It's a very sluggish starter in terms of genealogy and history events, but here are some goodies to help you get back in the swing:
To 13 February: The Story of Belfast, an exhibition telling the story from prehistoric times (the Giant’s Ring), through Medieval times, the Plantation, and the granting of the Town Charter in 1613, to Belfast’s industrial might in the late 1800’s and the early 1900’s. Venue: Falls Road Library, 49 Falls Road, Belfast BT12 4PD. Free admission. Email or phone 028 9050 9212 for details.
Tuesday 7 January to 26 January: Morpeth Roll exhibition. Naughton Galley, Lanyon Building, Queen's University, Belfast BT7 1NN. Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 11am to 4pm. Free.
Wednesday 8 January: Belcamp House and the Markievicz connection, with Pat Quigley. Host: Malahide Historical Society. Venue: Prebyterian Church Hall, Dublin Road, Malahide, Co Dublin. Admission €4. Non-members welcome. Details.
Thursday 9 January Presbyterians in East Belfast, with Rev Prof L Kirkpatrick. Host: East Belfast Historical Society. Venue: Belmont Tower, 82 Belmont Church Road, Belfast BT4 3FT 7:30pm.
Thursday 9 January: The little ships in Ireland's history, an illustrated talk with Pat Sweeney. Host: Mount Merrion Historical Society. Venue: Fitzwilliam Rooms, Mount Merrion Community Centre, North Avenue, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin. 8pm. Non-members €4 (Students €2. Details.
Friday 10 January: Italian fascists and Irish rebels – Ireland and Italy 1920-1922, with Dr Mark Phelan. Host: Military History Society of Ireland. Venue: Griffith College, South Circular Road, Dublin 8. Time: 8pm. Non-members very welcome.
Saturday 11 January: Practical family history advice, from Mayo Genealogy Group at the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo. Drop in with your queries from 11:30am to 1pm. New researchers welcome. Free. No booking required.