I have Irish roots on my mothers side. I am three generations removed from my Great Great Nellie O'Grady that came over with her family from Ireland. I can't tell you exactly why they came over, maybe during the potato famine. But I can trace one side back to Ireland and even have some old property deeds from Ireland, which are not exactly valid any more, but still have value as family history.
I bet that' great to see a piece of family history like that Konquererz, most things from that time era don't survive, so look after it well!
My ancestors also come from Ireland, on my Mother's side, both her Mum and Dad's ancestors are from Ireland, we don't even have any photos though.
I intend to try to trace my family history on my Mum's side, once my Dad's family history is completed.My Dad's side has taken years to track down, but hopefully it will be completed soon.
I would love to visit Ireland, to get a better insight into my background.
There are some good websites out there to help trace your roots down and there is some software applications which can do all the searching you need to.
Of course, I would also thoroughly recommend a holiday here, even if you don't have roots here
I can't remember dates offhand but I know that the various places that kept documentation were looted and burned somewhere between 1920 and 1924.
If your great grandfather came from one of the areas that looting occurred then it may be impossible to trace him