Graham Norton Ponders His Irish Roots | Who Do You Think You Are

Graham Norton - or Graham William Walker, as he was born - left Ireland when he was young and hasn't looked back - until now. He always felt out of place, growing up in a small Protestant family in the predominantly Catholic south of Ireland. But he now admits that he feels drawn to the country, and wonders if his discoveries might change his view of Ireland. There is only one way to find out.

Graham begins his journey on the trail of his great grandmother, Mary. On her daughter's birth certificate, she is listed as Mary Reynolds, formerly Dooey. But a handwritten document in his mother's possession tells Graham that there was some confusion over her name, and that she was also known as Mary Logan. There is a mystery here. Was there something to hide?

Graham tracks down Mary's marriage certificate of 1895, where she is listed as Mary Logan. No father's name is provided, suggesting that Mary was illegitimate. From baptism records of Mary's children, Graham realises that she must have been eight months' pregnant at the time of her wedding - and recognises the shame that this held in her society. Graham also locates Mary's own baptism record, where she is Mary Jane Logan. So where does Dooey come from? The answer is nestled in the baptism records of one of Mary's siblings, where the father was listed as Fred Dooey, but the name has been scratched out. It is very likely that Fred Dooey was Mary's father, but was not married to her mother when the children were born. Thus Graham has solved the mystery of the Dooey name, and recognises how unusual it was for Mary's mother to have produced four children out of wedlock - and to remain living in the same community throughout. Her 'misdemeanours' must therefore have been accepted, and Graham is pleased to see it.

Graham then turns his attention to his southern Irish Protestant roots, hoping to discover how far back they go. His paternal grandfather, George Walker, was sexton of the Protestant church in Carnew. Land valuation records reveal that George's father was William (and his grandfather Joseph) and was a tenant of the Fitzwilliam Estate - in other words, he was linked to English Protestant planters. Joseph was a pillar of the Protestant community - vestry minutes at Carnew show that he was a churchwarden, which meant that he had the right to levy taxes from Protestants and Catholics alike for the upkeep of the Protestant Church of Ireland.

Still hot on the trail, Graham uses parish records and the Fitzwilliam estate papers to push the family back another three generations, including Thomas, who lived in Carnew through the Irish Rebellion of 1798, when the town was a royalist stronghold, and Carnew Castle the scene of a famous massacre of Catholics. The records show that a certain John Walker, almost certainly a relation, was shot and piked whilst fighting for the royalist cause.

But Graham has still more to discover. With the help of the Fitzwilliam Estate Papers, Hearth Tax records and baptism registers, he is able to trace his first ancestor who went from Yorkshire to Ireland - in about 1713.

And so, although surprised to be a Yorkshireman, Graham declares that he is comforted that his family have resided in Ireland for so many generations and pleased to be rooted so deeply in history.

In each episode one of Britain's best-loved celebrities traces their family tree to reveal the surprising, extraordinary and often moving stories of their ancestors.

We publish new videos twice a week with the most memorable moments from the show. Subscribe now and click on the bell 🔔 to get notifications every time we upload a new video!

[DeidreL]

I love Graham. He’s wonderful, just so wonderful.

[lukethomas]

The handwriting on the paperwork is of another age, beautiful.

[splaws-fksw]

I enjoy this program and admire Graham Norton. When I learned the two came together I had to watch. Well done all around. Graham, I hope you keep interviewing people--hope to keep seeing you on screens in America. xoxo

[quakekatut]

When Graham's mum said, "Enough" I laughed ... Sounded just like my gran and mother telling us to stop our silliness.

[LpMcQuack]

The mom. "Enough " to her grown-up son..😂 love her..reminds me of my mom..

[rsoubiea]

I’m so happy to hear that Reynolds is an Irish name, that’s my mums maiden name. ❤

[hannahmcgahan]

This is like my background on my Dad's side my Grandad was from County Cavan (Cootehill) they all came over in the mid 40's - early 50's they were all brought up Catholic but in order to marry my Nan Grandad had to reuonce his Catholic beliefs as Nan and her family were brought up Church of England (Grandad loved the bones of my Nan) I'd love to trace back his grandparents and see how long the McGahan's have been in Ireland x

[itsnotyouitsme_]

5:02 He almost drove right into the house.. 😅

[dalestaley]

Ireland's loss is the world's gain. Graham Norton is a delightful human.

[gerardmorvan]

I would like to know if there are any plans to issue series 12, 14 and 16 on DVD, if only because I would like to complete my collection.

[heatherspence]

Best face discovery in an old family photo lolol

[cityhawk]

My mother grew up in the same place his mother lives (Bandon, County Cork). That must mean she lives close to Skibbereen.

[reginaromsey]

The Logan Dooley thing could have been a short marriage when she was younger, death, and Return to maiden name. I see that occasionally in my own tree climbing efforts,

[andymarsal]

OMG Graham's mom sitting on the car - she looks just like Steven Fry :D

[windygirl]

I'm thinking the Catholic animus toward Protestants stemmed from the long-ago loyalty to the crown that his ancestors held. This long ago, they still resent.

[zellah]

Don't feel bad, Graham. My relatives had to leave Ireland 100-130 years ago for being poor Catholics.

[judithhand]

Interesting! Neat to see some facts until I'm able to purchase your book(s). I'm so sorry that you had to park in a certain place and that you had to watch how you spoke - what a thing to carry inside! Thanks for sharing this, Graham.

[eg]

Graham's right, his mother is hilarious 😅😅

[xandragc]

Young Graham looks a bit like Matt Damon, doesn't he.

[hablin]

Really funny my family comes from Ahogahill too they were mostly farmers and like yourself being fromN.Ireland we never knew what to call ourselves like u we felt like second class Irish! In Germany where I live now they never get to grips with the whole British Nornirish thing so to them I’m just Irish ☘️