loughcrew on your list.

Have you ever been?
Or is this one still waiting for you?

21/02/2026

The 1926 Census is coming! Here’s what you need to know about your data.

On 18 April this year, the 1926 Census will be published online.

This landmark release marks 100 years since the census was taken, but if you (or a loved one) appear in the records, there are a few important things to know regarding privacy and GDPR:
✅ The 100-Year Rule: Under the Statistics Act 1993, census returns are made public after a century.
✅ Your Right to Opt-Out: If your personal information appears in the 1926 Census and you do not wish for it to be published, you have the right to request that your specific details be redacted.
✅ How it Works: Only your specific lines will be removed; the rest of the household information will remain searchable for others.
✅ What to Do: To request an opt-out, you’ll need to provide identifying details (like name, DOB, and 1926 address) to help the Archives locate the correct return.

📧 Get in touch: If you wish to opt out, contact the National Archives at census1926@nationalarchives.ie.

02/02/2026

This sand painting by Manu of the St. Brigid Cross is absolutely spectacular ☘️💚

📍 Bridies' Beach near Clonea, Co.Waterford

31/01/2026

31/01/2026

St. Brigid’s Eve tradition from the Southern Shore, Newfoundland

Here’s an account from Newfoundland that appeared in PJ Kinsella’s book from 1919 entitled ‘Some Superstitions and Traditions of Newfoundland’. The Southern Shore was settled by south eastern Irish and this tradition travelled with them. It’s is similar to to practice of leaving out a scarf, clothes or rag for St. Brigid to bless but in this case a piece of cord that would be worn around the leg.

It is almost identical to the tradition of wearing St Philomena’s Cord which is still really strong within the Travelling community who wear the cord on their arms and legs for luck and protection The young lads tend to wear it on the legs and it is identical in thinking to this account from rural Newfoundland.

If anyone from Newfoundland heard of it being done, drop in a comment. It might have faded but maybe not. For those who don’t know St. Brigid’s Eve is tonight, the 31st of January and tomorrow is St. Brigid’s Day.

Here is Kinsella’s account from 1919.

“In one or two places along the Southern Shore there is a belief to this day that if a piece of string of any kind is placed outside the house on the eve of St. Brigid the good saint will walk upon it, and that a piece of the cord worn around the leg or foot, will be a talisman against all injury from falls and accidents due to stumbling.”

Text: Michael Fortune

31/01/2026

31/01/2026

29/01/2026

29/01/2026

Course | Introduction to Genealogy/Family History 8-week Course Date February 18 through April 8 | Wednesdays | 2pm - 4:15pm Location National Library of Ireland, 7-8 Kildare Street, Dublin, D02 P638 Category Course Date February 18 through April 8 | Wednesdays | 2pm - 4:15pm Location National Libra...