Such a trip can be more rewarding than a simple tourist visit to Ireland because you get a more personalized sense of the history, culture, and geography of Ireland. However, it is important to be prepared as best you can before you go to Ireland so that you can have some chance of success.
Careful preparation is needed.
This column draws upon my own experience of making genealogical research trips to Ireland each year on behalf of clients who either are unable to go themselves or in preparation for their own visits to Ireland. It is true that Irish research is difficult, particularly because of the absence or loss of certain important records such as the nineteenth century censuses. On the other hand, Irish research can be particularly rewarding because there is the possibility of using the records that do survive to set foot on the exact plot of ground on which your ancestors lived and worked. You will need to have some fairly specific information about your Irish family before going to Ireland to do research. Usually knowing at least the county of origin is necessary.