Irish Resources for Family Historians: Military

The Irish have fought in many wars, and until 1922, mostly as part of the British Army. To locate records pre-1922 you will need to look at British service records. 

The resources and website links on this page will be useful, however, don't forget to use Google as part of your search strategy. There is more information being uploaded daily.

Also, try our guide to English and Welsh Military Records to help locate information in the United Kingdom.

While you are in the Library don't forget to check out our databases:

• Ancestry.com (library edition) - for onsite use only
• Find My Past - for onsite use only

Use Find My Past to locate:

• Indexes to deaths in the UK armed forces -1769 - 2005
• Maritime War deaths - 1794 - 1964
• Marquis de Ruvigny's Roll of Honour - 1914-1918 (biographies of Army, Air Force and navy personnel killed in WWI
• Solders discharged from the Army 1760-1913: pension records (for men receiving pensions from the Royal Hospital Chelsea and the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. These pension records also include those for men who served in foreign regiments 1816-1817.
• Soldiers discharged from the Army 1787-1813: certificates of service
• Soldiers discharged from the Army in Ireland 1783-1822: certificates of service
• Soldiers admitted to pension 1838-1896: certificates of service