Hi Grace.

Irish embassy is correct - you need a visa to be able to travel to Ireland. Attached link will give you further information.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en..._national.html

"If your family members are not nationals of the EU or EEA, they will need to apply for residence cards and may also need entry visas. There is no fee for the residence card. They will also need to register with the Garda Síochána and receive an Immigration Certificate of Registration (usually called a GNIB card). As dependants of an EU citizen, they will be exempt from the general fee of €150 for this certificate."