The National Library of Ireland expects to welcome the 10,000th visitor to its genealogy service today. Between 45 and 80 people have availed of the service each day since it began just over a year ago, despite the fact that the library has never promoted it.
Nearly 80 per cent of the people who have used the service so far are visitors to the State. Almost 40 per cent of the total number of users are American, with another 10 per cent from Britain and 8 per cent from Canada.
According to Ms Colette O'Flaherty of the library, the time visitors spend researching their family history is for many "the highlight, if not the sole focus, of their trip to Ireland".
Most visitors were referred to the service by way of personal recommendations from friends and relatives, while others found out about it through inquiries at tour operators or Bord Failte offices abroad.
The service, run by a panel of genealogists and other library staff, provides visitors with an overview of genealogical records and gives advice on specific family research.
Library staff say the dedicated service has improved conditions in the main reading room by freeing staff to concentrate on other services.
A bottle of champagne will be presented today to the 10,000th caller at the facility, which is located in the main library building in Kildare Street, Dublin.