Buy Emerald Archives a Donate

About Emerald Archives

Ireland’s Story, One Year at a Time

I’m Gerard J. Hannan, an Irish author and historian. After fifty years in journalism and broadcasting in Limerick, I created Emerald Archives to give anyone with an interest in Ireland’s past a place to explore it freely.

The archive has grown considerably since I first began. Its timeline now spans 32,000 BCE to 2000 CE, from Ice Age Ireland to the end of the twentieth century. I’m building it year by year, adding illustrated articles about the people, places and events that shaped Ireland. You can follow the timeline in either direction or explore by county to discover the history of a place that matters to you.

Deep Research gives you another way into the archive. Ask a question about Irish history, or follow up on something you’ve read, and Emerald Archives will prepare a detailed, illustrated article with sources and citations. Your question can lead to a new article that becomes a permanent part of the collection for others to discover.

Emerald Archives is my passion project, and I cover the costs of running it myself. I want the articles to remain free for everyone, whether you’re tracing a family connection, teaching a class or simply curious about Ireland’s past.

If you enjoy what you find here, you can buy me a coffee. Every contribution helps cover the cost of hosting, research materials, illustrations and the ongoing work of keeping the archive online and growing. Sharing an article you enjoyed is another way to help someone else discover the archive.

Thank you for reading, asking questions and helping me keep Ireland’s story freely available.

Gerard J. Hannan

Founder, Emerald Archives

YOU CAN VISIT EMERALD ARCHIVES HERE