Some places are easy to admire, but Kilkenny is also a place to experience step by step. For travellers exploring Ireland, Kilkenny Castle and the Medieval Mile offer the chance to enjoy history in a way that feels walkable, vivid, and connected to everyday city life. Kilkenny Castle was built in the twelfth century and served as the principal seat of the Butler family for almost 600 years, while the Medieval Mile links the castle with the 13th-century St Canice’s Cathedral through the heart of the city.

In this episode of The Celtic Way Podcast, Stephanie Woollard OAM speaks with genealogist Boyd Gray of West Ulster Genealogy to explore the practical realities of Irish genealogy research and how it connects to something much deeper, a meaningful experience of place, identity, and belonging.

In this episode of The Celtic Way Podcast, Stephanie Woollard OAM speaks with Noreen Maher, founder of Hibernia Roots Genealogy Services, whose work is dedicated to helping people reconnect with their Irish heritage in meaningful and lasting ways. 

Noreen is a highly experienced genealogist with a deep understanding of Irish records, history, and storytelling. With formal training in family history, oral history, and local studies, she combines careful research with a strong appreciation for the personal stories behind each family line. Her work has been recognized through her involvement with the National Archives of Ireland and the National Library of Ireland, as well as her contributions to historical publications.

For travelers on our Best of Ireland & Northern Ireland 15-Day Heritage Tour, Adare offers a memorable glimpse of the village and local life. It is not only a scenic stop for a tea break. It is a place where you can slow down, walk through the heart of the village, and enjoy a more intimate side of Ireland beyond the larger cities and major landmarks. The village walking trail highlights Adare’s historic buildings, medieval heritage, artisan shopping, cafés, and the thatched cottages that have become so strongly associated with the village.

In this episode of The Celtic Way Podcast Series: Counties of Ireland by Irish Voices, Christina Moloughney speaks about her connection to County Tipperary and the pride many Irish families feel in their Tipperary roots. Her reflections point to something important for travelers: visiting Tipperary is not only about seeing well-known landmarks. It is about experiencing a county where history, landscape, and heritage still feel deeply connected.

In this episode of The Celtic Way Podcast, Stephanie Woollard OAM speaks with Rodney Ferguson, a tourism professional with a deep connection to Irish heritage and visitor experience. Their conversation explores what truly makes travel in Ireland meaningful and why so many people return with a stronger sense of connection to the island.

Grafton Street is one of Dublin’s best-known streets, alive with shops, movement, and, above all, music. Its buskers have become part of the city’s character, bringing energy, talent, and spontaneity to everyday life. Whether you hear a traditional Irish ballad, a modern acoustic performance, or simply the sound of a crowd gathering around a singer, it creates a feeling that is unmistakably Dublin.

Just a short walk away, St. Stephen’s Green offers a different side of the city. With its pathways, trees, flowerbeds, and quiet corners, it provides a gentle contrast to the buzz of Grafton Street. Together, these two places show how Dublin moves between energy and stillness, performance and reflection.

In this episode of The Celtic Way Podcast, Stephanie Woollard OAM speaks with Helen Walsh, County Librarian of Clare, and Michael Talty, Executive Librarian of Local Studies, about genealogy, archives, and the powerful role libraries play in preserving Irish family stories

In this episode of The Celtic Way Podcast, Stephanie Woollard OAM speaks with Boyd Gray, the researcher behind West Ulster Genealogy, whose work has become an invaluable resource for people tracing families from Tyrone, Donegal, Derry/Londonderry, Fermanagh, and the wider Ulster region.

Located in the heart of the city, Trinity College is one of Dublin's most famous landmarks and one of Ireland's most important educational institutions. Founded in 1592, it is home to beautiful historic buildings, peaceful courtyards, and the world-famous Old Library. For many visitors, however, the true highlight is the chance to see the Book of Kells, one of Ireland’s greatest cultural treasures.

For many travellers, the journey to Ireland begins long before the flight. It often starts with a story, a song, or a voice that sparks curiosity about Irish life, culture, and place.

That is the spirit behind Heartlands, a weekly radio program airing on Fridays from 1–3 pm on 96.5 Inner FM, hosted by Stephanie Woollard OAM, founder of The Celtic Way and Irish Family Trust, alongside special guests.

A snapshot from our info sessions where people hear more about the tours and are able to ask their questions

https://kathrynclements1.bandcamp.com/

Irish tours, irish family history, geneology and heritage with The Celtic Way

Clare FM; Stephanie Woollard OAM on her tour company The Celtic Way.

Stephanie Woollard who is from Australia, is the founder of The Celtic Way, a tour company that brings travelers from across the world to explore Ireland — not just through its sights, but through its soul. With strong family ties to Mayo and a growing love for East Clare, Stephanie is on a mission to reconnect people with their heritage in the most meaningful way possible. Alan Morrissey spoke with Stephanie on Tuesday's edition of Morning Focus.