One time of the year seems to bring out the carnival spirit in the Irish more than any other: the seven short days between Christmas and New Years. Of course, this being Ireland, there are centuries old Irish traditions to follow too, if you want to spend your Christmas like a local, that is. Here’s Irish Central’s list of 10 Irish Christmas Traditions. FULL STORY >

The easiest way to get an Irish passport of course is to be born in Ireland. But, if you drew the short straw on that one, you're going to need an Irish parent or an Irish grandparent, marry a citizen or be a permanent resident in Ireland. FULL STORY >

Surprisingly, Jewish Hanukkah menorah now a favorite Irish Christmas tradition

Finding Jews in Ireland is not an easy task. Of Ireland’s 4.4 million people, only 2,000 or so are Jewish. But finding a menorah, the eight branched candle that celebrates Hanukkah – that’s a cinch. FULL STORY >

Historic 1910 films to be featured at Boston Irish Film Festival

This year the Boston Irish Film Festival present a unique multimedia event that takes you back to the early 1910s when pioneering screenwriter/actress Gene Gauntier and director Sidney Olcott of the Kalem Film Company blazed a trail from New York to Killarney—and into history. FULL STORY >

Most Popular Roots Stories Most Popular Roots Stories Most Popular Roots Stories

History
of the
Irish in America

Click on a title at right to hear a podcast from
Irish Roots Café

RESEARCH YOUR ROOTS

IrishCentral and IrishOrigins have teamed up to offer you the best resources to trace your family roots, either on your own or with expert help. CLICK TO BEGIN >

For information on Irish family crests, the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland is the Republic of Ireland's authority on all heraldic matters relating to Ireland. Interest in Irish family crests can come from Irish abroad. The tradition of the Irish abroad seeking grants of arms from the Chief Herald continues to this day. The Office accepts petitions for grants of arms not only from all Irish citizens, male or female, and persons normally resident in Ireland. The Office will also respond to requests regarding Irish family crests from persons living abroad who are of provable Irish descent in either the paternal or maternal line and persons with significant links to Ireland. Irish family crests feature various symbols. Different colors, lines, birds and plants all have their own special meaning. Other symbols found on Irish family crests include heart, hand, anchor, tower and cross. From ancient times Irish society was organized around traditional kinship groups or clans. These Irish clans traced their origins to larger Irish clans such as Uí Briúin in Connacht. Within these larger Irish clans there tended to be one sept who became more powerful than others for a period of time. This process occurred through war and politics and the leaders of Irish clans were accorded the status of royalty in Gaelic Ireland. Some of the more important septs to achieve this power were O'Conor in Connacht and O'Brien of Thomond in Munster. The largely symbolic role of High King of Ireland tended to rotate among the leaders of these royal Irish clans. The larger or more important Irish clans were led by a Taoiseach or Chief who had the status of royalty and the smaller and more dependent Irish clans were led by Chieftains. Under Brehon Law the leaders of Irish clans were appointed by their kinsmen as custodians of the clan and were responsible for maintaining and protecting their clan and its property. The Irish clans system formed the basis of society up to the 17th century.