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Family Genealogy Trip in Ireland
Glengarriff, Ireland
It only took me 34 years to visit my family’s ancestral homeland of Ireland. Joined by my parents & sister, we traveled to the Emerald Isle to research our history.
Like most Americans, I’m a mutt. My family immigrated to the United States from Ireland, Poland, Germany and England. Mostly from Ireland though — including my paternal grandmother.
Concentrating on the side of the family with the most recent links to Ireland, we decided to visit the area where my grandmother was born. A small south-western coastal village called Glengarriff in County Cork.
I was especially excited for this journey, as it was the first time that my family members were going to travel with me internationally, and years since we’d traveled together for any kind of road trip. Woohoo!
Guinness For Breakfast
Dublin Castle
Arriving In Dublin
The first order of business once we arrived in Dublin after checking into the was originally built as a defensive structure for the city of Dublin, later serving as residence for the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland who governed for the King of England. These days it’s used for presidential inaugurations and state functions.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
. We watched the whiskey process from start to finish and tasted the difference between single grain, single malt, and age.
Rock of Cashel
Port Town of Cobh
Irish Genealogy Road Trip
Now that we’d experienced a taste of Dublin, it was time to embark on the core mission of this trip. Searching for any information we could find about my grandmother’s life in Ireland before she sailed to Boston in 1930.
Prior to traveling to Ireland, my sister Lindsay had done some research on perched on a hillside overlooking the town. It was here we met the cheery owners Paudie & Kathleen.
They would be the key to unlocking the mysteries of our quest.
We explained that we were in Glengarriff as part of a genealogy trip, and asked if they might remember my grandmother or her family. Of course they did! In a small town of 800 people, everyone knows everyone.
My aunt had given us an old postcard of Glengarriff from when she visited a while back. It was said to feature the McCarthy family home that my grandmother grew up in.
Old Postcard of My Grandmother’s House
We Found It!
Searching For The House
Our hosts took one look at the postcard and confirmed our suspicions. Yes that’s where she grew up, and it still exists! In fact it’s just down the road…
The traditional 3-room Irish home made of stone is located at a place called Ellen’s Rock, a famous spot for photos when Glengarriff was a popular tourist attraction and ocean cruise destination in the early part of the century.
Sitting on the edge of Bantry Bay, the building has seen better days yet was still standing. Turns out it’s owned by my father’s cousin Teddy, a long-lost family member none of us had ever met before.
Our next mission? Track down Teddy and buy him a beer!
Everything seemed to be falling into place perfectly.
My Dad Meets His Cousin Teddy
Garnish Island Gardens
Meeting With Relatives
Teddy keeps the McCarthy family tradition of fishing and sailing alive as a boat captain for the and the Cliffs of Moher.
Driving in Ireland can take some getting used to! The back roads are super narrow with no shoulder to pull off on, locals drive fast, curves are sharp, and sheep are plentiful.
But by the 3rd or 4th day I started to get the hang of it. A good trick is to buy the “learner” sticker sold at gas stations so locals don’t get pissed at your incompetence on their roads.
Overall I’d say our Irish genealogy road trip was a success. Together we teamed up to track down relatives, learn about our heritage, and experience a little Irish culture, food, drink, and hospitality.
Ireland’s coastal landscapes are breathtaking to see in person. It was a memorable journey, and I’m happy I experienced it with my family. ★
Have you ever been on a family genealogy trip before?
This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.
Source: expertvagabond.com