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From ancient monuments to coastal legends, explore the rich history across every county.ย
Co. Kerry
For six centuries a handful of men lived on a pyramid of rock twelve kilometres out in the Atlantic, climbing six hundred steps to pray. Their beehive cells are still there, weather-tight after a thousand years of salt and storm.
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Places to Explore
Latest Places
Enclosure, Tankardstown, Co. Laois
There is no earthwork to speak of, no mound, no upstanding wall. The only way to perceive its shape is…
Enclosure, Shanganagh Beg, Co. Laois
No earthwork, no standing stone, no hollow in the turf. The only way to see this circular enclosure in the…
Enclosure, Shanganagh Beg, Co. Laois
The ground is flat, the soil turned for tillage, and the circular ditch that once defined an ancient enclosure here…
Enclosure, Rahin, Co. Laois
The feature survives not as an earthwork but as a cropmark, one of those spectral signatures that only betray themselves…
Enclosure, Morett, Co. Laois
It is only from the air, through the telltale discolouration of crops known as a cropmark, that the site reveals…
Enclosure, Morett, Co. Laois
It gives itself away only from the air, and only under the right conditions: a dry summer causes the buried…
Enclosure, Milltown, Co. Laois
No earthwork rises from the ground, no ring of stones breaks the horizon, yet satellite and aerial imagery reveals the…
Enclosure, Fallaghmore, Co. Laois
It does not announce itself. There is no mound, no ruin, no visible earthwork. The enclosure exists, for now, almost…
Ring-ditch, Ballyfoyle, Co. Laois
It is invisible at ground level, but from the air the outline of a ring-ditch resolves itself clearly in the…
Headstone, Tankardstown, Co. Laois
One belongs to a Samuel Cooper; the other, immediately to its north, commemorates a Mathew Cain. The inscription on Cain’s…
Headstone, Tankardstown, Co. Laois
The stone records the death of one Mathew Cain on the seventh day of November, Anno Domini 1607, a date…
Mound, Grenan, Co. Laois
Two were large and oblong, one small and circular, and all three carried the same local name: the Giants’ Graves.…
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Discover People
List of Irish family names
Irish surnames offer a fascinating glimpse into the rich tapestry of Ireland’s history and culture. These names, steeped in centuries…
O'Kennedy: family name history
The surname O’Kennedy, rooted deeply in Irish heritage, carries a historical resonance that traces back to the early medieval period.…
The Rich Tapestry of Irish Heraldry: Exploring Family Crests and Their Significance
Heraldry, the art and science of designing, displaying, and studying armorial bearings, plays a significant role in Irish history and…
Understanding the Symbolism in Irish Coats of Arms and Family Crests
Irish coats of arms and family crests are rich with history and symbolism, reflecting the cultural, familial, and historical narratives…
Irish Surnames
Walsh: family name history
The Walsh surname is of Irish origin, stemming from the Gaelic name Breathnach, which means ‘Welsh’ or ‘Breton.’ It was…
Gallagher: family name history
The surname Gallagher is of Irish origin, descending from the Gaelic ร Gallchobhair, where ‘ร’ denotes ‘descendant of’, and ‘Gallchobhair’…
Moore: family name history
The Moore surname is of Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic “O Mordha,” where “O” signifies “descendant of,” and “Mordha”…
Kennedy: family name history
The Kennedy surname, known in Irish as ร Ceanรฉidigh or ร Cinnรฉide, is one of the most distinguished names in…
Lynch: family name history
The Lynch surname is of Irish origin, with deep roots in the country’s history. It’s among the oldest surnames in…
Quinn: family name history
The Quinn surname has its roots in the ancient Irish history. It is derived from the Gaelic “O’Cuinn” which means…
Doyle: family name history
The Doyle surname, a prominent name in Irish history, derives from the Old Gaelic “Dhubhghaill,” composed of the elements “dubh,”…
O'Reilly: family name history
Origin of the Surname The O’Reilly surname originated in Ireland, stemming from a prominent Gaelic family that played a significant…
Ryan: family name history
Origin of the Surname The Ryan surname is of Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic name “ร Riain.” The prefix…
O'Sullivan: family name history
The O’Sullivan surname is of Irish origin. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic “ร Sรบilleabhรกin,” which was the…
Friel: family name history
The surname Friel is of Irish origin and is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name “ร Frighil,” which signifies…
Kelly: family name history
The Kelly surname, one of the most prolific Irish surnames, has its roots in ancient Irish history. The name derives…
Surname maps
Explore our surname database
We’ve analysed the surnames of Ireland from the 1911 censusย
- Where they lived
- Their occupations
- Their religion
- Their literacy
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Discover Culture
The Origins of "May the Road Rise to Meet You": An Irish Blessing Explained
Few blessings are as widely recognized and cherished as the Irish saying, “May the road rise to meet you.” This…
The Luck of the Irish: Unraveling a Curious Phrase
Have you ever wondered about the origin of the popular phrase “the luck of the Irish”? Often used to describe…
Irish Dog Names
Irish culture is rich with mythology, history, and a beautiful language that can provide unique and meaningful names for our…
Traditional Irish Cuisine: Staple Foods, Dishes, and Ingredients
Irish cuisine is characterized by its hearty, comforting nature, often featuring simple, wholesome ingredients. Stemming from a rich cultural history…
The History and Cultural Significance of the Irish Potato
The humble potato, a tuber native to South America, has played a pivotal role in the tapestry of Irish history…
Irish Tea Culture: A Nation's Love Affair with the Cuppa
In the emerald landscapes of Ireland, where the rhythm of life ebbs and flows with a distinct charm and warmth,…
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