Una Sinnott tour guide

26/04/2026

The 1926 Census of Ireland offers a glimpse into the lives of the inhabitants of the newly independent Irish Free State. Here are a few tips to help you use this important new genealogical source to research your ancestors

Here's everything you need to know about using the 1926 Census of Ireland to research your Irish ancestors.

13/04/2026

What does Galway mean? Discover the legend behind the city’s name, and how the story of Galvia is tied to other ancient Irish myths

Galway is a byword for arts and music, festivals and craic. But what does the name Galway mean? Well, it's complicated.

10/04/2026

The 1926 Census of Ireland will be released to the public on April 18. Here’s what you need to know before searching for your ancestors in this exciting new genealogical source

Here’s what you need to know about the 1926 Census of Ireland before searching for your ancestors in this exciting new genealogical source.

31/03/2026

If you have researched your Irish ancestors from the mid-19th century, chances are you have consulted Griffith’s Valuation. Here’s an explanation of the valuation, and why it was created

If you have researched your Irish ancestors from the mid-19th century, chances are you have consulted Griffith’s Valuation.

29/03/2026

Did you know that Galway once had its own time zone? Visit unasinnott.com to discover the history of Ireland's time zones and the changes that brought us to switching the clocks between GMIT and Summer Time. See my stories or bio for a link to read more.

29/03/2026

The clocks went forward last night, so now seems like a good time to remember that Galway once had its own time zone. and look at the changes that brought us to Summer Time

For most of its history, Galway effectively had its own time zone, and this changed as recently as 1880.

02/03/2026

Lionnar ag luí na gréine.
Lionnar: the sparkle of sunlight on water.
Luí na gréine: sunset.

14/08/2025

If you have spent any time researching your Irish ancestors, you will know that it is only a matter of time before you draw a blank in your research — the dreaded brick wall. Here are some tips to get past it

In Irish genealogy, you will inevitably reach a point where you can research no further due to gaps in the available records — the dreaded brick wall.

06/08/2025

What happened to Ireland’s 19th century Census records?

Little remains of Ireland's census records from the 1800s, for various reasons. Find out what's left of Ireland's 19th-century censuses.

04/08/2025

We have a long history of reusing old masonry in Galway. In my latest post, I look at the city's marriage stones, which provide an interesting glimpse into our past

Galway's marriage stones are a fascinating reminder of the city's history. Here's a quick look at what they are and where to find them.