Program Overview

Introduction to Irish Family History

Overview

The Introduction to Irish Family History course is a lecture-only module that explores the history of Ireland from the 1650s to the 1950s. The course is deeply rooted in historical sources, including records generated by churches, central and local government, enterprises, families, and individuals. The focus is on understanding what sections of the Irish population are documented in these records and how to interpret the evidence.

Course Details

• The course comprises 16 lectures, with eight lectures in semester 1 and eight in semester 2.
• Lectures take place on Mondays from 6-7 pm on Trinity Campus and are live-streamed but not recorded.
• The course fee includes archival visits and free access to the largest Irish collection online.
• Participants will construct a simple family history portfolio over 16 weeks, including creating a family profile, researching documentary evidence, building a family tree, and writing a simple report.

Fees

• The full course fee is €275, with a concession rate of €149 available to those retired, over 65s, and those on a government pension/payment plan, including second and third-level students.
• The fee per semester is €150, with a concession rate of €90 per semester.

Course Content

The course covers a broad sweep of Irish history, exploring the records generated by various institutions and individuals. It delves into what sections of the Irish population are documented in these records and how to interpret the evidence, including instances where record collections were destroyed and whether collateral records survive that contain relevant information.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the course, participants will have gained a deeper understanding of Irish history and the sources that document it. They will be able to construct a simple family history portfolio, including a family profile, documentary evidence, a family tree, and a written report. The course provides a comprehensive introduction to Irish family history, equipping participants with the skills and knowledge to further explore their own family narratives and personal identities.