New research has revealed the average Irish adult has more than 14,000 living relatives.

The research, released on World DNA Day, is based on new genetic data from the AncestryDNA network, which has over seven million people.

However of the more than 14,000 living relatives, 99% of these are completely unknown to us.

Across the Republic of Ireland, those in the province of Ulster have the most living connections - with the typical person there having an average just over 17,000 genetic cousins.

This contrasts with Connacht, where the number drops to 13,504 - a lower figure than anywhere else in the country.

Natives of Gweedore, Co Donegal outside their thatched house | Image: Supplied

Munster sees the second highest number of living connections, with the average person there having just over 14,000 cousins.

Leinster is the second lowest, with an average of 13,706 relatives.

Russell James from AncestryDNA said: "DNA Day commemorates scientific discovery and the key milestones that forever changed our understanding of the code that makes us who we are.

"We've come a long way since the double helix was discovered in 1953 and the fact that we're now able to use that pioneering science in our own homes to enrich our lives and make new connections with relatives we never knew existed is remarkable."

The figures consider the average number of genetic eighth cousins or closer the average adult has: this means those who share a traceable ancestor born in the last 200 years.