IARC made a successful representation with the genealogical education sphere at the RDS during the ‘Back to Our Past exhibition’ at the RDS.

The Irish Ancestry Research Centre (IARC) was recently opened at University of Limerick.  IARC will be a centre of excellence for Irish ancestry and genealogy.

Founded by philanthropist Pauline Ryan and based on campus at University of Limerick, the Irish Ancestry Research Centre is an independent, not-for-profit organisation, providing genealogical assistance and education to a global market, with a particular focus on the USA.

The Irish Ancestry Research Centre will be housed at the Tierney Building on campus, and will provide a research library, one-to-one assistance and training on ancestry research.  The Centre will also provide the opportunity to commission research on family ancestry.

The Irish Ancestry Research Centre website at www.irisharc.org provides more information on the services and research opportunities.

The above image is that of the presentation to the President of Ireland of the McAleese Heraldic Coat of Arms by Pauline and John Ryan. This presentation took place in Dromoland Castle at the 2011 Ireland Funds Conference.

President Barack Obama’s Irish links to Moneygall, Co. Offaly came to light in 2007 following research conducted by Megan Smolenyak.

In 2008, Eneclann researchers, Fiona Fitzsimons and Helen Moss, researched President Obama’s Irish ancestry back from Falmouth Kearney, Obama’s 2nd great-grandfather to Obama’s 7th great-grandfather, Joseph Kearney born ca. 1698.

They also traced close kinship – probably a brother – with the family of Michael Kearney, peruke maker, in Dublin.

Dr. David Butler (IARC) was heavily involved in tracing Obama’s roots in Ireland also. To contact David, email david.butler@irisharc.org.