
Visiting Dublin for the First Time? Here's What to See and Do
Here's where to go to get the most out of your first trip to the Irish capital.
If you’re curious about your Irish background, head over to the Irish Family History Centre for an exciting way to look for your ancestors and discover new strands of your unique family story. Part of EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, the center can be an illuminating place to spend a few hours during your trip to Dublin.
At the Irish Family History Centre, you can access a large amount of digitized Irish family history information: birth, marriage, and death records; census records; parish records; travel and migration records; and more. Genealogy experts are also on hand to help out. A short consultation is included in the price of admission; for an additional fee, you can book a more in-depth consultation with a genealogist.
Visit only the center, or purchase a combination ticket that includes entrance to EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum.
The Irish Family History Centre is a must for people of Irish descent who want to learn more about their ancestry.
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum and the Irish Family History Centre are fully wheelchair-accessible.
Located in the CHQ Building in Dublin Docklands, the center is a 10-minute walk from O’Connell Bridge. The nearest Luas tram stop is George’s Dock (red line), a 2-minute walk from the center, as is the Custom House Quay bus stop. Tara Street railway station, served by DART and Irish Rail, is less than a 10-minute walk away.
The Irish Family History Centre is open every day (except December 24–26): Monday through Friday from 10am to 5pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 5pm. If you’re visiting with a combo ticket, give yourself enough time to explore the museum as well.
The Irish Family History Centre aims to help guide visitors on their ancestry journey. As you leave the center, you’ll receive a list of different websites and places around Dublin that can help you continue your research, as well as perks such as free trial subscriptions to genealogy services.