For questions about ancestors and records in the country of Ireland. Prior to Irish independence from the UK in 1922, this country included the entire island of Ireland. For questions about Northern Ireland (after 1922), use the northern-ireland tag.
Ireland is an island off the west coast of Britain, which in turn is off the west coast of mainland Europe. Currently it is divided into Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kingdom) in the north-east one-sixth of the Island, and the Republic of Ireland in the remainder. Between 1801 and 1922, the whole of the island was part of the United Kingdom.
