Find your ancestors in Ireland's Memorial Record: World War 1

The horror and destruction of World War I 1914 – 1918 was on a scale never witnessed by humankind before. The unprecedented mobilization of men and equipment, combined with a rapid advancement in military technology, resulted in figures of about 37 million military and civilian casualties (deaths and wounded). The eight volumes of Ireland's Memorial Records were created to preserve and commemorate the memory of the thousands of Irishmen who died during the war. The volumes cover the entire island of Ireland, North and South, and contain the names of 49,647 individuals. Compiled by the Committee of the Irish National War Memorial under the direction of the Earl of Ypres, and published in 1923, the publications serves as a lasting memorial to the thousands of Irishmen who died during the Great War.

The actual details recorded varies from record to record. Name, Rank, Regiment and Regimental Number, and in most cases Place of Birth/County are recorded. In many cases Place of Death is also recorded.

Breakdown of Records:

Over 30,986 declared Ireland as their country of birth. For 741 individuals just Ireland was listed. 11,299 were from the six counties of Northern Ireland while 18,946 came from the remaining twenty-six counties. 7,405 had no place of birth recorded. The remaining 11,000 plus had Places of Birth spread throughout Britain, continental Europe, the United States of America, Canada and the rest of the World. These men and women considered themselves to be Irish, of Irish Heritage or fought with an Irish Regiment.

The publication was completed with the addition of spectacular borders to the text by renowned artist Harry Clarke. Scans of each page of the 8 volumes are available to view.

Country of birth

COUNTRYNUMBER
IRELAND30,986
ENGLAND9,162
NONE GIVEN7,405
SCOTLAND1,357
WALES314
CHANNEL ISLANDS165
INDIA82
U.S.A.41
CANADA36
AUSTRALIA21
ISLE OF MAN17
SOUTH AFRICA12
MALTA8
FRANCE5
EAST INDIES3
NEW ZEALAND3
BRAZIL3
BURMA3
CEYLON3
ARGENTINA2
CHINA2
RUSSIA2
JAPAN2
SWITZERLAND1
STRAITS SETTLEMENT1
ITALY1
CHILE1
TASMANIA1
SINGAPORE1
TRINIDAD1
WEST INDIES1
BRITISH GUYANA1
TURKEY1
MAURITIUS1
EGYPT1

County (Ireland) of birth

ANTRIM5,221
ARMAGH1,117
CARLOW324
CAVAN421
CLARE362
CORK2,244
DONEGAL700
DOWN2,048
DUBLIN4,918
FERMANAGH498
GALWAY754
KERRY467
KILDARE580
KILKENNY469
KING'S CO.435
LEITRIM250
LIMERICK820
LONDONDERRY1,356
LONGFORD210
LOUTH449
MAYO720
MEATH341
MONAGHAN343
QUEEN'S CO.368
ROSCOMMON333
SLIGO395
TIPPERARY1,050
TYRONE1,059
WATERFORD634
WESTMEATH416
WEXFORD529
WICKLOW444
NONE741
TOTAL30,986