David -- I too am just learning about researching Ireland. Today I visited a Family History Center (LDS you know, Mormon). I stumbled onto a microfiche set that has births/christenings, and marriages, presumably deaths also. They are small records -- Search the province, Laoighis, for your surname. There won't be "that" many records. Hopefully, you'll see your ancestors name matched by birthdate. The county and parish, or at least a town should also be there. Here's an example of one couple I found: Marriage records, 1845-1870 Ireland. General Registry Office John Dempsey to Margaret Cassell, 22 June 1846, Lea, Laoighis, Ireland If you have birthdates, have you already tried www.familysearch.org? They were closing the center as I found these records. I'm guessing I'm supposed to order a film now. I did find the above record on the familysearch.org website later, but one can't search the site by Irish county, town, or other, that I know of. Can't wait to hear what other researchers will suggest to you.