2022 Ireland Research Trips (2023 Information Coming in early November)
National Library - Dublin
Titanic Museum - Belfast
It's been a difficult two years for the Ireland Research Trips. The 2020 trip was cancelled due to COVID and I had to cancel the 2021 trip due to the limitations of the repositories. Because of the backlog of requests, I have scheduled two trips in 2022...one in May and one in October. Those registered for the 2020 and 2021 trips have had priority on booking for 2022, but I'm happy to announce that there are still spaces available. The October trip will run from Saturday, October 15 to Saturday, October 22, 2022 and we will be back at Buswell's, across the street from the National Library. The week’s research includes The National Library, The National Archives, The Valuation Office, The Registry of Deeds and the General Register Office. Additional repositories can be scheduled on an as needed basis.
The October Belfast trip is scheduled from Saturday, October 22 to Saturday, October 29, 2022 staying at The Belfast Hilton. The Hilton is about a 15 minute walk from PRONI and close to the downtown area. The week’s research includes the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI), the Ulster Historical Foundation, The Linen Hall Library, and the North of Ireland Family History Society. Additional repositories such as the Presbyterian Historical Society and the Orange Museum can be scheduled if needed.
I've had a number of requests for information on the 2023 Trip. This is likely the last trip I'll be making with a Research Group. The Dublin Trip is scheduled for October 7-14 and Belfast from October 14-21. I do not have the pricing yet from the hotels, and have been told to expect it in mid-October. When I return from Ireland in early November, I will post the Registration information on this page, and will also announce it on my Facebook page.
You can follow the activities of the 2022 May trip on my blog page. On the line for All Posts, hover over More and you'll get a drop down menu. Select Research in Ireland (which will also allow you to see information from previous trips. I'll also be posting daily for the October trip. Here's a link to a blog written by Ann Raymont who attended the 2019 Dublin Research Trip and there are links to some of the earlier guest blogs, comments and photos below.
Questions?
Guest Blogs
Comments from previous trips…
"It's a great idea - have an expert guide your navigation for the first time visit. It really saved me a lot of time, and helped me maximize the research. I came home with about 100 records I hadn't seen before. It was quite a revelation to me that there were actually that many items to collect out there. I really can't wait to come back and get supplements, now that I know the terrain well. Thanks Donna!"
"You accommodated my need for RCBL and GRO perfectly. Like the Registry of Deeds, they aren't applicable for everyone, but you facilitated everyone's priorities very well."
"This is such a beautifully organized trip, and I really appreciate all the guidance. I think it's extra good that we had some open days to go back to other repositories. I think it would have been unfortunate if I were forced to go to places that didn't apply to me, and sacrifice more time at other places, for instance. Those last couple days were great for me - I went back to the Archives and the Valuation office, and saw other fellow researchers there too!"
"The longer that I am home the more I feel that it was an awesome adventure, quite enjoyed Belfast and could have spent more time there, learned a lot about my relatives and Ireland, and continue to work on the DNA one of Martin's friends is on my DNA, getting DNA from a cousin, just not enough hours in the day
“The trip was great from beginning to end and the attention that you gave to everyone’s individual research throughout the week was beyond my expectations."
"I could never have navigated all these repositories in a week without the orientation and support you provided. It would have taken me several trips and far greater expense to find the documents and information I found in one week with you. This was a fabulous opportunity. Thank you for making it available to us.”
“Donna was very knowledgeable and I learned so much about what and where I should be researching.”
"The orientation at the NLI was good and help me to find and use the resources I wanted to look at. At the National Archives, I did not know what to look at. It was helpful when we were showed the different indexes and resources and where they were located. The trip was a great experience, thank you.”
“All the help that was given, (esp. by Donna), and the various staff people, defiantly made our trip to both Belfast, and Dublin a howling success. !!!”
"Fantastic trip, loved every minute of it, your knowledge , help and company was very much appreciated and I thank you very much."
Updated 9-28-2021