It's that time of year again – the start of the academic year – and with it comes a long list of new courses in Irish genealogy research. Most of the courses below have an enrolment or application date in the next couple of weeks, so act quickly if you're intending to get started.
Belfast - Stranmillis
Family History course over 10 weeks at Stranmillis University College, Belfast on Tuesdays, 7-9pm. Covers census, church and civil records as well as wills, estate papers and valuation documents. The course also includes a visit to the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI). Fee: £55.00 (Concessions £45). Details or tel: 028 9038 4345.
Cork - City Centre
Genealogy course held over 10 weeks, with tutor Tony McCarthy. Western Gateway Building, Room 304, University College Cork. Tuesdays 2-9pm, starting 25 September. Focusses on genealogical sources, methodology and historical/social context. Fee: €230. Details or tel: 021 490 2301.
Cork - Distance Learning/Cork City
NUI Diploma in Genealogy Studies at University College Cork. A distance learning diploma (NFQ, Level 7) specially tailored for adult learners wishing to obtain a third-level qualification in their locality. The course is offered on a part time basis over two years. It comprises fieldtrips to archives, interdisciplinary training, supervision of written essays and a thesis/dissertation on the topic of your choice, in a contextualised genealogical framework. University tutors and lecturers will attend UCC, Western Road, Cork City weekly. Fee: €1,360 per annum (Concessions €1,000 pa. Details or tel: 087-9215715.
Dublin - Bellfield/Stillorgan
An Introduction to Genealogy (also module one of University College Dublin's Certificate of Genealogy course), with tutor Sean Murphy. 10-week afternoon course on Wednesdays, 2-4.30pm, from 26 September to 5 December, except 14 November; Venue: Stillorgan Park Hotel. OR 10-week evening course on Wednesdays 7-9.30pm at Bellfield Campus from 26 September to 28 November. Fee for either course €300. Details.
Dublin - City
Diploma in Family History, delivered in conjunction with The Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland (APGI) at Independent College, 60-63 Dawson St, Dublin 2. Tutors Paul Gorry and Eileen Ó Dúill. Tuesdays 6:30-9:30pm.12 week course from 9 October 2012 to 15 January 2013 (no classes 18 Dec to 1 Jan inclusive). €895. Details. Tel: 01-6725058.
Dublin - Blackrock
Genealogy - Family History Research course, with tutor Tom Coughlan guiding students through the finding out stage and then advising on how to set out an attractive family tree.Venue: Newpark Adult Education Centre, Newtownpart Avenue, Blackrock. Tel 288 4376. 8-week course held on Tuesdays 7.30-9.45pm. Fee €130. Details from tutor.
Dublin - Dundrum
Genealogy - family research for beginners, with tutor Máire Mac Conghail APGI, at Dundrum Adult Training and Education (D.A.T.E.), Dundrum town centre. 10-week course. Wednesdays 9.30-11am. Starts 26 September. Fee €105 (Concessions €50). Details.
Dublin - Kilternan
Genealogy for beginners, with tutor Máire Mac Conghail APGI, at Kilternan Adult Education Centre, Ballybetagh Road, Kilternan, Dublin 18. A hands-on practical course on how to research family history. 10 week course. Wednesdays 12-2pm. Starts 19 September €143. Also, Genealogy continuation course for those who have completed a beginner's course. Thursdays 12-2pm. 10 weeks. Starts 20 September. Details.
Dublin - Malahide
How to research your family history, with tutor Claire Bradley. This course shows students how to start their research, where to go and how to record what they find. Topics covered include the census, bmds, church records, wills and newspapers. It's aimed at the beginner researcher, but some computer skills are desirable. Mondays, from 24 September. Fee: €110. Malahide Community School. Enrolment evening 18 September, but online enrolment also possible. Enquiries: adulted@malahidecs or tel: 846 0949.
Limerick - ULL or Online
Certificate in the History of Family and Genealogical Methods. One-year ECTS-accredited certificate course at University of Limerick on Thursday evenings 6.30-9.30pm (or online at a slightly higher cost of €784). The course is designed to cater for all people with a serious interest in history of family and genealogy methods. Assessment is portfolio based and concentration can be placed on developing your own family tree and contextualisation of place of origin. Details. Deadline for applications is Tuesday 11 September. Email.
Louth - Dundalk
Genealogy course over 8 weeks at Bush Post Primary, Riverstown, Dundalk. Mondays 7.30-9.30pm. Course will concentrate on tracing your family roots throughout Ireland, north and south Optional Guided Tours of Local and public libraries will be available in order to facilitate students which will enable them to carry out their own research. Starts 1 October. Fee €99. Details or tel: 042-9376246.
Newcastle, UK
Trace your Irish ancestors, with Newcastle City Learning. 10-week Beginners course at Tyneside Irish Center, 43 Gallowgate, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 4SG. Thursdays 3.30-5.30pm. Fee: £58 (Over 60s £43.50, Concessions £5). Enquiries: Tel: 0800 073 0911 or 0191 298 6960.
Tipperary - Templemore
Genealogy-Researching your Family History, at Templemore College of Further Education. Some of this 10-week course will not be classroom based. Maximum number for class is 10 students. Mondays 7-9.30pm. Starts 24 September. Fee: €200. Details or tel: 504 31007.