A new iPhone application has helped record numbers of people all over the world trace their Irish roots in the wake of President Barack Obama's visit to Ireland last month.
The free app, designed by Irish web company, Emerald Origins, gives those interested in tracing their origins a brief family history, with locations and photos, all at the touch of a button.
The Dublin based company says interest in the application has jumped a massive 300 percent since his high profile visit to Dublin, and especially Moneygall, on May 23.
The eyes of the world descended on Moneygall after President Obama traced his maternal great, great, great-grandfather, Falmouth Kearney, back to the County Offaly village.
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Richard Egan, Managing Director of Emerald Origins said "It's unprecedented. The day after the Presidential visit, we were nearly overcome with people wanting to trace their Irish roots and find out more about their Irish ancestry. The website received massive amounts of hits from all over the World."
In the United States 40 million people claim Irish Ancestry and while there was a sharp increase in the amount of American visitors, there was also massive interest from people on the Emerald Isle.
"It's interesting…while we expected a large amount of interest from the States and Australia, we've been really surprised with the amount of Irish people who want to find out where they come from too" said Egan
The company also reported a massive rise in English visitors since the Queen's visit. "The amount of interest we've seen from the UK has rocketed in the last 4 weeks, it's taken us totally by surprise" he continued.
The app will be launched on July 6 2011.
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