Every year, thousands of travellers journey across the Atlantic in search of answers about their family history. With over 33 million Americans claiming Irish ancestry, Ireland has become a hotspot for those wanting to walk the same streets and maybe even meet distant cousins from generations past.
If you’re curious about your family’s past, here are some of the most meaningful places in Ireland to explore your roots:
🥇 1. Dublin – Begin with Your Story
Start your heritage journey in Dublin, home to some of Ireland’s most important emigration and genealogy resources.
📍 Must-See:
- EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum – An interactive experience that tells the story of why Irish people left and where they went.
- Irish Family History Centre (connected to EPIC) – Allows you to work with genealogy experts and search through digital archives and records.
- National Library of Ireland – Offers free access to genealogy websites, census records, land ownership documents and more.
🥈 2. County Cork – The Last Goodbye
For many Irish emigrants, Cobh (pronounced “Cove”) in County Cork was the final farewell. Over 2.5 million people left from this harbour town between 1848 and 1950 — making it one of the most symbolic stops for Americans tracing their ancestry.
📍 Must-See:
- Cobh Heritage Centre – Where you can explore interactive exhibits on Irish emigration, famine ships, and even original passenger lists.
- Titanic Experience Cobh – Located in the original White Star Line offices, where passengers boarded Titanic.
- St. Colman’s Cathedral – A soaring landmark with ties to many emigration-era baptisms and weddings.
🥉 3. County Donegal – Roots in the Northwest
Many Americans trace their Irish lineage to Donegal, a county with a high rate of emigration, particularly during the 19th-century Famine. It’s the perfect place for tracing ancestry due to its rich historical records and strong sense of community.
📍 Must-See:
- Donegal Ancestry Centre, Ramelton – Experts here can help match surnames to local townlands.
- Glencolmcille Folk Village – Replica of a rural thatched village that offers a glimpse into what life was like when your ancestors left.
- Dunfanaghy Famine Heritage Centre – Learn about the local impact of the Great Famine and the stories of those who emigrated.
4️⃣ County Roscommon & County Mayo – Famine-Era Departures
Roscommon and Mayo were two of the counties most devastated by the Great Famine (1845–1852). If your ancestors arrived in the U.S. during that period, chances are they came from here.
📍 Must-See:
- National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park (Roscommon) – One of the most powerful places to understand the reasons behind Irish emigration.
- North Mayo Heritage Centre – Specialises in genealogical research for County Mayo, including church, census, and land records.
5️⃣ Your Family’s Townland – The Most Personal Journey
No tour is complete without visiting your ancestral townland — if you already have an idea of where your family once lived. Whether it’s a farmhouse in Kerry or a cottage in Louth, nothing compares to standing on the land your ancestors called home.
✅ Many counties offer:
- Heritage centres with local parish and land records
- Assistance with finding old family homesteads
- Guided townland visits
✨ Ready to Trace Your Irish Roots?
At Irish Tourism Group, we offer fully customised tours designed by expert travel agents.
We can help you plan:
✅ Visits to key heritage sites
✅ Meetings with local genealogy centres
✅ Overnight stays near ancestral towns
✅ A stress-free, unforgettable trip at your pace
👉 Let us help you come home.
📩 Contact us today to begin planning your personalised Heritage Tour.
💚 It’s time to walk the path of your ancestors
