Vendor Biography

I’m Paul Gorry, a native of Baltinglass in West Wicklow.  History (general, local and family) forms the framework through which I see the world.  From as far back as I can remember genealogy was always going to be my calling.  I began my career as a freelance researcher for the Genealogical Office in Dublin, later setting up my own business, Gorry Research, in 1987.  Having lived in Dublin for twenty years, I returned to Baltinglass over two decades ago, continuing a research practice covering all of Ireland from my home town.

Writing is another of my passions. I’ve written articles on local, family and golf history for various journals, magazines and newspapers over the years.  In 1997 my first book Tracing Irish Ancestors, written jointly with my colleague Máire Mac Conghaile, was published.  Since then I wrote the three books available here, as well as two editions of Credentials for Genealogists and three privately circulated family histories commissioned by clients.

I believe that credentials in professional genealogy are important, and I hold mine from Accredited Genealogists Ireland.  Due to my deep interest in local and family history, I’ve also been a member for decades of the County Kildare Archaeological Society, the West Wicklow Historical Society, the Irish Genealogical Research Society and the Society of Genealogists [London].

When I’m not researching or writing reports, I may be found drinking coffee somewhere with friends or colleagues, or pottering around a graveyard for divarsion.