Irish Legends & History

The placid lakes and peaceful, green valleys of Ireland belie its dramatic history. Fraught with invasions and political intrigue, famine and flight, the history of Ireland unwinds in a compelling narrative.

Featured Article: Michael Collins

Michael ("Mick") Collins (Irish: Mícheál Ó Coileáin; 16 October 1890 – 22 August 1922) was an Irish revolutionary leader, Minister for Finance and MP for Cork South in the First Dáil of 1919, Director of Intelligence for the IRA, and member of the Irish delegation during the Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations.Read More...

Irish History Timeline Quiz

Match an historic event in Ireland's history to the year it happened.

Bram Stoker

Abraham "Bram" Stoker was an Irish novelist and short story writer, best known today for his 1897 Gothic novel Dracula.

The Children of Lir

The Children of Lir is a famous Irish legend which is a part of the Irish Mythological Cycle, which consists of numerous tales and poems found in medieval manuscripts.

Brian Boru

Brian was an Irish king who ended the domination of the so-called High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill.

The Titanic

The Titanic was built at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Grace O'Malley

Ní Mháille was probably formally educated, since she is believed to have spoken in Latin with Queen Elizabeth I at their historic meeting in 1593. Because of her extensive travels and trade, she may have spoken some English, Spanish, Scottish Gaelic, and French as well

 

Comments

Phyllis Brickley-Benson

I'm searching for information on the parents of Samuel Brickley who resided in Lafayette, GA and Chattanooga, TN. His grandson was my father. My aunt told me he was from Ireland by way of Britain (the story she remembered). Census records state that his father was from England. Samuel Brickley was born in 1870. My aunt said he sailed to America as an indentured sailor. The path dead ends every time I try to find out more. So I've come here looking for answers. Thanks.
Reply

Mary Dunlavy

I am looking for information in Ireland on my Great Great Grandparents Walter S Dunleavy (1825 or 1817 - 1910) and Elizabeth O’Boyle (1840- 1908) both from County Mayo, possibly Kilmore Parish. Both emigrated to the US and were married in 1857.
Reply

Rhoda J. Toteff

I am researching to find Peter Steele's family. He was born in Cork, Cork , Ireland in 1815
Reply

Janet Sharp

The only marriage record I can find of Martin and Ann Coleman 1932 is in Aghaboe county laois. I know they had 2children born in Ireland- Margaret and michael. I can’t find baptism records for them to establish that I have the correct couple. My DNA profile tells me that my ancestors originate from south Sligo/ north Roscommon. I have drawn a blank on this line of my family for 15 years. Can anyone help me. They ended up in Lancashire.
Reply

George Doran

My name is George Doran . I no my family came to Canada around 1845. I read somewhere that Doran is a traveller. I was just wondering of that is true.
Reply

rose gubitosi (bann

im looking for my mom family and were they came from don't real got much to go on need help
Reply

Rick

I'm looking into my great grandfathers point of exit from Ireland. he and two brothers left Ireland in the 1800s separately and settled in different places here in the U.S.. my great grandfather settled a farm in Arkansas where he was murdered when my grandfather was 4 yrs old. and would like to know more about the family history.
Reply

Sheila

Can anyone please help me... I'm desperate at this point. For 14 years I have searched tirelessly to find out where my dad's side came from. When I was little I was told we are irish & come from ireland. My pappy Red told my father & his brothers a story about how we ended up in America. Pappy Red, Redden Calvin Bryan, explained that his father or grandfather I can't remember neither can my dad, ran from his family in Ireland. They were very temperamental & brutal people & he did not want to live the life of crime they'd chosen so he fled from what I was always told, dropping the O from O'Bryan but as am I've gotten older my dad & uncles explain the entire spelling was changed from O'Brien to Bryan. When ancestry came out I was excited but after years of dead ends I'm just discouraged that I'm never going to be able to solve this mystery for my family before they too pass away. I know from blood we all do have very stubborn & temperamental moments when something that is totally disrespectful happens or when another is being bullied so I know we come from a very protecting & warrior like spirit but I wish I knew the truth. I did mine & my dad's DNA test in hopes of it shedding a new light on things but no. We are so proud of our name & along w me & my uncles minus my father have all fought in the service which I am currently still apart of in America. America can just be such a hateful & cruel place to live sometimes though too & I pray one day I can find my roots & return to Ireland. My dad's mom's side are from Scottland & Wales. But my dad's side .. it'd like they're ghosts. There is no past but an old tale. I'm even named after my dad's Irish ancestry & starting to believe I'm the only 31 yr old named Sheila & I want to be able to explain more about my heritage than what little I currently have. If anyone could please help I'd be more than appreciative . It would truly be life changing for us. Thank you. Sincerely, Sheila Bryan [email protected]
Reply

Jessie

Mulholland tribe...and Salter...black irsh
Reply

Jessie

My partners original last name is Mulholland..but moved to Canada then had to change it to holland...his background is...Black Irish... what's that all about .
Reply

Philip Mc Elhinney

Hi there i have a good story for use it's about St canice who was born in the North West of Ireland and when all the way down to loais outside kilkenny to build his church ? but he had his followers who followed him down to help build his church and i am sure they never ever ever came back to the North West of Ireland ever ever again so I would like to do a DNA test to reunite all those lost lost relatives once again and make history to after 1.400 years ago the followers where are call the Mc Elhinney clan
Reply

Marsha Keyes

When did the Keyes family come on the scene in Ireland what year
Reply

George Patrick Wagner

Coming to Ireland 4/4/20 to 4/14/20 Dublin . 9 adults one 4 yr old one 1 yr old
Reply

New Comment

Cultural Map of Ireland