We report laser cooling and trapping of ²²⁴Ra⁺ ions. This was realized via two-step photoionization loading of radium into an ion trap. A robust source for ²²⁴Ra atoms, which have a 3.6-day half-life, was realized with an effusive oven containing ²²⁸Th, which has a 1.9-yr half-life, which continuously generates ²²⁴Ra via its α-decay. We characterized the efficacy of this source and found that after depleting built-up radium the thorium decay provides a continuous source of radium atoms suitable for ion trapping. The vacuum system has been sealed for more than 6 months and continues to trap ions on demand. We also report a measurement of the ²²⁴Ra 7s^2 1S₀ → 7s7p ¹P₁ transition frequency: 621 043 830 ± 60 MHz, which is helpful for efficient photoionization. With this measurement and previous isotope shift measurements we find that the frequency of the same transition in 226 Ra is 621 037 830 ± 60 MHz, which disagrees with the most precise measurement, 621 038 489 ± 15 MHz, which is used for the recommended value in the National Institute of Standards and Technology Atomic Spectra Database.