GSI CELEBRATIONS

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Cumann Geinealais na hÉireann
Genealogical Society of Ireland

OFFICIAL OPENING & 20th ANNIVERSARY

Tuesday Nov. 9, 2010

PRESS STATEMENT

The Minister for Tourism, Culture & Sport, Ms. Mary Hanafin, TD, officially opened the new Headquarters and Archive of the Genealogical Society of Ireland at a ceremony held at the Harbour Lodge, Dún Laoghaire on Monday November 8, 2010.

The ceremony also included a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the Society in 1990. Members and friends of the Society were joined by An Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr. Lettie McCarthy, Mr. Seán Costello, Chairperson and Board of Directors of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company; County Councillors, and the President, Vice-Presidents, Board of the Genealogical Society of Ireland

This is a very special day for the Genealogical Society of Ireland as it celebrated two important milestones in the history and development of Ireland’s most active genealogical organisation.

The official opening of the Society’s Archive or An Daonchartlann (The People’s Archive) and the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the Society.

Ever since the foundation of the Society in October 1990 one of its main objectives was the establishment of a genealogical archive in Dún Laoghaire for items collected or donated by the Members and friends of the Society. A number of premises held the archival collections over the years, including the Martello Tower at Seapoint.

Pádraic Ingoldsby, Cathaoirleach of the Society explained how the Society acquired the new premises “last year, thanks to Gerry Dunne, Chief Executive of the Harbour Company and, of course, through the good offices of Cllr. Victor Boyhan, the Harbour Company decided to offer of the premises at the Carlisle Pier in May 2010 to the Society. Fully refurbished the Society began its operations at the new premises in July 2010.

It’s a superb location with ease of access and ample parking right in the heart of what could become the ‘heritage precinct’ of the Town and Harbour of Dún Laoghaire”.

Society Cathaoirleach, Pádraic Ingoldsby, concluded by sincerely thanking and commending the Harbour Company for its decision to enhance the heritage potential of this area by allocating the premises to the Society.

The Minister unveiled the commemorative plaque saying “I want to congratulate all involved in getting us to this proud day for the genealogy in Ireland. Helping people tracing their ancestors and the wider study of genealogy is a great service in the community. The opening of the new headquarters at the Carlisle Pier provides an opportunity now to promote this area as the ‘heritage precinct of Dún Laoghaire’ encompassing the Maritime Museum, new County Library & Cultural Centre, the Society’s Archive, the Pavilion Theatre and the Harbour itself. The tourism potential of such a precinct could be enormous and adds to the vibrant cultural and historical attractions in the area.”

“As an international as well as a national organisation, the Society has contributed enormously over the past twenty years to the promotion and development of an awareness, appreciation and knowledge of our genealogical and heraldic heritage’ and as such, it also created a Special 20th Anniversary Award of a Fellowship of the Society for ‘an outstanding contribution to genealogy”.

The Society’s Cathaoirleach called upon the Minister to present the award to Mr. John Grenham, genealogist, teacher, author and Irish Times columnist who becomes a Fellow of the Genealogical Society of Ireland.

The Minister presented the award to Mr. Grenham whose publication ‘Tracing Your Irish Ancestors’ is now regarded around the world as ‘the genealogist’s bible’ for Irish research. (photograph by Tom Conlon)

Mr. Seán Costello, Chairperson of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, thanked the Society for co-hosting the event and wished the GSI Archives every success at the Carlisle Pier, Dún Laoghaire Harbour.

Michael Merrigan, MA, FGSI
General Secretary
Genealogical Society of Ireland
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