About
RootsIreland is Ireland's largest and most authoritative online genealogy database, operated by the Irish Family History Foundation as the coordinating body for 32 local genealogy centres throughout the island of Ireland. The platform provides instant access to over 23 million high-quality Irish historical records, covering both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Users can search across a wide variety of record types, including baptism and birth records, marriage records, burial and death records, census records, gravestone inscriptions, Griffith's Valuation land records, Tithe Applotment books, census substitutes, and Irish ship passenger lists. Searches can be filtered by first name, surname, county, and parish, with a unique Irish Surname Variant search that automatically finds all spelling variants of a surname in a single query (e.g., Brien, O'Brien, Bryan). The records are compiled and maintained by local genealogy centre staff and volunteers who work closely with clergy and government agencies to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness. Each subscription directly supports the ongoing preservation work of these community-based centres. RootsIreland is ideal for Irish diaspora members tracing their roots, professional genealogists, family historians, and academics researching Irish heritage. Subscription options start from a single-day pass, making it accessible for casual researchers and dedicated family history enthusiasts alike.
Key Features
- 23+ Million Irish Records: Comprehensive database covering baptism, marriage, burial, census, gravestone, land valuation, and ship passenger records across all 32 Irish counties.
- Irish Surname Variant Search: Unique search tool that automatically finds all spelling variants of an Irish surname in a single query, reducing missed results due to historical name changes.
- County & Parish-Level Filtering: Narrow searches by specific county, parish, first name, surname, and approximate year to quickly locate the right ancestor.
- Multiple Record Types: Access diverse record categories including Griffith's Valuation, Tithe Applotments, census substitutes, and transatlantic ship passenger lists alongside church records.
- 32 Local Genealogy Centres: Records are sourced and maintained by 32 community-based genealogy centres staffed by professional and volunteer genealogists throughout Ireland.
Use Cases
- Tracing Irish ancestry and building a family tree using baptism, marriage, and burial records from Irish parishes
- Identifying emigrant ancestors through transatlantic ship passenger lists and pre-Famine land records such as Griffith's Valuation
- Professional genealogists conducting client research on Irish family histories across all 32 counties
- Academic and historical researchers studying Irish population, migration, and demographic patterns using census and church records
- Irish diaspora members in the USA, Australia, Canada, and UK reconnecting with their Irish roots and verifying family oral histories
Pros
- Largest Irish Genealogy Database: With 23+ million records covering all 32 counties, it is the most comprehensive single source for Irish family history research available online.
- High Record Quality: Records are compiled by dedicated local genealogy experts and cross-checked with church and government sources, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
- Flexible Subscription Options: Short-term subscriptions starting at €15/day allow casual researchers to access the database without committing to long-term plans.
- Supports Heritage Preservation: Subscription fees directly fund the 32 local genealogy centres, helping preserve Ireland's historical records for future generations.
Cons
- Fully Paid Access: There is no free tier for record viewing; users must purchase a subscription to access search results beyond basic surname lookups.
- Coverage Gaps for Some Parishes: Not all parishes and record types are fully digitised, so some searches may yield incomplete results depending on the county and time period.
- Limited to Irish Records: The platform focuses exclusively on Ireland and does not integrate records from other countries, limiting use for researchers tracing Irish emigrants abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of records can I search on RootsIreland?
You can search baptism/birth records, marriage records, burial/death records, census records, gravestone inscriptions, Griffith's Valuation land records, Tithe Applotments, census substitutes, and Irish ship passenger lists.
How much does a RootsIreland subscription cost?
Subscriptions start from €15 for a single-day pass. Multiple subscription tiers are available to suit both casual researchers and regular users.
Does RootsIreland cover Northern Ireland as well as the Republic?
Yes, the database covers all 32 counties on the island of Ireland, including counties in Northern Ireland such as Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Derry, and Tyrone.
What is the Irish Surname Variant search?
It is a unique feature that automatically searches all known spelling variants of an Irish surname simultaneously (e.g., searching 'Brien' will also return results for 'O'Brien', 'Bryan', etc.), helping users find records even when historical spellings varied.
Can I get personalised genealogy research assistance?
Yes, many of the 32 local genealogy centres offer personalised research services. Contact details for each centre are available on the Contact Us page of the website.
