Ireland Reaching Out

01/07/2026

🍀 The Power of Connection: Bringing Ancestors Back to Life 🍀

"You gave me my grandmother back. Not just a name on a census record, but a real woman with fourteen brothers and sisters, a mother named Catherine Phelan, a father named John, and a family rooted in Kyleballynamoe for generations."
— Midge Woods, Idaho, USA

What began as a search for one ancestor became the rediscovery of an entire family and community.
The impact of Ireland Reaching Out reaches far beyond family history research. This July, Midge will travel to Ireland with her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter on a family pilgrimage to walk the roads of Freshford and Kyleballynamoe, reconnecting with the places her ancestors once called home.

"Annie's story did not end in Kilkenny. It became my story too."
Stories like this remind us why Ireland Reaching Out exists. Every message board post, every volunteer response, and every piece of local knowledge has the power to reconnect families across generations and continents.
To all our incredible volunteers who generously share their time, expertise and passion for local history—thank you. You help people around the world discover not only their ancestors, but a sense of belonging and connection to Ireland.

🌍 Do you have Irish roots you're trying to trace?
Visit the Ireland Reaching Out Message Board and connect with our global community of volunteers and family history enthusiasts.

👉 www.irelandxo.com
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03/06/2026

🌍 Where in Ireland does your story begin?

At IrelandXO, every parish has a story to tell — and every family has a place they can call home.

https://irelandxo.com/ireland-xo

By joining your Parish of Origin on IrelandXO, you can:

☘️ Connect with others researching the same area, ask questions and get answers from local volunteers
☘️ Share your family's journey
☘️ Build connections with the place your ancestors once called home

Whether your ancestors left Ireland generations ago or you still live in the parish today, becoming part of your parish community helps keep local stories alive and strengthens connections across the global Irish family.

Your parish is waiting for you.

👉 Log in to IrelandXO and join your Parish of Origin today.

What parish does your family come from? Tell us in the comments below!

Please share to your local groups

29/05/2026

☘️ This is such a lovely example of the impact local volunteers can have. ☘️

Sometimes people think is just records and archives, but stories like this show it’s really about connection — to people, place and identity.

Jovanna Sauro travelled from to Moneyglass, Co. Antrim recently after spending months researching her McCann family history. Through Ireland Reaching Out, she connected with local volunteer Elwyn Soutter who brought her around the area, shared local history and helped bring her family story to life.

From visiting the church where her great-grandparents married in 1901, to walking through the townlands where her family once lived, it’s clear how meaningful the experience was for her and her husband.

Huge thanks to Elwyn and all of the IrelandXO volunteers who quietly do this work all across Ireland. It genuinely makes a difference.

https://irelandxo.com/ireland/antrim/duneane/message-board/a-meaningful-journey-back-to-my-mccann-roots-in-moneyglass-county-antrim

Volunteer Ireland

18/05/2026

In recognition of National Famine Memorial Day (May 17th), Ireland Reaching Out in partnership with Alison - Free Empowerment Platform, is proud to launch:

The Great Irish Famine: History, Diaspora & Global Legacy — a free online course exploring one of the most significant events in Irish history.

Created by historians Loretto Leary and Elizabeth Stck, the course examines the human impact and global legacy of the Great Irish Famine.

One of the most striking aspects of the course is the eyewitness testimony from visitors to Ireland during the Famine years. These accounts describe scenes of poverty, hunger, displacement, and despair that can be difficult to comprehend from a modern perspective. Yet they also reveal resilience, dignity, and survival in the face of unimaginable hardship.

Learn more 👉

Learn the history of the Great Irish Famine (An Gorta Mór) in this free course. Explore 19th-century context, ancestral research records, and the Irish diaspora

07/01/2026

A Journey Home to Roscommon - Celebrating Community Connections! 🌍💚 🌿🇮🇪

At Ireland Reaching Out, we believe every journey home is special — and it’s volunteers like Kenny who make these moments truly unforgettable.

What started as a simple message on the IrelandXO platform turned into a heartfelt journey of discovery. Kenny went above and beyond, helping uncover family connections, local history, and the stories that make Roscommon so special.

This is what Ireland Reaching Out is all about: connecting people with their roots, one conversation at a time. Every volunteer, every message, every shared memory brings the Irish diaspora closer to home.

If you’ve ever wondered about your Irish heritage or want to help others find theirs, join us at www.irelandxo.com. Together, we keep the Irish story alive across generations and continents.

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17/12/2025

Discover Ireland’s Stories on Our Blog

Looking for inspiration, heritage insights, and fascinating tales from Irish communities around the world?

Our blog is your gateway to:

✅ Heritage Highlights – Explore the traditions, history, and culture that shaped Ireland.
✅ Community Stories – Read real-life experiences from people reconnecting with their Irish roots.
✅ Travel & Tips – Get advice for planning your ancestral journey to Ireland.
✅ Latest Updates – Stay informed about events, projects, and opportunities to get involved.

Whether you’re tracing your family tree or simply love Irish heritage, our blog brings the past to life and connects it to today. Start exploring now and join the conversation!

https://irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/news