NLI celebrates St Patrick’s Day with launch of new website

The website is the most popular way in which the public access the national collection held by the NLI.

In 2022, there were over 1.2 million page views on the NLI site. The redesigned website makes it easier and more accessible to explore the NLI’s rich collection of items and learn more about Ireland’s cultural heritage through its exhibitions and educational programmes. The NLI events calendar includes a variety of online exhibitions, tours, events and courses which can be enjoyed online from anywhere in the world.

A special section on the website devoted to family history allows visitors to delve deeper into their ancestral history. The NLI holds many records and resources that visitors can use to trace their ancestors, including its collection of Catholic Parish Records, which is digitally accessible.

Speaking about the redesigned website, Director of the NLI, Dr Audrey Whitty said: “We are especially proud to present our newly-designed website in time for St Patrick’s Day. The project has taken over two years to deliver, and it now feels like a timely gift to the people of Ireland, and those with Irish links around the world. The site has strong accessibility features, making it seamless and pleasurable to navigate, both in the Irish and English languages.

“For anyone reflecting on their Irish heritage over the coming days, it’s possible to search for connections to your birthplace, family or key events in Irish history that may be represented in our collection. Or, you can sit back and enjoy tours and events, or book your place on some of the many online or in-person events that we have lined up for spring.

“Redeveloping a website is a hugely resource- and labour-intensive project. I am indebted to the NLI team who supported this project, and to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for making funding available to us.”

With its mission to collect, protect and make accessible the recorded memory of Ireland, the NLI cares for over 12 million items telling the story of the nation and its people, at home and abroad. Over 140,000 of these items including books, photographs, maps and ephemera are accessible online.