There's no set pattern to Christmas and New Year closures at the main repositories and libraries for Irish genealogical research, so make a note of these details before organising any family history trips over the festive season:
Public Records Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI), Belfast
PRONI will close at 4:45pm on Thursday 20 December. It will be open on Friday 21 December until 4:15pm but will then close until 10am on Thursday 27 December. There will be no late night service on that day. Otherwise, normal hours continue to end of the year. Closed Tuesday 1 January, reopening Wednesday 2 January.
General Register Office of Northern Ireland (GRONI), Belfast
GRONI will be closed Monday 24 to Wednesday 26 December inclusive, and again on Tuesday 1 January. Otherwise operating a normal service to standard hours.
All local libraries in Northern Ireland
Closed Monday 24 to Wednesday 26 December inclusive, and again on Tuesday 1 January. Normal hours outside of these closures.
National Archives of Ireland, Dublin
The Reading Room will be closed from 12.30pm on Monday 24 December 2012 until 10am on Thursday 27 December. Normal hours 27, 28 and 31 December. It will be closed on Tuesday 1 January 2013, reopening 10am on Wednesday 2 January. Note: there will be no Genealogy Advisory Service on Christmas Eve.
National Library of Ireland, Dublin
The National Library Reading Room will close on Friday 21 December at 4.45pm, reopening Wednesday 2 January. Exhibitions will, however, be open except 24-26 inclusive and 1 January. See details.
Representative Church Body Library, Dublin
The Library will be closed from 5pm Friday 21 December 2012 until 9.30am Wednesday 2nd January 2013.
General Register Office, Dublin
The Research Room at the Irish Life Centre in Dublin will be closed from lunchtime on Christmas Eve, 24 December, until 9:30am on Thursday 27 December. Normal working hours on 27, 28 and 31 December. Closed Tuesday 1 January. Reopening with normal hours Wednesday 2 January.
Irish Genealogical Research Society Library, London
The Library in the crypt of St Magnus the Martyr will be open 2-5pm on Saturday 22 but closed on 29 December. Normal pattern resumes Saturday 5 January 2013.
Society of Genealogists, London
The Society closes for Christmas at 4pm on Saturday 22 December and reopens at 10am on Thursday 27 December. Normal hours 27-29 December. Closed Monday 31 December to Monday 7 January inclusive for stocktaking.
The National Archives UK, London
TNA will be closed on Saturday 22 December to Wednesday 26 December inclusive. Reopens with normal hours on Thursday 27 December but closed Tuesday 1 January.