The Irish Genealogical Research Society is a learned Society and was established in 1936 in the Office of the York Herald, London. The founding members were deeply concerned at the loss of much material of genealogical value and their priority was to collect copies of materials compiled prior to the destruction of the Public Record Office in Dublin in 1922. The core of our unique reference library was formed from the personal collection of both printed and manuscript materials which belonged to the Irish genealogist, Father Wallace Clare, the founder of the Society. It has been greatly expanded by subsequent donations from members.