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heritage trip planning

Hello! I am in the beginning stages of planning a heritage trip to Ireland. I have visited twice before and seen many of the major tourist sites, but this time I want to focus on visiting the exact locations where my ancestors lived. I can take as long as a month at this time (more in the future!), and I am looking for advice on how long to stay in each area and how I might get the most out of the trip. Most of my ancestors immigrated as single young people post Famine, so I have quite a few!! Namely: Castletowncooley area and Carlingford, Co. Louth (Toner/Hanlon/Cassidy/McArdle); Beara Peninsula (possibly Tragalee, Lauragh?), Co. Kerry (McCarthy); Donoughmore, Mallow, Co. Cork (Linehan/Cremin/Walsh/Coakley); Castlebar area of Co. Mayo (Roache/Malley); Killucan Parish, Co. Roscommon (Dowd/Cox). 

Broad thoughts, ideas on how to approach this trip? I would be interested in staying in a location for at least several days and exploring the area from there; meeting with locals and certainly any possible cousins; perhaps accessing some records that might not be available online or by other means (although I don't want to spend most of my time in a library...); hiking/walking/exploring the landscapes; taking in local music (we are a very musical family, with most of us either singing or playing an instrument).

I know that Americans are known for over-romanticizing the island, so I don't want to fall prey to that particular vice, but I certainly can be sentimental. I guess I want to get a feel for the land, the people, and the culture. Depending on the elections results here in November, i may be looking for real estate as well, haha!!

thanks for any advice you can offer, both in general and about any of the specific locations I mentioned!

Peg McCarthy, Topeka, Kansas, USA

Peg McCarthy

2 replies

Peg:

You list five different areas in Ireland so I assume you plan to rent a car for you trip. Do you know the exact townlands where you various ancestors left from? Our volunteers can help with identifying townlands if you provide us with the particulars names/years of birth etc. so we can try to find church and civil records related to your ancestors.

Based on your areas of interest, you would want to fly into Dublin and go north to Co. Louth. After Louth, go west to Roscommon and Mayo and then south to Kerry and Cork. You could spend 4-5 days at each area and have time to visit other areas also.

My wife and I have made over ten trips, renting a car and moving from one area to another within a two week window,

Once you finalize your plans, you can fill out our Meet and Greet form https://www.irelandxo.com/meet-and-greet

So let us know which areas you need assistance in identifying where your ancestors lived.

Roger McDonnell

 

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

If you stay on Beara, you won't be disappointed. I recommend Cappa House B&B or cottage in Eyeries, a visit to the mining museum in Allihies, Castletownbere, and Derreen Gardens. It's a lovely part of Ireland.

glanvil3@aol.com

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