Private Heritage Tours Of Ireland

Immerse yourself in the splendour of the Emerald Isle with Luxury Ireland Tours, where we elevate the pursuit of ancestral discovery to an art form. As a passionate local tour operator specialising in luxury ancestry and heritage tours, we understand that exploring your roots is a journey of the heart and soul. That’s why we’ve dedicated ourselves to creating a seamless and sumptuous experience tailored just for you.

Our expert team, with a deep affection for Irish heritage, takes personal care of every detail. From the meticulous planning of your personalised itinerary to arranging your stay in the finest hotels and activities, we ensure each moment is memorable. Luxurious transport is more than a conveyance; it’s the space where you relax as the lush Irish landscape unfolds before you, all while accompanied by our experienced local guides who bring the tapestry of Ireland’s history to vibrant life.

Upon your initial inquiry, our dedicated travel planning team springs into action. We take the time to understand every nuance of your desired experience, including preferred tour dates, trip duration, specific interests, and all the finer details that will make your journey uniquely yours.

Armed with your vision, our travel advisor crafts a bespoke itinerary tailored to your every requirement. You’ll receive a comprehensive draft, complete with beautiful imagery, for your review. This visual and detailed proposal allows you to fully envisage your upcoming Irish sojourn.

In collaboration with your travel planner, you’ll refine and perfect your itinerary. This iterative process ensures that each day of your tour is aligned with your expectations and that every experience is curated to delight and inspire you.

Following the finalisation of your itinerary, you’ll secure your adventure with a deposit. At this stage, we assign you a personal travel coordinator who meticulously books all accommodations, excursions, and dining experiences. With this expert handling of all arrangements, you can set foot in Ireland with the confidence that every detail has been taken care of.

Upon arrival in Ireland, you will be warmly greeted by one of our expert driver-guides. You’ll be presented with a stunning hard copy of your itinerary, setting the tone for the exceptional experience that awaits. From the first welcome to the final farewell, your journey through Ireland will be one of effortless discovery and profound enjoyment.

Originating from the ancient Gaelic clan Eóganachta, the O’Sullivans have played a profound role in Irish history, particularly in Munster. They are famed for their resilience, exemplified by the epic O’Sullivan Beare’s march during the Nine Years’ War, a testament to their endurance. The Beara Peninsula and Dursey Island remain emblematic of their historical domain, encapsulating a landscape as rugged and enduring as the clan’s own legacy. Their story is one of determination and survival, mirroring the indomitable spirit of Ireland itself.

As descendants of the great High King Brian Boru, the O’Briens wielded considerable influence in medieval Ireland, especially in Munster. Their lineage includes Donough O’Brien, who founded the Franciscan friary in Ennis. The majestic Dromoland Castle, once a family stronghold, and the historic Battle of Clontarf are etched into their narrative. The O’Briens have contributed significantly to the political and military fabric of Ireland, maintaining a noble presence that continues to resonate through the halls of their ancestral estates.

The Walsh family, descended from the Norman de Bhaldraithe, were quickly assimilated into Irish culture, becoming one of the ‘Hiberno-Norman’ families. Their name, meaning ‘Welsh’, denotes their origin and spread across South-East Ireland, leaving their imprint in the form of place names, such as the Walsh Mountains in Kilkenny, and through their participation in significant historical events like the Norman invasion, which shaped their trajectory in Irish history.

The Byrne family, deriving from the Uí Dúnlainge kings of Leinster, has a storied presence in the mountainous terrains of Wicklow. Historically known for their resistance against English rule, they played a central role in the insurrections of the 16th century. Their legacy is preserved in the valleys and glens of their homeland, where the echoes of their once-powerful clan can still be felt amidst the heather and hill forts that dot the landscape, a reminder of their past prominence.

Murphy is the most common surname in Ireland and is prevalent in both the USA, UK, and Canada, where interestingly enough, is the second most common name in the country. In fact, the name is so widespread that there are over 50,000 bearers of the name in Ireland and even more in the USA.

It’s derived from the Gaelic personal names MacMurchadh and O’Murchadh meaning sea warrior or sea battler. The origins of the name can first be found in the county of Wexford. Over time, the Murphys began to spread across Ireland with Leinster county becoming an eventual stronghold for the clan.

Although not quite as pervasive as Murphy, Kelly is one of the most popular surnames in Ireland,  coming in second. The surname was first found in the southwest of Ireland and is derived from O’Ceallaigh, which in Gaelic translates to either ‘bright headed’ or ‘troublesome.’

Interestingly, a historical reference suggests there may have been a family relationship between the Kellys and the king of England, Henry II. Today, the ubiquity of Kelly is still prominent with it remaining a popular first name for many women in the USA.

Ryan is an Anglicised version of the Gaelic O’Maoilriaghain/O’Maoilriain and the first records of its spelling were identified during the reign of Gerald between 1369 and 1374. Interestingly, the surname is a blend of the word Gaelic ‘righ’ and the grammatical article ‘an,’ which put together means ‘little king.’ Today Ryan is a widespread first name, not only in Ireland but also in the UK and USA.

The Farrell clan, known in Gaelic as Ó Fearghail, were esteemed lords of Annaly, an ancient territory encompassing much of modern-day Longford. Their history is marked by robust leadership and a fierce commitment to Gaelic law and tradition. The Farrells are remembered for their vigorous defense against Anglo-Norman incursions and for their stewardship of a region that was a bastion of native Irish culture, with their legacy still palpable across the Midlands.

The O’Farrells, bearing the same Gaelic lineage as the Farrells, held the lordship of Annaly with a distinguished history of governance and resistance. They were recognized for their strategic acumen, evident in the layout of their castles and fortifications, and for their role in regional power dynamics throughout the tumultuous medieval period. The legacy of the O’Farrells is a testament to the resilience of Irish chieftaincies in the face of changing political landscapes.

The Fitzgerald dynasty, a storied Norman-Irish lineage, has been instrumental in Ireland’s history since their arrival during the invasions of the 12th century. Their legacy is one of political power, cultural patronage, and military might, seen in the establishment of monasteries and the fortification of their estates, like Glin Castle. The Fitzgeralds’ influence spread across Munster and beyond, and they played key roles in major historical events, including the Desmond Rebellions, shaping their enduring legacy.

Deriving from at least six different Irish septs across Ireland, the O’Connor roots are difficult to trace. But with its variants, the surname is believed to come from O’Conchobhair which translates as either ‘lover of hounds’, ‘wolf-lover’ or ‘patron of warriors. The most famous sept of the six was the Connacht O’Connors, who provided the last two kings of Ireland. Being steeped in historic royalty, if you are an O’Connor, you can take pride in being a descendant of Gaelic aristocracy.

An entire library section can be dedicated to the O’Neills, who have such a rich history that it dates as far back as 360 A.D. O’Neill originates from the revered warrior and king of Ireland,  Niall of the Nine Hostages.

The translation of ‘Niall’ is still disputed today with experts believing it to mean ‘cloud’, ‘passionate,’ or ‘champion.’ The king carries a promiscuous reputation and is believed for being responsible for three million descendants around the world. 

The O’Donnells, famed rulers of Tír Chonaill in Ulster, were key figures in the Gaelic resistance against English expansion, most notably during the Nine Years’ War. Their ancestral seat, Donegal Castle, remains a monument to their past glory. The Flight of the Earls marks a significant historical event that underscores their legacy, a narrative of power, resistance, and the enduring struggle for Irish sovereignty that is inseparable from the fabric of Ulster’s history.

Labelled as ‘the extroverted one,’ the O’Reilly roots come from the ancient Irish name O’Raghaillach, meaning ‘descendant of Raghaillach.’ The family was renowned for being the most powerful sept in the Gaelic kingdom and still to this day the surname is very prevalent in the region.

They were renowned traders in the early 1300s, creating their own coinage by ‘clipping’ coins from England at a time when reilly was a term for Irish money. In recent times, Reilly has grown to become a trendy name given to both boys and girls in the US.