National Library of Ireland (NLI): Kildare Street, Dublin

The National Library’s holdings constitute the most comprehensive collection of Irish documentary material in the world and offer an invaluable representation of Ireland’s history and heritage. 

The National Library of Ireland (NLI)

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FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH

Every year thousands of people visit the National Library of Ireland to carry out family history research. The library offers a free walk-in service for those looking to trace their family history, and also genealogy workshops and talks. Here you can search  microfilm of Newspapers, the Catholic Parish Registers (now online) and other records that can be used as census substitutes.

ESTATE PAPERS & MAPS

If your ancestor lived as tenant farmer then you will want to check out their landlord's estate papers for records such as leases and deeds, rentals and account books, maps and correspondence. Information on landholdings of individual tenants, may contain detailed maps of parts of the estate.

For records belonging to estates held by the NLI, search the NLI Catalogue and Sources database. 

To connect a landlord/ lessor on Griffith's Valuation with the name of his Estate, click on this Landed Estate Database (Connacht & Munster only).

READING ROOMS

The National Library is a closed stack reference library which means that books and other items in their collections can’t be browsed or borrowed and must be ordered for consultation in their reading rooms. For that, you need a reader's ticket. The NLI's collection of Printed, Manuscript, Visual, and Digital material can be searched in advance using their Online catalogue.

LOCATION

The National Library, is located in the centre of Dublin, directly opposite the National Museum of Ireland.

The National Museum of Ireland

OPENING TIMES

Exhibitions  Open 7 days a week

Genealogy Advisory Service   Mon - Wed: 9.30am - 5pm; Thurs & Fri: 9.30am - 4.45pm Sat: 9.30am - 12.45pm (June - September)

Main & Manuscripts Reading Room, Kildare Street  [CLOSED SUNDAY & MONDAY] Tues & Wed: 9.30am - 7.45pm; Thurs & Fri: 9.30 - 4.45pm; Saturday: 9.30am - 12.45pm