Paul Gorry


Paul Gorry is an Irish genealogist, author and historian, known for genealogical research in the south-west of Ireland and the local history of West Wicklow. He was a founding member of the Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland, serving as president from 2007 to 2010.

Early life and education

Paul Gorry was born in 1959 in Baltinglass, County Wicklow; son of Pat Gorry, a pharmacist, and his wife, Eileen. He was educated locally, attending St Pius X National School in Baltinglass, before going on to receive his secondary education at Baltinglass Post-Primary School.
Gorry's sister Mary, is an amateur golfer.

Career

Gorry began working professionally on genealogical research in 1979, working initially as a freelance researcher for the Genealogical Office in Dublin, before going on to co-found Hibernian Research, Ireland's first independent Irish genealogical company. In 1987, Gorry established his own genealogical firm, Gorry Research.
After Barry Trant McCarthy wrote to the Chief Herald in 1997 questioning the ancestry of Terence McCarthy, recognised as "The McCarthy Mór", Gorry Research was employed by the Genealogical Office produce a report reviewing McCarthy's documentation. This report, submitted as "On the Pedigree of Mr Terence McCarthy of Belfast" in March 1999, identified significant errors and inconsistencies in the documentation, culminating in the Genealogical Office nullifying its recognition of Terence MacCarthy as the MacCarthy Mór.
He returned to Baltinglass in 1999, after living and working in Dublin for 20 years.
Gorry was joint co-ordinator of the Diploma in Family History at Independent Colleges Dublin from 2009 to 2013.
Gorry contributed to the 2018 "Doc on One" about the Battle of Baltinglass.
Gorry has been consultant genealogist for guests at Kilkea Castle since May 2025.
Gorry co-produced Baltinglass Hill & The Holy Year Cross, a documentary film directed by John Hughes, first screened in December 2025 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the erection of the Holy Year Cross in Baltinglass.

Involvement in genealogical and historical societies

In 1979, Gorry became a member of the Irish Genealogical Research Society. He served on the committee of the Ireland branch of the IGRS from 1986 to 1989 and 1997 to 1998. He was elected a Fellow of the society in 2005, and became a vice-president in 2017.
Gorry was a founding member of the West Wicklow Historical Society in 1980, and served as the society's first chairperson from 1980 to 1981. He has held several WWHS offices since, including: minutes secretary from 1996 to 1998 and PRO from 2004 to 2022. Gorry became acting secretary in 2022 after the death of Donal McDonnell. Since 2023, he has been serving a second term as WWHS chairman.
In 1986, Gorry was a founding member of APGI. He served as secretary from 1988 to 1991, and president from 2007 to 2010. In 2022 he was elected a Fellow of the association.
Gorry became a member of the Society of Genealogists in 1987, and was elected a Fellow in 1999.
He was originator of the Irish Genealogical Congress in 1989. This group held four congresses: in 1991, 1994, 1997 and 2001. Gorry served as the congress's chairperson until 2002.
Gorry was also a founding member of the Council of Irish Genealogical Organisations, and served as the council's chairman in 1993.

Publications

Books

  • Tracing Irish Ancestors ; .
  • Baltinglass Golf Club: the first 75 years: 1928 - 2003.
  • Baltinglass Chronicles: 1851-2001 ;.
  • Seven Signatories: Tracing the Family Histories of the Men Who Signed the Proclamation ;.
  • Credentials for Genealogists: Proof of the Professional ;.

    Chapters

  • 'O'Brien's Baltinglass origins' in Chris Lawlor and Donal McDonnell, General O'Brien: West Wicklow to South America, pp 144-61.

    Journal articles

  • 'Wicklow biographies: Brandubh' in Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society, no. 1, pp 22-3.
  • 'The family of Michael Dwyer' in Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society, no. 1, pp 30-6.
  • 'The Valentine family—part 1: Origins' in Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society, no. 1, pp 63-9.
  • 'Index to the Coolattin estate emigration records 1847-58' in Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society, no. 1, pp 78-85.
  • 'Extracts from the Turtle manuscripts' in Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society, no. 1, pp 86-7.
  • 'Main St. Baltinglass 1894 ' in Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society, no. 2, p. 8.
  • 'The Valentine family—part 2: the Valentines of Donard' in Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society, no. 2, pp 22–6 .
  • 'The Greenes and Kilranelagh House' in Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society, no. 2, pp 48–51.
  • 'Index to the Coolattin estate records 1847–58, part 2' in Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society, no. 2, pp 76–9.
  • 'Review: Handbook on Irish genealogy: how to trace your ancestors and relatives in Ireland' in Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society, no. 2, p. 87.
  • 'Index to the Coolattin estate emigration records 1847–58, part 3' in Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society, no. 3, pp 91–5.
  • 'John Thomond O'Brien day in Baltinglass' in Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society, no. 4, pp 83–5.
  • 'Miscellaneous biographical notices relating to Baltinglass, appearing in newspapers, 1748-1904' in Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society, no. 6, pp 32–41.
  • 'Lathaleere – the evolution of a place-name' in Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society, no. 9, pp 11–25.
  • 'Charles Maule Drury – collector of folklore' in Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society, no. 12, pp 152–7.