Irish Roots - History, Genealogy, Traditions & More

Roots

Top ancient Irish Halloween traditions

The celebration of Halloween began in Ireland and today many ancient Irish Halloween traditions continue around the world.

History

Meet Averil Deverell, the first Irish woman barrister called to the Bar

Averil Deverell from County Wicklow was one of Ireland’s first woman barristers and played an important role in momentous changes both for Ireland and for women.

History

On this day: Samuel Beckett won a Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969

Born in Dublin, the Irish novelist and playwright is recognized as one of the greatest Irish writers and was awarded the prestigious Swedish literature prize in 1969.

Genealogy

The fascinating history of Ché Guevara’s Irish ancestry

A genealogist explores how Ché Guevara, a major figure of the Cuban Revolution, held Irish roots in County Galway.

History

Why is the Irish border where it is?

Northern Ireland wasn’t always destined to be a six-county state.

Genealogy

Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain was so proud of his Irish roots

"When we toured Ireland, we played in Cork and the entire day I walked around in a daze. I'd never felt more spiritual in my life".

Culture

How the Irish ward off evil spirits at Halloween

Ensure you're not stolen away by fairies on October 31st. Tools to keep those devilish, ghastly ghouls at bay on Samhain.

Genealogy

This map takes the guesswork out of your Irish genealogy research

If you have a common last name finding what county your ancestors are from is crucial.

News

Major funding boost for Irish organizations in the US to be announced in NYC today

Ireland's Minister for the Diaspora will announce more than $1.1 million in fresh funding to 24 organizations in the US as part of Ireland's Emigrant Support Programme.

History

History rewritten: DNA evidence shows Vikings weren’t all Scandinavian, some were Irish

The study finds Scottish and Irish people have integrated into Viking society well enough to receive a full Viking burial.

Travel

What you're missing out on in Ireland of the Welcomes magazine

Subscribe to Ireland of the Welcomes and receive Ireland's longest-running Irish interest magazine delivered to your door every two months.

History

Original Irish Jack-o-Lanterns made of turnips were truly terrifying

The Jack-O-Lantern story comes from Irish folklore, and the original was a far cry from the cute friendly Halloween decoration we know today!

Genealogy

The most famous people in the world with Irish roots

So many famous faces have Irish heritage and here are some that may surprise you.

Roots

These terrifying Halloween figures all have Irish origins

The scariest of Halloween monsters and ghouls have the Irish to thank for their terrifying origins.

History

This centuries-old Irish ghost story will give you all the chills ahead of Halloween

An Irish ghost returning from the dead in warning makes this super creepy tale one of Ireland's greatest ghost stories for Halloween.

Genealogy

Mariah Carey - Proud to be black, and proud to be Irish

An Irish American mother and half-black, half-Venezuelan father - the pop star Mariah Carey hangs on to some childhood trauma.

History

How Féile Na Marbh or 'Feast of the Dead' became Halloween

All Hallows Eve actually began as a harvest festival, the Celtic Feast of the Dead, several millennia ago in Ireland. Here are some Halloween recipes to help you celebrate.

Genealogy