Radio interview with Clare FM, County Clare with Founder Stephanie Woollard OAM.

In this inspiring interview on Clare FM, Stephanie Woollard OAM, founder of Seven Women and The Celtic Way, shares her journey from social entrepreneurship in Nepal to creating transformative heritage tours in Ireland. Stephanie reflects on the power of connecting with one’s roots, the unique experiences her tours offer, and how travel can be a meaningful, life-changing adventure. Listen as she reveals her passion for building businesses that change lives and the stories behind her Irish ancestry that inspired The Celtic Way.

To listen to the interview by audio:

https://soundcloud.com/clarefm/stephanie-woollard-on-her-tour-company-the-celtic-way

Host:
Our next guest is Stephanie Woollard. Stephanie, who is our second guest from Australia this morning, is the founder of The Celtic Way, a tour company that brings travelers from around the world to explore Ireland — not just through its sights, but through its soul.

With strong family ties to Mayo and, thankfully, a growing love for East Clare, Stephanie is on a mission to reconnect people with their heritage in the most meaningful way possible.
Stephanie Woollard, a very good morning to you.

Stephanie:
Good morning, thanks for having me.

Host:
Thanks very much for coming in. So, tell us a bit about your own personal story. What brings you from Melbourne to Ireland? And talk to us about the role your Irish ancestry played in that.

Stephanie:
Sure! My granny was from County Mayo — a tiny village called Glenmask. Over the years, it’s brought me great joy to visit her old house, her old church community. That experience really made me want to help others in Australia do the same.

About 30% of Australians have Irish heritage, and since it's been such a meaningful journey for me, I’ve wanted to share that with others. That’s the story behind The Celtic Way.

Host:
Okay, so that’s the story behind it — but at what point did you decide, I’m going to set up this company to help others travel here and explore their own Irish roots — and Ireland in general?

Stephanie:
So, I ran a charity in Nepal for 17 years for women with disabilities. I met them when I was 19. As part of that work, we also ran a tour company, and I really missed running tours — I love bringing people together and creating connection. We used to run about 15 tours a year.

When I handed the charity over about two years ago, I came to Ireland a few times — and one of those times, I just had a wild notion: I’m going to make this happen.

Host:
Fifteen tours a year — you must have constantly been on the road, or had a suitcase by the front door of your house!
But it sounds like you wouldn’t have it any other way.

Stephanie:
That’s right! I got to travel the world doing keynote speaking on behalf of what we’d created at the charity. Over 5,000 women were trained and employed, so it was an incredible adventure. And now I feel like I’m just at the start of a new adventure with The Celtic Way tours.

Host:
So how long has it been running, and how have things been going so far?

Stephanie:
It’s been up and running for about a year. I’ve just finished a 26-day tour — which included Scotland and Wales — but there were 15 days in Ireland. Honestly, it was a real challenge to narrow the itinerary down to just 15 days because there’s so much to explore in Ireland.

Host:
And as you mentioned, it’s not just your typical sightseeing trip — it’s clearly something more than that. So in those 15 days, what makes your tours different in terms of helping people connect or reconnect with their Irish roots?

Stephanie:
Well, I’ll use Clare as an example — I think Clare is a fantastic showcase of very diverse experiences for tourists.

We visited the Corofin Heritage Centre with genealogist Antoinette O’Brien, and also the Ennis Library, where Michael Talty was incredibly helpful in guiding people to start their family research. He’s actually been a guest on your show recently, and it’s clear he knows his stuff!

Host:
He certainly does.

Stephanie:
That kind of meaningful travel is what I feel Australians are really desiring. It’s more than just ticking the box — you know, seeing the Cliffs, the must-sees — they want those too, but more importantly, they crave connection. Especially if they have ancestry here.

So, the tours are all about connecting with local culture, with people. We visit places like the Wild Irish Chocolate Factory, and we do the sheepdog experience with Sean and Elaine — and their son — who run it.

Host:
Ah yes, Patricia and the gang at Wild Irish Chocolates — top notch.

Stephanie:
That's right! And the woollen mills are there too — there’s just so much within a small radius. We also visited St. Cronan’s Church, which we found out is the oldest working church in Ireland. It’s absolutely incredible, and still feels like a bit of a hidden gem.

They’ve got a fantastic six-minute video about the church, and you walk through the same arch that the High King of Ireland is said to have walked through. Experiences like that — real and authentic — are what I want to bring to travelers.

Host:
What’s clear from what you’re saying, Stephanie, is that you’ve really put in the hard yards before these tours. I mean, some of this is through your own connections to Ireland, but you’ve clearly done your research, found the right people and places, and built relationships — whether it’s with the sheepdog experience or Wild Irish Chocolates — to make this all happen.

Stephanie:
Absolutely. And also getting to attend festivals like the Feakle Festival — I met Pat Hayes there, who’s been super helpful to me and the tour company. He also gave me a tour of the council buildings the other day, which was a real privilege.

We also went to the Scariff Harp Festival — which was incredible — and I’d love to design future tours around local festivals like these. It’s the truly authentic experience. And as a tour operator, places like the Wild Chocolate Factory and the sheepdog experience have been a real pleasure to work with. The people are so generous with their time.

Not one place has charged me an entry fee to come in and scope it out for the tours. They’ve all said, “Welcome, go through, see what you think.” It’s been a real honour.

Host:
Now the focus here is on East Clare — and while the coastline and beaches often steal the headlines in terms of tourism, East Clare is often described as a hidden gem. I might be biased because I live there myself — but what are some of the lesser-known spots you think deserve more attention from international visitors?

Stephanie:
Oh, I absolutely love Holy Island. We met Joe Madden and went across in his boat — it was just incredible. I think many people would agree it has such a peaceful presence. It’s very unique for tour groups, and it still feels somewhat undiscovered, even with the new visitor centre there.

I have my own theory about why it feels so peaceful — I think it’s because Ireland has such a special legacy of “praying grannies and grandpas” — and these islands were places of worship. That’s something I’ve experienced even on the Aran Islands and others I’ve visited. You really do feel that presence.

And what an honour it is to bring groups from Australia and America — we had a few Americans and Canadians on our last tour, too.

Host:
I was just going to say — this isn’t just for Australians. Your international client base is growing, and after just a year, that must be very exciting.

Stephanie:
It really is! There’s such strong demand. I’m heading back home in a few days to follow up all the leads for next year’s tours. I’m hoping to bring three tours next year and then build up to the number I used to run in Nepal.

There’s no shortage of people with Irish heritage — and as you’d know as an Irishman, anyone with Irish roots loves claiming them! Ireland really is the best country in the world, as far as I’m concerned.

Host (laughing):
Oh, she’s buttering us up something rotten, folks — and don’t we love it? We love having our bellies tickled!

Stephanie (laughing):
It’s true! It’s known as the heart of the world. It’s actually the only country — apart from Nepal — that I’ve ever cried leaving. Every time I come here, I have the most beautiful, incredible experience.

And the Irish welcome — especially in the hotels we stay in — is just something else. Australians love a bit of luxury, and the Woodstock Hotel, for example, has been such a lovely spot with a warm welcome. The staff really look after you.

But more important than luxury for Australians is that human connection.

Host:
I suppose for you, it’s just as well that the Irish are spread all across the globe — because you have potential customers from every country on earth!

So it looks like it’s onwards and upwards for The Celtic Way.

Stephanie:
Absolutely — I can’t wait!

Host:
Where can people find out more about The Celtic Way, Stephanie?

Stephanie:
Our website is www.thecelticway.com.au. I also founded the Irish Family Heritage Trust, which offers extra support for people wanting help with genealogy. We’re connected to genealogists across Ireland who can help with research.

I’m really trying to build not only tours, but a community back home — where people with Irish roots, whether or not they come on our tours, can start to explore that connection