Heritage and Genealogy Tours
Emigration became an inherent part of Irish life before independence, especially from the Famine onwards. Although the 1600’s saw a mass emigration of Irish Catholics, the Irish Famine of 1848 was the breaking point for many and the final ultimatum before deciding to leave Ireland in search of a better life.
The peak in Emigration occurred as a result of the Great Famine of 1845-1852. The failure of the potato crop, due to blight, and insufficient provision of alternative food supplies resulted in destitution, death and emigration on a cataclysmic scale.
Some estimate that the Irish diaspora may total as many as 70 million people. The greatest verifiable number is to be found in North America, with some 45 million people having a degree of Irish heritage in the United States.
The deep bond between Ireland and its diaspora is so strong that it is even reflected in the Irish constitution, Article 2, which states that “the Irish Nation cherishes the special affinity with people of Irish ancestry living abroad who share its cultural identity and heritage”. That bond,
plus a longing to trace ancestral roots led us to set up our Heritage and Genealogy tours for those wishing to discover their family roots and we are delighted to announce a collaboration with Fran Bonner, Owner/Director of Bonner Travel, to offer hand-crafted and personalised Irish Heritage and Genealogy tours by expert guides across the thirty two counties of Ireland.
Upon the completion of your ancestry research, Bonner Travel will work with you to create a tailor made genealogical tour itinerary to enable you not only to walk in your ancestors’ footsteps but to introduce you to their townlands, farms and homes, where possible. The end result will be the creation of a once in a lifetime Ireland tour itinerary beginning with meeting you at the airport, to personally guiding you throughout the tour and back to the airport. You will learn not only about the land of your ancestors but also about the history of Ireland, its historic sites and its peoples and much, much more.