St Patricks Day is approaching on the 17th of March and MyHeritage is certainly celebrating the occasion. The popular genealogy website is offering free access to 14 million Irish records from yesterday (March 14th) until the 19th  of March 2023.

To search the free Irish records click here.

Fun facts about the history of Ireland

Ireland is a wonderful country full of beauty and culture. Interestingly, 33 million Americans self-identify as Irish — almost 7 times the current population of Ireland! Below are 5 other great facts about Irish history:

  1. Patrick’s Day: St. Patrick’s Day, which is celebrated every year on March 17, is a religious and cultural holiday that honours the patron saint of Ireland. However, the holiday originated in the United States, not in Ireland. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in New York City in 1762.
  2. Celtic Civilisation: The Celts were an ancient civilisation that lived in Ireland and other parts of Europe from around 500 BC to AD 400. They were skilled metalworkers and created intricate jewellery and weapons. The Celts also had a rich mythology and folklore, which has influenced Irish culture to this day.
  3. The Great Famine: The Great Famine, also known as the Potato Famine, was a period of mass starvation and disease in Ireland from 1845 to 1852. It was caused by a potato blight that destroyed the main food source of the Irish people. The famine resulted in the death of an estimated one million people and the emigration of another one million.
  4. Easter Rising: The Easter Rising was an armed insurrection against British rule in Ireland that took place in April 1916. The rebels, led by Irish nationalist Patrick Pearse, seized key buildings in Dublin and declared an Irish Republic. The rebellion was quickly suppressed by British forces, but it inspired a new generation of Irish nationalists and ultimately led to the creation of the Irish Free State.
  5. Good Friday Agreement: The Good Friday Agreement, also known as the Belfast Agreement, was a peace agreement signed in 1998 that ended decades of conflict in Northern Ireland. The agreement established a power-sharing government and recognised the rights of both Irish nationalists and unionists. It has been credited with bringing stability and prosperity to Northern Ireland.

Image Source:

  • Photo by Cole Keister: instant images

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