This was one of the best decision I have made. So happy we did it!
What can I say that has not been said in all the previous reviews of Sean and Ian and Aisling of My Ireland Family Heritage? What we all seem to have in common is the emotional experience of touching on a part of our families lives with the help of Sean and his team personalizing it. As others have noted, the recommendation of Rick Steves Travel Guide (as a Rick Steves fan this was critical to me) and additionally all the positive reviews on Trip Advisor were the catalyst for me to contact Sean and Aisling. I find it difficult to refer to My Ireland Family Heritage as a company because of the personal way Sean, Aisling and Ian worked with me to not only provide the information I sought but to provide an interesting and informative tour for myself and three sisters. Additionally this was to be a surprise for two of those sisters, one who had never been to Ireland.
From the onset it all took on a life of its own. Aisling was in constant contact helping me with suggestions and updates. She is a wonderful, efficient coordinator. Sean also called with inquiries and confirming information. I could not believe how he was as excited as I was about his discoveries. Sean researched the information I had given him and then traveled to the area to find the townland, church, and cemetery that had been a part of my grandfather’s youth. He also located a descendant of the family.
The day of our meeting arrived and Sean and Ian arrived at our B&B and the two sisters I wanted to surprise with this tour were awestruck. Sean and Ian had brought a gift bag for each sister containing a cottage painting by Pauline Quinn, daffodil bulbs to plant at the grave and peat in a little painted treasure box. We started our odyssey with Sean sharing his very comprehensive knowledge of Irish history, humor and the local history he had found. His energy was amazing as he stopped along the narrow lanes recounting how and what he had found about each. He had the same energy level at the end of the day!
A qualified Genealogist and Tour guide also Ian expertly guided the van through the lanes and to each destination and was a very interesting person. He was a very thoughtful and knowledgeable young man and was a pleasure to talk with.
Well Sean and Ian met all my expectations and more. They found all that I had searched for unsuccessfully in the prior two years trips to Ireland and it was a quality experience. I’m so happy I did this and so are my sisters. I hope to return next year and to have Sean, Ian and Aisling prepare research on another line of the family that has been difficult to find.
By the way, did I mention that I had only contracted Sean a month and a half out from my trip? In that short period of time Sean achieved all that I could not on my own in the previous trips to this same area and I received a bound research Manuscript Report of my family records.
Comments
What is fascinating about this story was that Eileen had been with her family years earlier and at the time was brave enough to drive but still could not find that elusive house and Family. So it was our pleasure to do so for her and her wonderful sisters. We visited Lissadell House thes was the Landlords house where the family had worked and it was quite an emotional return.
