My background.

 

My family (Mum, Dad, Grandparents, Great Grandparents, Great Great Grandparents etc. are from Donegal in the rugged and remote north-west of Ireland. Due to the lack of economic opportunities at the time, my Mum and Dad left Ireland in the mid 1950's to seek work and create a new home for themselves in mainland Britain

Shortly after they settled in the town of Fflint (not a typo, that's just the Welsh spelling!) North Wales. Some of their Brothers and Sisters settled there too, marrying into Welsh families. Growing up surrounded by Irish ex-pats I had a mixed upbringing of being born in Wales but from a 100% Irish family and background.

I'm very lucky to be a part of two great Celtic nations. Eirinn go Brách agus Dwi’n Caru Cymru!

 
 
Meredith and I at Glenveagh Castle in County Donegal, June 1991

Meredith and I at Glenveagh Castle in County Donegal, June 1991

 

Hello, America

Looking for adventure and fortune I came to the United States in 1989 and have been here ever since. While I'm still looking for my fortune I did find adventure and love. I met my wife, Meredith, at a Hothouse Flowers concert in Philadelphia and in 1993 we moved back to her home state of Michigan to raise our family. We now have two grown children, Liam and Áine.

 
That's our kids, Liam and Áine, in the middle. Both are graduates of the University of Michigan and living in CA and NC.

That's our kids, Liam and Áine, in the middle. Both are graduates of the University of Michigan and living in CA and NC.

Our first time at the Milwaukee Irish Festival in 2000, the largest of its kind in the world. (L to R: Bryan Gallagher-cousin, Tom Kenny-friend, Me, Meredith) We have just celebrated Milwaukee’s 40th Anniversary in August 2021.

Our first time at the Milwaukee Irish Festival in 2000, the largest of its kind in the world. (L to R: Bryan Gallagher-cousin, Tom Kenny-friend, Me, Meredith) We have just celebrated Milwaukee’s 40th Anniversary in August 2021.

 

Bringing Ireland To The People

In 1999 we started our business Real Irish (called Out of Ireland at the time), importing unique and well-made Irish goods to sell at festivals at a time when most items being sold were rather lacking. In 2004 we started selling online, now able to bring our varied collection of Irish goods to an even larger audience. We've grown a lot since then and 2014 saw us open our first storefront in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

 
Hitching a ride near Ballydehob, West Cork, June 1991. Meredith and I backpacked around Ireland, Scotland, and northern England before returning to Wales.

Hitching a ride near Ballydehob, West Cork, June 1991. Meredith and I backpacked around Ireland, Scotland, and northern England before returning to Wales.

 

Now We're Headed Back To Our Roots

And we want you to come along. I return to Ireland several times a year so it only made sense to bring others with me. As Real Irish Travel I lead personalized, small group tours of Ireland designed to give you a true Irish experience and forever leave you with treasured memories of a magical, green island I'll always call home.

 
At Glenveagh National Park on our family trip to Donegal in March 2016. Meredtih, Aine, myself (Stuart), and Liam.

At Glenveagh National Park on our family trip to Donegal in March 2016. Meredtih, Aine, myself (Stuart), and Liam.