At the CHQ Building on Custom House Quay, the Irish Family History Centre combines an interactive exhibition on Irish history with one-to-one genealogy consultations. Book a session to work with a genealogist on your family tree, explore Irish records beyond the databases you may already know, and get a clearer plan for further research. Bring names, dates and other details you have gathered: they can help focus the search. The centre can guide your research, but it cannot guarantee that records will be found.
Exhibition and genealogy consultations
The Irish Family History Centre is in the CHQ Building on Custom House Quay. It brings together an interactive exhibition on Irish history and a genealogy service for people investigating their family connections to Ireland.
A consultation gives you time to work with a genealogist on the information available about your family. Researchers can look across Irish records and other resources, compare material from different databases, and help identify what to investigate next. The work may also point to relevant records outside Ireland when a family’s story crosses borders.
Prepare for a family history search
Before your appointment, collect the details you already have, such as names and family relationships. Dates and places can help narrow the search, especially when a name appears frequently in records. The genealogist can use your starting information to decide which records and research routes may be relevant.
Family history research does not always produce a clear answer during one session. Records can be incomplete, and a consultation is support for the search rather than a promise of a particular discovery. You can ask for guidance on further research and make use of the links, screenshots and recommendations provided after a session. If you want to explore several branches of your tree, consider allowing more time.
Preguntas frecuentes
Do I need to book a genealogy appointment?
Yes. Book ahead for genealogy services at the centre.
What should I bring to a family history consultation?
Bring any information you have about your family, including names and other details that may help guide the research.
How long does a genealogy consultation take?
A session of about 50 minutes to an hour is described. Allow longer if you plan to investigate several branches of your family.
Can the genealogist guarantee that I will find family records?
No discovery is guaranteed. The genealogist can help search records and suggest further research steps.
