Genealogical Society of Ireland
A growing number of third level institutions around the world include diaspora and migration studies as components of wider Irish Studies programmes. The link between diaspora studies and genealogy is clear and in order to cater for this growing interest, the Society has produced an innovative and exciting proposal based on its long-held objective to establish an Irish Institute for Genealogical & Heraldic Studies. This proposal has been developed from three earlier documents produced in 1994, 2006 and 2011. Over the past twenty three years the Society has amassed a considerable expertise in the provision of research training through workshops, group discussions and projects, lectures and visits to repositories. Since 2011 the Society, in conjunction with Ancestor Network Ltd., has provided classes at the facility at the Carlisle Pier. It is intended to expand on these classes to possibly include a Summer School. The Society’s proposal for the establishment of an ‘Irish Institute of Genealogical & Heraldic Studies’ which incorporates a ‘Centre for Diaspora & Migration Studies’ has enormous potential for the creation and maintenance of a new cultural, heritage and educational facility in Ireland. It is envisaged that this facility would provide a range of services to the public and to visitors to Ireland. These services range from the provision of information to visitors on ancestry research to the provision of accredited courses and on-going academic research into genealogical, heraldic, vexillological, social history, migration and diaspora studies. The facility would be an important cultural, heritage, educational and tourism asset for the Dublin region and for Ireland as it would be a unique establishment providing specialised and innovative services to a world class standard. The Society’s proposal is ambitious and farseeing in its objectives as the growth areas in tourism, for example, are essentially those related to culture, heritage and ancestry. The proposal aims to meet the service requirements of this sector and to simultaneously provide training and research opportunities for those seeking employment in the sector. The provision of diaspora and migration studies as part of this proposal recognises the unique opportunities afforded by location, in Dublin and in easy reach of the main repositories, and specialisation allowing for the facility to become a leader in this field in Ireland and linked throughout the world with similar centres of excellence. A number of locations throughout Ireland are vying to be chosen as the site for the development a National Diaspora Centre, however, given its proximity to Dublin and its unique association with emigration from the ‘Pier of Tears’ that, in the opinion of the Society, Dún Laoghaire Harbour offers the best possible location for such an important national cultural, heritage and educational asset.
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RECOMMENDATIONS 9.1.
That consideration is afforded to the inclusion of diaspora and migration studies in any public policy initiatives or frameworks aimed at promoting an awareness, appreciation and knowledge of our genealogical heritage at home and overseas.
Genealogical Society of Ireland
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