The death of Muirín O’Briain, Vice-President of the Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland (APGI), occurred on 27 May 2007. Though she had suffered a long debilitating illness, her death was unexpected. She was universally liked and respected, and her many friends were greatly saddened by her passing a short time before her 59th birthday.

Muirín played a prominent part in the Irish Genealogical Congress committee over the years and served from 1997 to 2001 as secretary of the Ireland Branch of the Irish Genealogical Research Society. During that time she played a pivotal role in creating the now annual IGRS Open Day. She joined in 1995, and in December 2006 she became its Vice-President. One of her genealogical interests was in identifying the Burgess ancestral line of her famous grandfather Cathal Brugha. She liked murder mysteries and re-reading the works of Jane Austen. Her social conscience made her a long time fundraiser for Concern.

Muirín was a very special person. She bore her illness without complaint, and her unassuming and gentle ways won her the admiration of all whose lives she touched. hosted a Mass for her friends on 4 July 2007 at which 600 Euro was raised as a donation to Concern in her name.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Anne is an Irish citizen through her grandmother who was born in Kilbannon, County Galway. Anne has been living in Ireland for 15 years, in County Galway and County Clare, her genealogy practice built on her familiarity with American records and ways they can lead researchers to a family’s home place in Ireland. Besides tracing the Irish ancestors of Americans and others around the world, she traces relatives in the USA for family historians on this side of the ocean.

Anne Rodda has a Doctor of Letters degree in Irish Studies from Drew University in New Jersey, USA, based on course work in the history, literature and culture of Ireland. Among her publications is a book version of her doctoral dissertation, Trespassers in Time: Genealogists and Microhistorians.

Memberships:
Society of Professional Investigators (New York)
Irish Association of Professional Historians