Many Want to Be Irish for St. Patrick's Day but Maybe You Already Are?


BOSTON, MA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 03/06/06 -- IrishAbroad.com, the site
dedicated to all people around the world that have an interest in
anything Irish, announced the launch of its facility to help users
find out just how Irish they are at www.irishabroad.com. There are
almost 40 million Irish Americans and about 70 million people
worldwide who claim Irish ancestry.


IrishAbroad.com is one of the most popular Irish communities online.
The site currently has 198,000 registered members and during the month
of March traffic to the site reaches a staggering 4 million page
impressions.


"Many North Americans have Irish roots but may not realize it,"
commented IrishAbroad.com president, Myriam Hooper. "This year in
advance of St. Patrick's Day we have made a special effort to allow
users check out their roots and history of their family name. We have
also launched a new travel service, where people in the US who perhaps
wish to travel to Ireland to trace their roots can book their trip to
Ireland from start to finish. We also have a free bi-monthly draw for
members to win two round-trip flights to Ireland."


Many of the Irish first came to America on the infamous famine ships
from the 1840s and the new facility allows researchers to find out if
their family name appears on many of the ships' passenger lists. The
roots section on the site contains a huge section on family names.
IrishAbroad.com is one of the first websites to establish a
comprehensive genealogy research section and to employ top genealogy
expert Kyle Betit to help solve problems faced by families trying to
figure out where they came from in Ireland.


The site can be used to locate the family crest and download it as a
screensaver. Family photo albums can also be posted online and the
family register containing 1000s of names is where people can find and
share information about their family name or ancestors.


There is also a fun online quiz which checks out how Irish are you?


For the really enthusiastic the online shopping facility features a
giant leprechaun suit to wear at the St. Patrick's Day party and
impress family and friends (or not!). The less flamboyant can buy a
Claddagh ring engraved with their family crest.


And if you are looking for love then the site includes a dating
service. And, wherever you are, if you want to wet the shamrock,
IrishAbroad.com includes a guide to Irish pubs worldwide.


About IrishAbroad.com


IrishAbroad.com connects the global Irish community. The site is
dedicated to all people around the world that have an interest in
anything Irish. A portion of this audience comprises of the 70 million
people worldwide who claim Irish descent. For press opportunities,
contact Valerie Harding with Ripple Effect Communications at
617-536-8887 or email her at vharding@recommunication.com