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Exploring landscape on a cultural tour in Ireland

The Historic Significance of County Meath

You might’ve visited the “Royal County,” but did you know the place is packed with history? Check out these interesting facts about County Meath, which will come in handy for your next genealogical tour in Ireland:

Elaborate Royal Background

County Meath is commonly known as the “Royal County” because back in the 11th century, the High Kings in Ireland would be brought to the Hill of Tara for their crowning ceremonies. The Hill of Tara is situated right in the middle of the county, and legend says that when the kings were crowned, the standing stone at the foot of the Royal Seat let out a scream so loud the entire island could hear it.

Advent of Christianity

St. Patrick began preaching Christianity in Ireland from County Meath, which is why now there are many famous monasteries, such as Trim, Kells, Duleek, etc. The Book of Kells originated here but is currently preserved in Trinity College in Dublin.

Norman Influence

In the 11th century, when the Normans started to make settlements, the county’s history was heavily influenced by Norman culture. The Normans built a castle at Trim as a governing place for their new colony. As time passed, the settlers constructed many more castles and churches, which you can now see along the River Boyne.

The iconic Mel Gibson movie “Braveheart” was shot in this area. So it may be a good idea to put the movie up before you go on your heritage tour in Ireland!

Rich Ancestral Site

A common surname in County Meath is “O’Farrell,” which has roots in the Gaelic word “O’Fearghail.” This means “a person of valour.” So, if your surname is O’Farrell, you may be able to find lots of information about your ancestors’ lives—start planning your guided Irish genealogical tour now!

Steps in a mountain

Discover Your Irish Family Heritage with My Irish Family Heritage!

Reveal the astonishing details of your Irish roots by getting in touch with My Irish Family Heritage. We’re the only company providing in-house guided Irish genealogical tours, family heritage tours in Ireland, and personalized ancestry research. Our expert team of genealogists and tour guides is trained to help you research County Meath’s genealogy in Ireland. Contact us now to learn more.

 

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Customised Genealogy & Historical Tour

Review of My Ireland Heritage Tours Presented on Trip adviser Oct 2024 By • Family TomBarron2013 New York City, NY2

Once in a lifetime experience

Oct 2024 • Family

We highly recommend My Ireland Heritage for anyone who wants to learn and be guided to their Irish “roots” and much, much more. Sean Quinn and Ian Darragh of My Ireland Family Heritage have deep knowledge or the areas we wanted to visit in Meath, Sligo and Kilkenny. While we knew about one side of the family history back to 1690, there was nothing known about the other that arrived in the US in the 1870s.

Ian, Sean, and Nicola did thorough research on our localities and locations from which our ancestors left for America in 1849 and later. In addition, Ian and Sean did separate day-long “recons” in advance of our time with them, seeking out local people and the specific properties with maps and whatever records still available. Their results were absolutely outstanding! In both our cases, they found and took us to our still-existing cottages and shops from the early 1820s.

It was so enjoyable to be with Ian for three days and for a special day with Sean. Whether it was the Newgrange World Heritage sites 5,500 years old , the Battle of the Boyne 1690 , or the local cemeteries and churches of our ancestors. Ian was especially attentive to my wife throughout the travels after she twisted her ankle in a rain-soaked old cemetery.

Throughout the process of trip preparation over months to giving us the final, wonderful books of Meath and Sligo, Aisling was highly professional and responsive with all the many details. The bound books she prepared are treasures! Thanks to all for truly exceptional experiences.

Newgrange World Unesco Site 5500 years old
Battle of the Boyne 1690 AD
Customised Historical Tours Trim Castle
Entrance stone at Newgrange

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Review of My Ireland Heritage Tours Presented on Trip adviser by Shelley L @ sjlively

Exceptional in every way!

Over the last few months of preparing for our trip, every single detail was meticulously attended, not only professionally, but helpfully, and in such a friendly manner, that I felt as if I knew Sean, Aisling and Ian before I even stepped off the plane.

The amount of work these wonderful people put into our personal history is mindboggling. My mother was an avid amateur genealogist, and had worked for decades to bring to light the trail our family took, but our resources are limited.

Sean knows exactly where to look, and was able to fill in so many gaps that had eluded us for generations. Some of the information he found, unbeknownst even to him, actually solidified the findings we had amassed over the years. Ours was a family in coal mining – I only found on our tour that they had originated from a mining area, and their arrival on the  border coincided exactly with the decline in the mining industry in County Wicklow.

I would have been overjoyed simply with the knowledge of why they left when they did, about 12 years before the famine. Breaking through our brick wall of great grandparents even farther back on the family tree was a dream come true, but to be able to set foot on not only the area they lived, and find that the house is still there was overwhelming. Seeing the family church and cemetery where our ancestors and extended family still rest is a truly moving experience.

The care taken by this company in each and every aspect of the journey cannot be overstated. Only about 2 weeks prior to my trip, Sean contacted me to let me know that he had also stumbled across some of my husband’s family name in the process and included them as well in his research. How often can anyone say that they not only got what they paid for, but more than they ever imagined? I can say that. They were even kind enough to answer a few follow-up questions after my return home, as I was so stunned on my tour with Ian that I didn’t think ask at the time.If you have the opportunity to make the trip to Ireland, contact My Ireland Family Heritage before you go.

If your family was there, Sean will go above and beyond to find them. Even without family, contact them anyway. Ian is a walking encyclopedia of history, and so fun to talk to. Aisling will make sure every “I” is dotted, and every “T” is crossed.  Thank you so much for the trip of a lifetime, and the opportunity to pass on everything we have discovered to future generations

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