Directories, Trade, Telephone & Street (Ireland)

Nature of Source

Irish trade directories were most common from the late 18th century through the early 20th century. The directories typically contained listings of prominent local residents, landowners, officials and traders within a town or village, often accompanied by geographical and topographical descriptions of the place. Some directories were general in scope, while others focused on specific trades or professions and might include brief biographical notes about individual businesses or families. Well-known publishers included Pigot’s, Slater’s and Thom’s.

Although not intended as population records, directories provide valuable insights into local communities and can act as a partial substitute for census data, especially for periods when census records are lost or incomplete. It is important to note, however, that they do not list every resident, entries were often limited to heads of households, business owners, professionals and those considered socially or economically noteworthy. Women, labourers and the poorer classes were rarely included.

Where Found

Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI)

The National Library of Ireland

Linen Hall Library

The North of Ireland Family History Society (NIFHS)

Irish Genealogical Research Society
The library includes trade and street directories among its extensive collection of resources, alongside other materials like books, manuscripts, census records and church records.

Period Covered

1677 – Onwards

Genealogical Value

• Names, addresses and occupations.
• Place names and maps.

Further References

Family History Guides

• Adolph, Anthony. Collins Tracing Your Irish Family History: HarperCollins, 2007
• Begley, Donal. Handbook on Irish Genealogy: How to Trace Your Ancestors and Relatives: Heraldic Artists, 1984
• Caball, Kay. Finding your Ancestors in Kerry: Flyleaf Press, 2015
• Connell, Gretta. Tracing Your Westmeath Ancestors: Flyleaf Press, 2012
• Corrigan, Mario & Durney, James & Kiely, Karel. Tracing your Kildare Ancestors: Flyleaf Press, 2014
• Davis, Bill. Irish Ancestry – A Beginner’s Guide: FFHS, 2001
• Falley, Margaret Dickson. Irish and Scottish-Irish Ancestral Research: GPC, 1981 (1962)
• Franklin, Margaret. Tracing your Limerick Ancestors: Flyleaf Press, 2011
• Grenham, John. Irish Ancestors, A Pocket Guide to Your Family History: Gill & Macmillan, 2004
• Grenham, John. Tracing Your Irish Ancestors: Gill & Macmillan, 2011
• Hamrock, John. Tracing your Roscommon Ancestors: Flyleaf Press, 2007
• Kinealy, Christine. Tracing Your Irish Roots: Appletree Press, 2009
• McCarthy, Tony. The Irish Roots Guide. Dublin: The Lilliput Press, 1991
• McCarthy, Tony & Cadogan, Tim. Tracing Your Cork Ancestors: Flyleaf Press, 2011
• Maxwell, Ian. Tracing Your Ancestors in Northern Ireland: A Guide to Ancestry Research in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland: Stationery Office, 1997
• Maxwell, Ian. Researching Armagh Ancestors: A Practical Guide for the Family and Local Historian: Ulster Historical Foundation, 2000
• Maxwell, Ian. Researching Down Ancestors: A Practical Guide for the Family and Local Historian: Ulster Historical Foundation, 2000
• Maxwell, Ian. How To Trace Your Irish Ancestors: How To Books, 2009
• Maxwell, Ian. Your Irish Ancestors: A Guide for Family Historians: Pen and Sword, 2008
• Maxwell, Ian. Tracing Your Northern Irish Ancestors: A Guide for Family Historians: Pen and Sword, 2010
• Meehan, Helen & Duffy, Godfrey. Tracing Your Donegal Ancestors: Flyleaf Press, 2008
• Mitchell, Brian. A New Genealogical Atlas of Ireland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2009
• Mitchell, Brian. Basic Guide to Irish Records for Family History: Clearfield Company, 2009
• Mitchell, Brian. Tracing Derry-Londonderry Roots: Clearfield Company, 2014
• Mitchell, Brian. NEW Pocket Guide to Irish Genealogy Paperback: Clearfield, 2020
• O’Connor, Michael H. Tracing your Kerry Ancestors: Flyleaf Press, 1994
• O’Dowd, Peadar. Tracing your Galway Ancestors: Flyleaf Press, 2010
• Ouimette, David. Finding Your Irish Ancestors: A Beginner’s Guide: Ancestry.com, 2005
• Paton, Chris. Discover Irish Land Records: Unlock the Past, 2015
• Paton, Chris. Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet: A Guide For Family Historians: Pen & Sword Books, 2013
• Prochaska, Alice, Irish History from 1700: A Guide to Sources in the Public Record Office: British Records Association, 1986
• Raymond, Stuart. Irish Family History on the Web: The Family History Partnership, 2007
• Roulston, William. Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors: The Essential Genealogical Guide to Early Modern Ulster, 1600-1800: Ulster Historical Foundation, 2005
• Ryan, James. Irish Records: Sources for Family & Local History: Flyleaf Press, 1997
• Ryan, James & Smith, Brian. Tracing Your Dublin Ancestors: Flyleaf Press, 2009
• Ryan, James. Tracing your Sligo Ancestors: Flyleaf Press, 2012
• Scott, Jonathan. Tracing Your British and Irish Ancestors: A Guide for Family Historians: Pen and Sword Books, 2016
• Smith, Brian. Tracing your Mayo Ancestors: Flyleaf Press, 2010
• Smith, Brian & Kennedy, Gerry. Tracing Your Clare Ancestors: Flyleaf Press, 2013
• Stewart, Alan. My Ancestor Was Irish: A Guide to Sources for Family Historians: Society of Genealogists, 2012

Other

• Bradshaw’s Railway Map Great Britain and Ireland 1852: Mapseeker Publishing, 2013
• Connolly, S.J. The Oxford Companion to Irish History: Oxford University Press, 2007
• Coogan, Tim, Pat. The Famine Plot: England’s Role in Ireland’s Greatest Tragedy: Palgrave Macmillan, 2013
• Dickson, R.J. Ulster Emigration to Colonial America, 1718-1775: Ulster Historical Foundation, 1976
• Grenham, John. The Little Book of Irish Clans and Tartans: Book Sales, 1995
• Robinson, Philip. Plantation of Ulster: Ulster Historical Foundation, 2000
• Smith, Paul & Turner, Keith. Railway Atlas of Ireland Then & Now: Ian Allan Publishing, 2014

Websites

John Grenham
Irish Historical Directories. Irish historical street and commercial directories described and explained with links to the whereabouts and location of directories.
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland
Street Directories. Street directories are printed volumes listing names of individuals and/or businesses. Most directories have details for Belfast and for the principal towns and villages in Ulster.
Online Historical Directories Website
Links to online city directories covering Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom and the United States.

General Ireland Resources
Irish Genealogy
Irish Genealogical Research: Getting Started. The site offers practical advice and guidance for people beginning their journey into Irish family history research with a number of key recommendations.
FamilySearch Learning Center
Getting Started in Irish Genealogy presented by Marie E. Daly. Lecture designed to acquaint beginning genealogist with strategies and sources for getting started in Irish genealogy
John Grenham
Irish Ancestors. The website is dedicated to Irish ancestry and genealogy research. It offers various tools and resources for people interested in tracing their Irish family history. Key features include a surname search and place name search and guides to researching Irish ancestry.
The Irish Times
How to trace your Irish family history: a step-by-step guide, by John Grenham.
Timeline Research Ireland
Tracing Irish Ancestors Online. A free up to date guide by Nicola Morris.
Irish Genealogy
The site provides information about available church records for family history research in Ireland.
Irish Archives Resource
IAR does not hold any collections itself but helps researchers locate archival records and collections in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland by entering the name of a person, place or subject. The catalogue includes many organisations, societies, political organisations and businesses.
RASCAL
Research and Special Collections Available Locally. An electronic gateway to research resources in Ireland. You can use this website to search and browse information about the wide range of research and special collections held in libraries, museums and archives across the region.
Fianna Study Group
The site offers a comprehensive resource for individuals researching Irish ancestry including:

• Transcriptions of primary sources including birth, death and marriage records.
• Guides to Irish genealogical research, including basics, frequently asked questions and detailed instructions on searching records and understanding Irish naming patterns.
• Articles and timelines covering Irish history.
• County-specific resources devoted to each county in Ireland.
• Emigration and migration help including passenger lists, ship records and resources for tracing Irish ancestors who moved to the USA, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.

Irish Genealogical Research Society
The Society, founded in 1936, is dedicated to promoting the study of Irish genealogy and preserving genealogical materials, particularly those compiled before the loss of many documents in the 1922 Public Record Office fire in Dublin. The Society manages an extensive reference library of printed and manuscript genealogical materials, considered the most important private collection of Irish genealogical resources globally. Details on how to access these materials are available on their website, along with specifics about their contents. The society offers guidance to family historians through its publications and various other resources.
Online Historical Population Reports
Histpop. University of Essex. The collection provides online access to the complete British population reports for Britain and Ireland from 1801 to 1937 including official reports, legislation and essays on the censuses including statistical analysis. The documents on the site include indexes to parishes, townships and places used in the official reports.
Findmypast
Ireland Census Reports. Learn about the community in which your ancestor lived with census reports detailing population and area statistics from the latter half of the 19th century up to the early 20th century. The reports provide statistical details regarding the number of inhabitants in a given townland. The statistical details are broken down by gender, age, or other similar categories.
Findmypast
Ireland Statistical Surveys. Search these surveys from the early 1800s to learn about the history, customs, politics, and industries of these 10 counties: Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, King’s (Offaly), Leitrim, Mayo, Meath, Roscommon, and Tyrone. Discover what pre-famine life looked like for your ancestor.

Townland Resources
Irish Genealogical Research Society
Index of Townlands, 1901. The site offers access to the Index of Townlands from 1901. The index, published in 1904 by the Commissioners of Census, was created as an aid in processing the returns for the 1901 census of Ireland. The index provides an alphabetical listing of townlands and towns in Ireland, along with various administrative divisions such as parishes and electoral divisions.
Irish Townland and Historical Map Viewer
Tailte Éireann (formerly Ordnance Survey Ireland). The service allows users to view historical and townland boundaries and features for the island of Ireland on interactive maps. Enables fast search and pinpointing of particular Irish townlands, names and boundary features.
The IreAtlas
Townland database. Search of the IreAtlas Townland database. The results of a county or townland search show all the townlands within the requested county together with the barony and parish.
nidirect
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. . In this section you can access lists of townlands arranged in the following different ways by county, by parish, within the estates of major landowners and alphabetically.
Irish Homelands
The website offers a tool for exploring Irish townlands. Users can access a detailed list of townlands and search by parish or county if you’re unsure of the townland name.
John Grenham
Irish Placenames. 1851 General Alphabetical Index to the Townlands and Towns, parishes and Baronies of Ireland. Search the entire Index, together with street listings from Dublin, Cork and Belfast cities, more than 65,000 entries in all.
Irish Genealogy
Family Research 2016: Placenames. This article explains and explores how townlands and parishes got their names with links to useful resources.

Online Databases

Findmypast

• Ireland, 19th Century Directories. Search across more than 120 volumes of directories and almanacs for your Irish ancestry. Directories include three popular directories: The Treble Almanac, Thom’s Irish Almanac, and Pettigrew & Oulton’s Dublin Almanac & General Register of Ireland.
• Directories & Almanacs, 1844-1928. The collection of directories and almanacs includes national, regional and local directories. National directories, like those by Pigot, Slater, and Thom, are usually organised by province. They list the principal office holders, gentry, professionals, tradesmen, hotels, schools, public institutions, churches and even pubs for each town in Ireland.
• Ireland, Belfast & Ulster Directories. This collection is a detailed window into the population of Belfast city and the north of Ireland at a time of massive change. Trace the residents of Belfast year by year and find your ancestor’s address and occupation and explore where they lived.
• Irish Catholic Church Directories, 1836-37. This directory lists all members of the clergy and parishes in Ireland for the years 1836 and 1837, as well as much of the Catholic hierarchy throughout the world.

Irish Genealogical Research Society

• Cork Directory, 1787.
• Cork City Stallholders 1845-2005.
• The Dublin Directory, 1775.
• Wilson’s Dublin Directory, 1803. Listing of Dublin’s trades people and professionals with addresses and maps. It also includes a list of the capital city’s streets, lanes and alleyways.

Public Record Office of Northern Ireland
Street Directories. Search scanned copies of those original volumes held by the PRONI covering the years 1819 to 1900 for Belfast and for the principal towns and villages in Ulster.
Library Ireland
The library offers browsable and searchable fully digitised 19th-century street directories and county, city and borough directories including:

• Bassetts Irish County Directories
• Thom’s County, City & Borough Directories
• Slater’s Royal National Commercial Directory of Ireland
• Dublin Street Directory
• Wilson’s Dublin Directory
• Ulster Towns Directory
• Pigot & Co.’s City, Dublin & Provincial Directory

MyHeritage
Directories. Search historic directories covering England, Scotland, Ireland and major cities including London.
SWilson.Info
The site includes a dedicated ‘Directory Database’ with over 1,000 links to historic Irish directories, plus some directories hosted directly on the site and references to free, subscription, CD, or downloadable versions. The site also hosts specific digitised content and specialised indexes from major directories such as Thom’s Dublin Directories and Wilson’s Dublin Directory, 1783.
From Ireland
Free Irish Genealogy. Search hundreds of thousands of free records, compiled by Dr. Jane Lyons, including: gravestone records, gravestone photographs, 1901 census records, 1911 census records, 1931 trade directory records, birth records, marriage records, death records, Lewis’ topographical records, Griffith’s valuation records.
Ancestry

• Ireland, Thom’s Directory, 1904. The directory includes a Dublin street directory with names, addresses, and occupations for residents of other towns and districts in the country.
• Ireland, City and Regional Directories, 1836-1947.
• Web: Ireland, Trade Directory, 1931. Search transcriptions of names, addresses and occupation taken from a 1931 trade directory. The records originate from the From-Ireland.net website.
• Web: Dublin, Ireland, Wilson’s Directory, 1820. Search transcriptions of names, addresses and occupation. The records originate from the From-Ireland.net website.

FamilySearch
Ireland, Ashe’s Limerick and Clare Directory, 1891-1892. The directory includes a brief history of the city, business listings, and an extensive street directory of the city’s residents. This collection was provided in coordination with Findmypast.
The Genealogist
Search Irish directories including the Post Office Telephone Directory for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 1907; Thom’s Directory of Britain and Ireland 1913; Thom’s Directory of Ireland, 1934 and 1941.
Cork City and County Archives
Online collections include Aldwell’s Trade and Postal Directory, 1844/1845; List of Street Traders and Stall Holders in Cork City, 1928
Fáilte Romhat
The site provides extensive free access to historical Irish directories, including Pigot & Co’s (1824), Slater’s (1846), and Pettigrew and Oulton’s (1842) for Dublin. The site also features specialized listings such as Land Owners in Ireland 1876 and Guy’s Postal Directories.
Ulster Historical Foundation
The Foundation is a non-profit organisation founded in 1956, dedicated to those researching the history and genealogy of Ulster and its families. The site offers access to over 2 million searchable records including: Street and Trade Directories.
Lennon Wylie
Belfast Street Directories: Transcribed Belfast trades and residents directories covering the early 19th century to the 1960s.

CD Roms

Irish Family History Centre (Publications include The Post Office Dublin Directory for 1858, various editions of the Treble Almanacks and the Pettigrew & Oulton, Dublin Almanacs 1835 & 1845)
Stepping Stones (Dublin 1927 Street & Trade Directory; Ireland 1927 Peerage, List of MPs and Misc. Directories)
Stepping Stones (The 1927 Ireland Trade Directory)
S & N Genealogy Supplies (Ireland, Belfast and Ulster 1926 Directory)
www.direct-resources.uk.com (C19th Trades Directories: a resource for family historians, local historians and education. Transcribed entries of names and addresses extracted from trade directories covering all the counties of Britain, North and South Wales, Isle of Man, Ireland and some counties of low land Scotland. Prepared and maintained by Dr David Foster)
GenFair
Ireland, Belfast and Ulster 1926 Directory. The Belfast and Ulster 1926 Directory has nearly 2,000 pages covering names and addresses allowing you to search for your ancestors. It contains private residents with their addresses and all sorts of trades people. It also includes information on towns, villages and counties, Government, magistrates, statistics, and more.