Walk in the Footsteps of Your Irish Ancestors
Meet a local IrelandXO volunteer who can help you explore the place your family came from, uncover local stories and make your visit more meaningful.
Request a Meet & GreetHow It Works
- 1
Tell Us About Your Trip
Share your family history research and travel plans.
- 2
We Review Your Request
A local volunteer reviews your request and ancestral connection.
- 3
We Make the Introduction
We connect you with a volunteer from the relevant area.
- 4
Explore Your Roots
Receive local insights and, where possible, meet in person.
Ready to plan your visit?
Success Stories
Dineen ancestors in Kilmore
Along with his cousin Jan Maddick, John Howe, from Victoria, Australia, was tracing his Dineen ancestors in Balingarry, Co. Limerick
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From Halifax to Fermoy to pay respects to Sam Lister
Fermoy (Cork)
From Halifax to Fermoy to pay respects to Sam Lister
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From Minnesota to Co. Cork in search of ancestors.
Cork
Jessica Flynn and her family were visiting from Minnesota, USA, and wished to locate the areas in Co. Cork where her ancestors emigrated from.
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Ancestry in Bray.
Bray (Wicklow)
Carolyn Marion and her husband Rick, from Virginia, were in Bray to trace her ancestors James McCann and Mary Ryan.
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Tracing ancestors in Watergrasshill and Glanmire, Co. Cork.
Watergrasshill (Cork)
Sharon Bikers, from Melbourne, was tracing her ancestry in Watergrasshill and Glanmire, Co. Cork
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Tracing ancestors in Doon, Co. Tipperary
Clogheen (Tipperary)
Tracing ancestors in Doon, Co. Tipperary
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Visitors from the UK tracing their ancestors in Bohillane
Bohillane (Cork)
Visitors from the UK tracing their ancestors in Bohillane, near Cloyne, Co. Cork
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Following in her ancestor’s footsteps, Debbie visits Moneygall
Cullenwaine (Offaly)
Debbie Colson’s 2x great grandmother, Mary Quinlan Flynn, went to the USA in 1865 with her two young children.
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Re-tracing the footsteps of her great grandfather
Aghinagh (Cork)
Re-tracing the footsteps of her great grandfather
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John Kelly from Fermoy, a potential ancestor of Heather Clarey from Australia
Fermoy (Cork)
Kieran gives Heather food for thought!
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Not Travelling Yet?
Join your ancestral county to:
- Receive local stories
- Get heritage news
- Learn about events
- Connect with volunteers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free?
Yes. This service is completely free. However, we encourage visitors to make a donation to help cover costs such as insurance, administration and governance.
How much notice should I give?
We recommend submitting your request at least 6-8 weeks before your trip to allow sufficient time to identify the most suitable volunteer.
Can you help if I'm not sure where my ancestors came from?
Yes. Many of our volunteers can undertake preliminary research before your arrival and help identify likely ancestral locations.
Will someone meet me in person?
Where possible, yes. We always try to arrange an in-person welcome to help visitors reconnect with their ancestral town, village or county.
Can you help with genealogy research?
Yes. Our volunteers have extensive local knowledge and can often assist with family history research and local historical context.
Ready to plan your visit?
Our local volunteers are here to help make your journey to your Irish roots more meaningful.