Do you have Irish ancestors and want to find out more? The Ulster History and Genealogy Summer School can help you do just that.

Running from 20 - 26 June 2012, and organised by the University of Ulster and the Ulster Historical Foundation, the residential summer school is based at the University’s Belfast campus (in the heart of Cathedral Quarter – the city’s vibrant cultural area).

Now in its third year, the school has proved a great success with participants travelling from the United States, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, England, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Students are taught by professionals who are expert in their field and keen to share their knowledge.

The central idea is that to fully appreciate family history you need an historical sense of place and so with this in mind, participants will attend lectures, be assisted in carrying out research at Belfast’s main archives and libraries and discover the history of Ulster first-hand through excursions to some of the province’s most historic sites.

Tutors include: the University of Ulster’s Dr Allan Blackstock, who will teach local history and set the context for a sense of place;

Dr William Roulston of the Ulster Historical Foundation will teach genealogy and Drs Brian Lambkin and Paddy Fitzgerald will cover migration.

As the summer school is run in partnership with the University of Ulster, those taking part will be registered as students of the University for the duration of the school. This will allow access to the University library, computer suite and also its extensive range of electronic resources.

The course finishes with a certificate presentation held at the university.

With great hotel accommodation provided by The Premier Inn (only minutes away from campus) the Ulster History and Genealogy Summer School provides a fantastic opportunity to trace your Irish heritage and spend time Northern Ireland and Belfast – recently described by National Geographic magazine as one of the Top 10 destinations in the world.

For further details about the course, contact Allan Blackstock on a.blackstock@ulster.ac.uk or visit the website on http://www.ancestryireland.com/summerschool/testimonials/

Here’s what past students have to say:

Melanie McLennan – Ontario, Canada

“It’s a wonderful week of meeting people from all over the world, who are interested in experiencing Irish culture and discovering Ulster history, all the while sharing one’s enthusiasm for genealogy with people who don’t think you’re mad!

“Dr William Roulston and Dr Allan Blackstock are an excellent teaching tag team with sincere interest, enthusiasm, and a local’s understanding for sharing the Ulster history and genealogy that lies within their own backyard."

Rebecca Crittenden – Alabama, USA

“The support was phenomenal! Tutors were all so knowledgeable and so nice. I could not have asked for more.”