This document discusses several projects at the Geary Institute aimed at understanding trends in health and well-being in Ireland over time. It finds that early life conditions are important for later health outcomes, and that conditions in the 1930s-1950s continue to impact the current aging population. Studying the health of Irish emigrants and using natural experiments can help disentangle the effects of early life factors from other influences. Analysis of a harsh winter in 1947 suggests early life shocks have long-term health consequences, particularly for lower socioeconomic groups. Understanding early life conditions is key for policymakers.