On Friday 30 June 1922 a massive explosion rocked Dublin city. A huge cloud of smoke and debris rose from the Four Courts building on the banks of the Liffey. The complex of late eighteenth century court house buildings had been under bombardment for two days during the Irish Civil War. Stored in the record treasury room in the west end of the complex were the defenders munitions. The combination was fatal to many of the historic records of Ireland, which were reduced to ash that afternoon.

But all is not lost! Irish family history may not be the most straightforward but it is one of the most rewarding to research. There are so many fascinating stories to be told from the records that survive.

Click on each of the links opposite to read up on how Irish genealogy differs from other countries, the best ways of getting started on your Irish family tree and the millions of records at your fingertips on Findmypast for telling your ancestor’s story.