Public Record Office of Northern Ireland
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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4.5
115 reviews
Excellent
82
Very good
18
Average
9
Poor
3
Terrible
3
Donna B 5302
Saco, ME47 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
Located near the Titanic Quarter of Belfast, this new building is spacious, clean and well planned for the researcher. If you are interested in reading this review then you know that the public records office holds those records for Northern Ireland and many for the three counties of Ulster that are still part of Ireland, Fermanagh, Monaghan and Armagh. Before visiting, prepare I.D. documents in order to obtain a visitor pass. This is free but you must have two photo id's and they must contain an address at home. At this point I would suggest you visit their website and search for these details and the materials available to research.
Specifics that I noted:
1. Lockers are spacious, free, and will hold a small wheeled overnight bag. You are not allowed to bring in any bags at all. They provide you with a plastic bag that is big enough for a laptop and several notebooks. That was not a problem. There is also a stand at the entry containing umbrella bags to wrap up that wet umbrella.
2. Pencils only
3. The research tables have electrical outlets, they were all the three pronged GB type I believe. Although some places in N Ireland had options of the two prong round European style, recessed, plugs. The only one I am certain of in Proni was the three prong (220 or whatever that is), but each table had 4 I believe.
4. Wi Fi was easy and free
5. At the time I visited there was no photography, phones or scanners allowed. There is a large scanner, copier available or you can ask for copies. I requested some copies of maps, the guy was out sick and they have to mail them to me...Oh Well.
6. There is a little Cafe, limited hours and limited hot food, but on the premises anyway.
7. Proni is walking distance from Belfast, there are pedestrian walking paths. If you take a cab, the staff at Proni will call a cab for you later if need be.
8. Bring a Thumb Drive and money for paying (they do take credit cards). Some people had trouble with their cards so look up the details on using your cards overseas.
9. Ask for help in using the 'Search' room and the computer search. Sometimes things are listed something like this: D5000/M, then when you go to get that item you don't have the choice to request it, but if you go to D5000/M/1, ah ha, there is your item. Also, learn how to use the basket, they can help you. This will save you a lot of time and frustration (experience talking).
Specifics that I noted:
1. Lockers are spacious, free, and will hold a small wheeled overnight bag. You are not allowed to bring in any bags at all. They provide you with a plastic bag that is big enough for a laptop and several notebooks. That was not a problem. There is also a stand at the entry containing umbrella bags to wrap up that wet umbrella.
2. Pencils only
3. The research tables have electrical outlets, they were all the three pronged GB type I believe. Although some places in N Ireland had options of the two prong round European style, recessed, plugs. The only one I am certain of in Proni was the three prong (220 or whatever that is), but each table had 4 I believe.
4. Wi Fi was easy and free
5. At the time I visited there was no photography, phones or scanners allowed. There is a large scanner, copier available or you can ask for copies. I requested some copies of maps, the guy was out sick and they have to mail them to me...Oh Well.
6. There is a little Cafe, limited hours and limited hot food, but on the premises anyway.
7. Proni is walking distance from Belfast, there are pedestrian walking paths. If you take a cab, the staff at Proni will call a cab for you later if need be.
8. Bring a Thumb Drive and money for paying (they do take credit cards). Some people had trouble with their cards so look up the details on using your cards overseas.
9. Ask for help in using the 'Search' room and the computer search. Sometimes things are listed something like this: D5000/M, then when you go to get that item you don't have the choice to request it, but if you go to D5000/M/1, ah ha, there is your item. Also, learn how to use the basket, they can help you. This will save you a lot of time and frustration (experience talking).
Written 16 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G. W. Haas
Pittsburgh, PA12 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
The location is quite nice and has up-to-date equipment to help even the most novice of genealogy tracker. The staff was quite helpful.
Written 19 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IrelandGirlToo
Portland, OR103 contributions
Oct 2012 • Business
The new PRONI by the new Titanic Quarter is really a great new facility for research. Parking is easy, but a bit of a walk. There is an ATM across the street from parking, were you to need cash, on the wall to the events center. Walking over to PRONI is easy but may be a bit of a distance for elderly. There is a turn around at the front entrance where you can drop off, but not park. When you go in you can get your picture taken for ID and you have this on file with them so it isn't needed to be repeated. There are lockers to store your things and tokens for these are given with the key at the front desk. There is a small cafe that is ok for light snacks, but I find the hotel across the street has better food for those doing days on end research. The main library has several computers that access all records that you then order and go to the next room to retrieve when your number on the screen lights up and tells you what table they will be at for your viewing. If you're doing older research .. before Ireland was divided, you may find records from the south there! There are also books and microfilms to view and do research. They have at least three librarians on staff to help in your search. Happy Hunting!
Written 3 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony F
Belfast, UK2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
Today (22 November 2023) was my first time in the Public Records Office. It can be quite intimidating and overwhelming going into a place like this. I had been meaning to go there for some time and today I had some down time and so was able to go.
The man and woman on reception were lovely and accomodating and told me what to do, where I had to go. They registered me as well. So far so good.
I went up to the first floor and into the research room. I was trying to find some historical information on some relatives (Births/deaths etc.., next of kin, their siblings). I have virtually no knowledge of my mothers side of the family and wanted to spend some time researching it. I hadn't a clue where to start or how to do it so thats why I went to PRONI. The woman at the counter on the first floor came out and did a brief search on their search engine. Her initial questioning and fact finding could have been more detailed and thorough. She could have been much more helpful. If the situation was in reverse I most definitely would have spent more time helping her, showing her how to use the system and gathering names of relatives etc... She left me on my own after briefly searching for me and I had to use a system that I had never used before. In short I got some info on what I was looking for, the records only went so far. I left and went to the canteen and had a bit of lunch which was nice.
Overall, there is room for improvement here. Namely the staff members should be more helpful. As said if this was in reversal I most definitely would have went out of my way to help. Anyway, to each their own.
The man and woman on reception were lovely and accomodating and told me what to do, where I had to go. They registered me as well. So far so good.
I went up to the first floor and into the research room. I was trying to find some historical information on some relatives (Births/deaths etc.., next of kin, their siblings). I have virtually no knowledge of my mothers side of the family and wanted to spend some time researching it. I hadn't a clue where to start or how to do it so thats why I went to PRONI. The woman at the counter on the first floor came out and did a brief search on their search engine. Her initial questioning and fact finding could have been more detailed and thorough. She could have been much more helpful. If the situation was in reverse I most definitely would have spent more time helping her, showing her how to use the system and gathering names of relatives etc... She left me on my own after briefly searching for me and I had to use a system that I had never used before. In short I got some info on what I was looking for, the records only went so far. I left and went to the canteen and had a bit of lunch which was nice.
Overall, there is room for improvement here. Namely the staff members should be more helpful. As said if this was in reversal I most definitely would have went out of my way to help. Anyway, to each their own.
Written 22 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rod shaft
5 contributions
May 2022
I guess that nobody, but mostly the staff in the library, received the email about library etiquette. They must have searched high and low to find the noisiest staff with the loudest voices, babbling incessantly. Communicate and be helpful, for sure, but not like it's the Titanic's engine room. It's an utterly disruptive and unappealing place, as well as being far too restrictive about booking, under the pretense of Covid. I sense that the staff would prefer to be anywhere else, probably at home.
Written 13 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ThongSongGoneWrong
Amsterdam, The Netherlands30 contributions
Apr 2013 • Family
Ever wondered what is the 31st most popular attraction in Belfast, according to TripAdvisor?
Look no further: Shower, pre-drinks then head down to the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.
Discover how suspiciously close your ancestors lived near one another before they emigrated out of this place as quickly as they could.
Look no further: Shower, pre-drinks then head down to the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.
Discover how suspiciously close your ancestors lived near one another before they emigrated out of this place as quickly as they could.
Written 27 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rmcondo
London, UK24 contributions
Mar 2019 • Business
No doubt a great resource but they haven’t a clue when it comes to facilitating research. In the research room, everybody, mostly staff, wanders around babbling at full voice. Then, in comes the guided tour followed by an hour of demonstrating their services amid the researchers.
Dreadful, uninviting place. You may as well conduct your research in the street.
Dreadful, uninviting place. You may as well conduct your research in the street.
Written 8 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rod shaft
5 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Dragged back against my will. It's even worse, with no regard whatsoever for a research environment. Loud, unnecessary staff and visitor shouting and extensive chit-chat, even apart from people blathering at length to visiting groups, right in the reference room.
On top of that, the eatery is worth avoiding.
I think it's run and staffed by lunatics!
On top of that, the eatery is worth avoiding.
I think it's run and staffed by lunatics!
Written 10 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline S
Cheltenham, UK141 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
I am now the proud owner of a 10 year pass to PRONI - the hallowed sanctuary of Northern Ireland's Records. I knew that I have a great grandmother who hailed from the North, but other than she was born in Armagh about 1841, I knew little else about her. Following a visit to a professional genealogist at the Ulster Historical Society who whizzed in and out of sites faster than I could see and learned interconnections between members of my family quicker than I could say 'relative', I came away very grateful and with a list of references to pursue in the PRONI archives. So off I set over the River Lagan, on foot, back into the Titanic Quarter in search of a Will made by my great grand uncle in 1902. Within half an hour, I was holding the original document in my hand and left with a complete photocopy as well as photos. This led to making all sorts of links and connections with actual addresses all over Belfast. What a result from a morning's work on my first day in Ulster!!
Written 28 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul C
Swindon, UK144 contributions
Aug 2018
I visited from England and had completed an online registration two working days ahead of my visit. When I arrived at 9.30am I was able to pay and park right outside (£8 for 7 hours), get a photo ID card (free and valid for 10 years), and was reviewing my first microfilm by 10am. Very good service from the helpful staff. Cafeteria on site. Large, modern building. I can only comment on my use of the search room, which was great. Well done, PRONI !
Written 23 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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