Census launch aims to attract American tourists

The Government is hoping to cash in on Americans tracing their Irish roots with the launch of the online 1901 census in New York today.

Tourism Minister Mary Hanafin has travelled to the US to promote the recently-released internet database which will help people explore their ancestry.

The success of television shows such as 'Who Do You Think You Are?' has seen a resurgence in people wanting to map out their family trees.

“Launching the last full Irish census online, dating from 1901, will also encourage more people to look at their history and ancestors,” said Ms Hanafin.

Almost 40 million people living in the US claim Irish ancestry.

The online 1901 census, launched in Ireland earlier this month, has already attracted the interest of more than three quarters of a million people worldwide and tens of millions of hits.

It follows the earlier successful launch of the 1911 census.

Ms Hanafin believes promoting the online census to the Irish diaspora could bring thousands more tourists to Ireland.

“Being able to see the actual return, completed on census night in March 1901 by your blood relatives, can be truly emotional moment for many,” she said.

“We know that when the 1911 census went online there was huge interest from across the globe. This even older census will open up another chapter in people’s efforts to trace their roots.”

Ms Hanafin will also meet industry figures and US media representatives during her visit as part of a Tourism Ireland drive targeting potential American tourists to Ireland.

More than 250 US travel writers will be invited to Ireland this year as part of the campaign.

The minister will also meet actor Gabriel Byrne, Ireland’s first Cultural Ambassador, during the trip.