Are you one of the 56.7 million* Americans with Irish ancestry? Discover your family roots and track down ancestors with the help of a professional genealogist on this wallet-friendly Discover Your Roots: Genealogy Vacation now on sale at the Aer Lingus Vacation Store.
The 6-night Ireland vacation package starts at $1,399 and includes air, car, 5-star hotel accommodations, 5 nights at a B&B and genealogy consult.
Temple Bar, Dublin, Ireland.
Why go:
This flexible ancestral journey offers the opportunity to visit historic castles, archaeological sites and scenic attractions as you experience first-hand the villages of family legend and possibly run into long lost relatives at a local pub.
With pre-paid lodging vouchers and rental car, you’re free to set your own pace as you trace your family history. Staying in traditional Irish homesteads or modern working farms, you’ll experience life as a local and enjoy the warmth and hospitality of the Irish people.
Colorful buildings, Dublin, Ireland.
What to expect:
The journey begins with a night at the 5-star Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin where you’ll have a one-hour consultation with the hotel’s Genealogy Butler, Helen Kelly. Based upon your own family’s information (which participants are asked to provide as much as they have), this experienced researcher will do preliminary legwork, draw up a personalized plan to help you navigate state and church records, and work to set you in the right direction to actually find the place your relatives called home. Whether your family’s roots are in County Mayo, County Wexford, or elsewhere on the Emerald Isle, you can then set a course for 5-nights, traveling through beautiful countryside in your rental car.
Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin, Ireland.
What’s included:
The 6-night Discover Your Roots: Genealogy Vacation includes:
Accommodation
- 1 night at The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin (5-star)
- 5 nights at Bed & Breakfasts (4-star) open vouchers
Transportation
- Round-trip economy class airfare New York (JFK) to Dublin
- Manual economy rental car for duration with unlimited miles
Other Inclusions
- 1 hour consultation with Genealogy Butler at The Shelbourne Hotel Dublin
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All local taxes, hotel service charges, carrier and government taxes/fees/facility charges on airfare. Gratuities are NOT included.
Country road, Ireland.
Rates and dates:
This vacation is priced from $1,399 from New York, $1,407 from Boston, $1506 from Chicago, $1,640 from Los Angeles, $1,857 from San Francisco, and $1,660 from Washington, DC. All rates are per person, based on double occupancy for select travel dates in September and October of 2014.Other departure dates and origins are available at slightly higher rates. Prices are based on 7-day advance purchase and include round-trip economy class airfare including carrier and government-imposed taxes and fees including the September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement originating at a U.S. airport. Fluctuations in exchange rates may affect some taxes or fees. Restrictions apply.
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About Aer Lingus Vacation Store
The Aer Lingus Vacation Store offers various types of vacations to Ireland and parts of Europe to suit any traveler’s needs including independent, escorted, rail, city stays, golf, groups, and customized vacations. The Aer Lingus Vacation Store partners with over 300 hotels and castles and over 1,000 B&Bs in Ireland and parts of Europe to offer customers the ultimate choice to suit their budget.
*As reported in the 2008 U.S. Census report. **Based on 2 people traveling, round-trip including all taxes and fees. Restrictions & additional bag fees may apply. Fluctuations in exchange rate may affect some taxes or fees.
Source: JC Communications, LLC and the Aer Lingus Vacation Store.
About Ellen Barone: Consumer travel journalist Ellen Barone is the founder and publisher of TravelUpdatesbyEllenBarone.com and YourLifeIsATrip.com. She’s currently at work on her first book - I COULD LIVE HERE.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".