Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland
The Office of the Chief Herald, formerly the Genealogical Office (GO), has been a part of the National Library of Ireland since 1943.
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The Office of the Chief Herald is currently not accepting any new applications for grants or confirmations of arms. We are not in a position to answer general queries about heraldry. All queries pertaining to the Genealogical Office Manuscript (GO MS) Collection should please be directed to mqueries@nli.ie. Queries relating to family history should be directed to genealogy@nli.ie. |
Heraldic responsibility for Ireland had previously been the remit of the Office of the Ulster King of Arms, founded in 1552. Since 1943, the Chief Herald of Ireland has been responsible for the granting and confirming of arms to individuals and corporate bodies in Ireland. Section 13 of the National Cultural Institutions Act of 1997 sets out the statutory functions of the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland. All arms granted are recorded in the centuries-old Register of Arms series maintained by the Office.
Archives of the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland
The records of the Office are referred to as the GO manuscripts. You can view these in the Manuscripts Reading Room. Many of the historic heraldic manuscripts (GO) are digitised and are accessible via the online catalogue.
History of the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland
While the earliest reference to a herald of arms for Ireland dates from 1382, the position of Ulster King of Arms, Herald of all Ireland, was formally created by the Tudor King Edward VI in 1552. In addition to granting and confirming arms, the Office of Arms or Ulster’s Office was responsible for administering protocol and precedence at the Irish Court and worked closely with the administration in Dublin Castle. The Ulster King of Arms was a Crown appointment for life and so, following Irish independence, the last Crown appointee, Sir Neville Wilkinson, continued in office as Ulster King of Arms until his death in 1941.
In 1943, the Office of Arms was transferred to the control of the Irish State and renamed the Genealogical Office, and the archives transferred to the care of the NLI. The first Chief Herald of Ireland was Dr Edward MacLysaght. Since 1943, the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland has operated as part of the NLI, and the NLI appoints the Chief Herald. Since 2010, the position of Chief Herald has been associated with the Department of Special Collections.
Heraldic Services
The Chief Herald of Ireland may grant arms to those who meet one of the criteria below:
- A citizen of Ireland or a person who is entitled to become a citizen.
- A person resident in the State for at least the five-year period immediately before the date of application.
- A public or local authority, corporate body or other entity which has been located or functioning in Ireland for at least five years.
- An individual, corporate body or other entity not resident or located in Ireland but who or which has substantial historical, cultural, educational, financial or ancestral connections with Ireland.
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Applicant |
Fee |
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Personal grant or confirmation of arms |
€4,400 |
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Local authorities, Government offices and agencies |
€8,600 |
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Schools, clubs, professional associations and other non-profit organisations |
€8,600 |
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Corporate bodies (commercial) |
€17,250 |
Herald Queries
Office of the Chief Herald
National Library of Ireland
Kildare Street
Dublin 2, D02 TR76
Email: herald@nli.ie
Genealogical or family history queries can be directed to genealogy@nli.ie