Local history is an important and popular pursuit throughout both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. In the local community setting the study of local history crosses social, political, religious and economic divides and fosters an understanding of the complex forces behind the making of local identity. It can play a vital role in improving community relations and fostering respect for cultural difference. Research in local history is greatly enriched by being conducted in an all-Ireland context. This research project provides the basis for the first all-Ireland register of local history societies, including those affiliated to the Federation of Local History Societies (FLHS), those affiliated to the Federation of Ulster Local Studies (FULS), and those with no formal affiliation to any federation, which comprise by far the largest group. It also assesses the existing linkages between local history societies north and south of the border, and investigates the provision of training/education in local history methodology. Through a major questionnaire survey, and the collaboration of the local history federations, it succeeds in identifying 330 societies, considerably more than was previously estimated, but still an incomplete listing. The research team predict that a complete list would exceed 500 societies north and south, involving an active membership of perhaps 28,000 persons, and reaching into most parishes on the island. Recommendations are made on minimising the obstacles to cross-border cooperation, the promotion of visits to repositories in the other jurisdiction, and the strengthening of the institutional basis of cross-border co-operation, most notably the role of the local history federations. The Border Counties History Collective, Blacklion, Co Cavan provides a working model of effective grassroots, non-threatening, non-centralised collaboration that reaches across religious, cultural and political divides.