‘DIASPORA OF THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY’

‘Diaspora of the Wild Atlantic Way’ 

Family History Conference in Ennis, Co Clare, September 2016

The third International family history conference Diaspora of the Wild Atlantic Way will take place in Ennis on the 23^rd to 24^th September 2016. The main theme of the conference is the movement and migration of people from the west coast counties of Ireland to Scotland, Britain and beyond. It will also address emigration after 1916 and will feature a focus on genealogy in the future. The event brings together experts and family historians from around the world to share their knowledge and expertise. The Society has diaspora members in Europe, America and Australia and beyond and many of them are travelling to the event. While it will appeal to individuals from any of the counties along the western seaboard and throughout Ireland, it also will be of interest to researchers of local and family history. 

Hosted by the Clare Roots Society, who are celebrating their tenth anniversary in 2016, the keynote speaker will be renowned author and genealogy blogger Dick Eastman from the USA, who is making his first trip to Ireland. Dick is the author of Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter which is published daily and has been involved in genealogy for over 30 years. 

Our opening lecture.... on Friday the 23^rd of September is by

Gavin Wilk, independent historian based in County Tipperary. From the Rising to Refuge: America and the Irish Revolution in this centenary year addresses those who left Ireland after 1916 and their experience in America. An exhibition of emigrant’s stories will also be displayed on the night followed by a short talk by Mike Feerick of Ireland Reaching Out will officially launch the conference. The evening will conclude with the conference dinner. 

Another confirmed speaker at the event will be the famous Scottish genealogist and author of over 30 books, Dr. Bruce Durie who is currently a Fulbright scholar in the USA researching migration. He will speak on Irish emigration to Scotland. Dr. Durie is Honorary Fellow in Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies within the Centre for Lifelong Learning at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.  

Author and genealogist John Grenham will share his experience of researching emigration from the west of Ireland. Known for his weekly column in the Irish Times, he has researched, written and lectured on genealogy in Ireland for over thirty years. 

Travelling from Australia to speak at our conference is Pauleen Cass who is a researcher and blogger, Blogging at: Family History Across the Seas. She will discuss the reasons why emigrants chose Australia over America and other destinations and has a particular research interest in people who left from East Clare. 

The conference will take place in Treacys West County Hotel in Ennis. Special accommodation rates are available for conference attendees. Please mention the Clare Roots Society when booking. 

For further details contact secretary @clareroots.org.