1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, tablet, or other device when you visit a website. They are widely used across the internet to make websites work more efficiently, to provide a better user experience, and to give website operators information about how their site is being used.
Cookies are stored in your browser and allow a website or a third-party service to recognise you when you return to the site. They can remember your preferences, track your browsing behaviour, and enable certain features that would not work without them.
Cookies can be categorised in several ways:
- By duration: Session cookies are temporary and are deleted when you close your browser. Persistent cookies remain on your device for a set period of time or until you delete them manually.
- By origin: First-party cookies are set by the website you are visiting (in this case, IrelandRoots.com). Third-party cookies are set by a different domain, such as an analytics provider or affiliate network.
- By purpose: Cookies serve various purposes including essential functionality, analytics, advertising, and preference storage.
In addition to traditional cookies, we may also use similar technologies such as local storage, session storage, and pixel tags. For the purposes of this policy, we refer to all such technologies collectively as "cookies".
2. Types of Cookies We Use
IrelandRoots.com uses the following categories of cookies:
2.1 Essential Cookies
Essential cookies are strictly necessary for the operation of our Website. They enable core functionality such as page navigation, access to secure areas, and remembering your cookie consent preferences. Without these cookies, certain parts of the Website cannot function properly.
These cookies do not collect personal information that could be used for marketing purposes. Because they are essential to the operation of the Website, they cannot be disabled through our cookie settings. However, you can block them through your browser settings, though this may affect Website functionality.
Legal basis: Legitimate interest (strictly necessary for Website operation). Consent is not required for essential cookies under the ePrivacy Directive.
2.2 Analytics Cookies
Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our Website by collecting and reporting information about page views, traffic sources, user journeys, and engagement metrics. This data is typically aggregated and anonymised, meaning we cannot identify individual users from analytics data.
We use analytics data to improve our content, identify popular pages and topics, understand how users navigate our site, and optimise the user experience for Irish players. Analytics cookies help us answer questions such as: Which casino reviews are most popular? Which guides are most helpful? How do users typically find our site?
Legal basis: Consent. Analytics cookies are only activated after you provide consent through our cookie settings.
2.3 Affiliate Tracking Cookies
As an affiliate website, we use tracking cookies to record when a user clicks on an affiliate link and is referred to a casino operator's website. These cookies enable our affiliate partners to attribute registrations and deposits to our Website, which is how we earn commissions.
Affiliate tracking cookies typically contain a unique click identifier and are set by the affiliate network or casino operator (making them third-party cookies). They do not contain your personal information, and we do not use them to track your browsing activity across the internet.
Legal basis: Consent and legitimate interest. Affiliate cookies are activated when you click on an affiliate link, which constitutes an active request for the linked service.
2.4 Preference Cookies
Preference cookies (also known as functionality cookies) allow our Website to remember choices you make and provide enhanced, more personalised features. For example, they may remember whether you prefer the mobile or desktop navigation layout, or your position on a long page when you navigate away and return.
These cookies improve your experience but are not strictly essential for the Website to function. If you disable them, certain convenience features may not work as expected.
Legal basis: Consent.
3. Specific Cookies We Use
The following table provides details of the specific cookies used on IrelandRoots.com:
Essential Cookies
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cookie_consent | IrelandRoots.com | Stores your cookie consent preferences so the consent banner is not shown on every visit | 12 months | First-party |
| session_id | IrelandRoots.com | Maintains your session state as you navigate between pages | Session | First-party |
Analytics Cookies
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users by assigning a randomly generated identifier. Used to calculate visitor, session, and campaign data for analytics reports | 24 months | Third-party |
| _ga_* | Google Analytics | Used by Google Analytics 4 to persist session state | 24 months | Third-party |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users for analytics purposes within a 24-hour period | 24 hours | Third-party |
| _gat | Google Analytics | Used to throttle request rate to Google Analytics, limiting data collection on high-traffic sites | 1 minute | Third-party |
Affiliate Tracking Cookies
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| aff_click_id | Various affiliate networks | Records a unique click identifier when you click an affiliate link, enabling the affiliate network to attribute your referral to IrelandRoots.com | 30–90 days | Third-party |
| aff_sub | Various affiliate networks | Stores sub-tracking parameters that help us understand which pages and placements generate referrals | 30–90 days | Third-party |
| partner_id | Various casino operators | Identifies IrelandRoots.com as the referring affiliate partner | 30–90 days | Third-party |
Preference Cookies
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nav_state | IrelandRoots.com | Remembers the state of the mobile navigation menu | Session | First-party |
| scroll_pos | IrelandRoots.com | Stores scroll position on long pages for user convenience | Session | First-party |
Note: The exact cookies set by third-party affiliate networks may vary depending on the specific casino operator and affiliate programme. The names listed above are representative examples. Actual cookie names may differ.
4. Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies on our Website are set by third-party services rather than by IrelandRoots.com directly. These third-party cookies are governed by the privacy policies and cookie policies of their respective providers, not by this Cookie Policy.
The third-party services that may set cookies on our Website include:
- Google Analytics: Web analytics service provided by Google LLC. Google Analytics uses cookies to collect anonymised data about how users interact with our Website. Google's privacy policy: policies.google.com/privacy
- Affiliate networks: Various affiliate tracking platforms used by the casino operators we feature. These platforms set cookies to track referrals from our Website. Each affiliate network has its own privacy and cookie policy.
- Casino operators: When you click an affiliate link and visit a casino operator's website, that operator may set cookies on your device. These cookies are subject to the casino operator's own privacy and cookie policies.
We do not control the cookies set by third parties. If you have concerns about third-party cookies, please consult the relevant provider's privacy policy or use the cookie management tools described below.
5. How to Manage Cookies
You have several options for managing and controlling cookies:
5.1 Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically find cookie settings in your browser's "Privacy", "Security", or "Settings" menu. The following links provide instructions for managing cookies in popular browsers:
- Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data
- Mozilla Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
- Microsoft Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies and site data
- Opera: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies
You can configure your browser to block all cookies, block only third-party cookies, or prompt you before accepting cookies. You can also delete cookies that have already been stored on your device.
5.2 Google Analytics Opt-Out
You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking specifically by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on, which is available for all major browsers. This add-on prevents Google Analytics JavaScript (ga.js, analytics.js, and gtag.js) from sharing information with Google Analytics about your visit activity.
5.3 Do Not Track
Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) signal that requests websites not to track user behaviour. While there is currently no universally agreed standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals, we respect the intent behind this feature and aim to minimise tracking for users who have enabled it.
6. Impact of Disabling Cookies
Disabling cookies may affect your experience on our Website in the following ways:
- Disabling essential cookies: May prevent certain core features from working correctly, such as page navigation and session management.
- Disabling analytics cookies: Will not affect your browsing experience. However, it will prevent us from collecting anonymised usage data that helps us improve our content and site performance.
- Disabling affiliate tracking cookies: Will not affect your browsing experience or the bonuses you receive at casino operators. However, it may prevent us from receiving affiliate commissions, which is how we fund the operation of this Website and provide free content to our readers.
- Disabling preference cookies: May result in a slightly less personalised experience, as the Website will not remember your preferences between visits.
Blocking all cookies entirely may cause significant functionality issues on many websites, not just IrelandRoots.com. We recommend selectively managing cookies based on your preferences rather than blocking all cookies.
7. GDPR & ePrivacy Compliance
Our use of cookies complies with the following regulations:
- General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR): Where cookies process personal data (such as unique identifiers), we ensure a lawful basis exists for that processing, typically consent or legitimate interest.
- ePrivacy Directive 2002/58/EC (as amended): We obtain consent before placing non-essential cookies on your device. Essential cookies that are strictly necessary for the provision of the service you have requested are exempt from the consent requirement.
- Data Protection Act 2018 (Ireland): We comply with Irish data protection legislation in our collection and processing of personal data through cookies.
- European Data Protection Board (EDPB) guidance: Our cookie practices align with EDPB guidelines on consent and the use of cookies and similar technologies.
Under these regulations, we are required to:
- Inform you clearly about the cookies we use and their purposes (this Cookie Policy).
- Obtain your consent before placing non-essential cookies on your device.
- Provide you with an easy way to manage your cookie preferences.
- Allow you to withdraw your consent at any time.
For more information about how we process personal data, including data collected through cookies, please see our Privacy Policy.
8. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use, changes in technology, or changes in applicable law. When we make changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page.
We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically. Material changes may be communicated through a notice on our Website or by updating our cookie consent mechanism. Your continued use of the Website after changes to this policy constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
9. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy, our use of cookies, or how to manage your cookie preferences, please contact us:
- Email: [email protected]
- General enquiries: [email protected]
- Contact page: irelandroots.com/contact
For concerns specifically about data protection and your rights under the GDPR, please visit our Privacy Policy or contact the Data Protection Commission (DPC) at www.dataprotection.ie.