BY ELAINE SHERIDAN
A FORMER Durham University student has set up a tour package company to help people from around the world trace their Irish ancestors.
Howard Kingston from Co. Wicklow came up with the idea while studying for an MBA in Britain.
Inspiration for the venture came a number of years ago at the Kingston family’s country house. And his Irish Ancestral Holidays idea even saw the 29-year-old through to the final of last year’s Blueprint Business Planning Competition.
Now back living in Ireland and studying for a PHD at Dublin Institute of Technology, the Irishman said: “I was enjoying a cup of tea with the McGinty family who were over on vacation from Boston. After a detailed discussion regarding the weather, they began chatting about why they had come to Ireland. And having an avid passion for family history, I thought I’d help them in their (ancestral) search. So many hours and many cups of tea later, the McGintys found what they had been looking for.”
He added: “I soon realised there was a niche in the market for a holiday company that could actually help trace people’s Irish roots and take them on a personalised tour of the places where their ancestors lived.”
The company will target people with Irish roots — mainly from Britain and the US — and provide them with a genealogy holiday experience that tracks their family tree and takes them to their ancestors’ hometowns.
Howard said: “We have the best genealogical experts in Ireland working with us, meaning you receive the best results possible. Once we establish your family history we will then help you choose the very best places to stay during your trip.”
Those choosing to avail of the bespoke holidays can have a chauffeur-driven car and tour guide, hire their own car with an audio CD or take the train and a map to seek out their ancestral homes. They will also receive a carefully crafted record of their family tree.
Irish Ancestral Holidays will be at the Who Do You Think You Are? Show at the Olympia in London from February 26-28.