Public Projects
National Heraldic Survey
Back in 2013, the Board agreed (Res: 13/10/1051) to establish the Irish Heraldic Atlas
Project as a new national and international heraldic project for Heraldry Ireland aimed at
promoting an awareness, appreciation and knowledge of Ireland’s heraldic heritage.
However, several issues delayed the launch of the project, including the need to create a
program that could be used across various platforms. Unfortunately, the persons with
expertise in some areas associated with the development of the project had retired from the
Board to pursue other interests. The development of the project was eventually put into
abeyance.
The Society’s Development Plan, 2022-2027, agreed by the Board in 2022 (Res:
22/05/1669), provided a more structured basis for the implementation of the 2013 proposal
and an updated version of the original proposal was produced with the following objectives:
1
To create an on-line database on the use of heraldry on public monuments,
funerary monuments, buildings, and other structures throughout Ireland to include
a photograph and details on location, description, history, biographical and
genealogical information, custodian, condition, and other such details as may,
from time to time, be considered necessary or appropriate.
(www.heraldryireland.com)
2
To create an on-line database on the use of heraldry by civil society including
corporations, institutions, tradespersons, sporting organisations, clubs, and
associations to include a photograph and details on the location, description and
meaning, history, ownership and whether registered, assumed or adapted from
Sept/Clan Arms.
3
To collect, categorise by use, type, and symbolism etc to facilitate the creation of
an on-line map of the locations of the use of heraldry throughout Ireland.
4
To facilitate the collection of data from overseas on monumental heraldry with
associations to Ireland to include a photograph and details on location,
description, history, biographical and genealogical information, custodian,
condition, and other such details as may, from time to time, be considered
necessary or appropriate.
5
To create an on-line and/or portable photographic exhibition on the use of heraldry
in Ireland and to have such as an educational and cultural resource.
6
To create a unique archival and artistic resource to inform and inspire the design
of new heraldic achievements; encourage and assist academic research in the
fields of cultural heritage, identity, sociology, ethnocultural and local history
studies.
Heraldic Submission
Heraldic Database
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Irish DNA Atlas
The Irish DNA Atlas is a population DNA study of the island of Ireland, run by researchers at RCSI in collaboration with the Opens in new windowGenealogical Society of Ireland. Participants of the study provide a saliva sample (from which we can extract genetic data) and genealogical data (which provides recent ancestry information). Analysis of this genealogical information by the Genealogical Society of Ireland allows the selection of participants whose eight great-grandparents have all been born within 50km of each other – meaning that the recent genetic and genealogical ancestry each Irish DNA Atlas participant is representative of a specific location within Ireland.