Collaborators, Friends and Founders

Founder and Managing Director

  • Stephanie Woollard OAM, a third- generation Irish descendant, is the founder and CEO of The Celtic Way Tours, offering immersive journeys through Ireland's rich heritage. With over a decade of experience leading tours, Stephanie blends her deep- rooted connection to Irish traditions with her passion for authentic cultural exchanges. Recognized globally for her humanitarian work, including the Rotary International Responsible Business Award presented at the United Nations and the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), Stephanie's expertise ensures transformative travel experiences that celebrate the spirit of Ireland.

Heritage Specialist

  • Ali Donaghy, our heritage specialist from Ballymena, Northern Ireland. Ali brings a lifetime of passion for Irish history, culture, and community. With over 30 years of experience in historical research, public speaking, and guiding walking tours across Northern Ireland, Ali’s storytelling will bring the soul of Ireland to life during your journey. From leading historical tours with Ulster Walking Tours to guiding visitors along the stunning Gobbins Cliff Path, Ali is truly one of a kind. You’ll meet him on our Irish Heritage Tour and is a weath of knowledge on the history and heritage of the Emerald Isle.

Relative and Friend

  • Mary Pratt is a relative of Steph Woollard and a dear friend of The Celtic Way. She has a deep passion for family history, especially understanding the times our ancestors lived in. Her knowledge of Irish history and culture brings real depth to our heritage experiences.

    Mary is also a fluent Irish speaker and is committed to speaking and preserving the language as a living link to the past and a source of pride for the future.

    She has shared her insight at group dinners in Donegal, helping guests connect with their heritage in a meaningful way. Mary also hosted a lovely lunch and morning tea at her home in Buncrana, offering what many described as the best of Ireland’s welcome — Céad Míle Fáilte.

    Guests enjoyed her homemade scones with jam and cream, a drop of Irish whiskey (or tea), and her warm hospitality, which became one of the most memorable local experiences on tour.

    Her son, Jonathan Pratt, also welcomed our group with a fantastic lunch, adding even more to the feeling of connection and homecoming.

    Mary’s generosity, knowledge, and love for Ireland leave a lasting impact on everyone who meets her.

Irish Music Exponent

  • Kathryn Clements is one of Australia’s finest exponents of traditional Irish song, known for her heartfelt voice, deep connection to Irish culture, and ability to weave music and story together in ways that resonate with audiences of all ages. Originally from Melbourne, Kathryn has toured Ireland extensively, bringing the sounds of home — and of ancestral Ireland — to life through both classic traditional songs and her own beautifully crafted originals.

    An accomplished songwriter and performer, her work celebrates the soul of Irish music, with albums such as Songs of Love and Freedom and Ireland of My Heart reflecting her passion for heritage, history, and personal storytelling through song.

    On The Celtic Way tours, we have the privilege of meeting artists like Kathryn, whose insight, talent, and genuine love for Irish tradition deepen our connection to the music and stories of Ireland, and create moments that linger long after the journey ends.

Digital Marketing and Operations Lead

  • Liza Bun is the Digital Marketing and Operations Lead for The Celtic Way, working closely with the founding team to shape the brand’s online presence and support the smooth delivery of its heritage journeys. With a background in Business Management and digital marketing, she has been involved since the early stages of the business and has played a key role in building it from the ground up, spanning website development and optimisation, email marketing, lead management, itinerary refinement, and internal systems. Passionate about heritage storytelling, Liza is dedicated to helping people connect meaningfully with their Irish roots through clear, thoughtful, and well-designed digital experiences.

Genealogist, Local Historian and Entrepreneur

  • Genealogist at Hibernia Roots | Oral & Local Historian | 2nd-Generation Entrepreneur. Noreen Maher is a passionate genealogist and founder of Hibernia Roots, dedicated to connecting people with their Irish ancestry. As an oral and local historian, she brings Ireland’s stories to life through deep research and community connections. We’re proud to collaborate with Noreen at the Irish Family Heritage Trust, where her expertise helps families rediscover and celebrate their roots.

Genealogy Researcher

  • Boyd Gray is the researcher behind West Ulster Genealogy and a highly respected figure in Irish family history circles. He is known for his commitment to making genealogy accessible, accurate, and engaging for anyone tracing their Irish roots.

    Over the years, Boyd has built one of the most valuable online collections for families from Tyrone, Donegal, Derry/Londonderry, Fermanagh, and the wider Ulster region. His work stands out for its clarity, reliability, and rich range of resources—including census fragments, tithe records, graveyard links, maps, military archives, and emigration databases.

    He is also the creator of 13 well-regarded genealogy video workshops, hosted on CoTyroneIreland.com and YouTube, guiding both beginners and experienced researchers through Irish records, land valuations, church archives, and practical research steps.

Web Strategist, Consultant and Advisor

  • Lachlan Inglis is an experienced web strategist, consultant, and advisor, specialising in web design, SEO, and app development, with more than two decades of experience as a founder and startup leader. He is the founder of Naked Media, a digital and creative consultancy that partners with organisations to build clarity, reach, and long-term impact through thoughtful digital strategy.

    Lachlan is the web strategist and consultant for The Celtic Way, and we have been truly blessed by his knowledge, wisdom, and expertise as the brand has grown. His strategic insight has helped shape our digital direction and ensure we are building a strong, values-led platform that connects people with Irish heritage through slow, meaningful travel.

    With a background spanning startups, digital products, and advisory work, Lachlan brings a grounded, practical perspective combined with deep technical skill and entrepreneurial vision.

Driver and Guide

Speaker, Teacher, Author and Founder

  • Tommy Stewart is a dynamic speaker, author, and leadership mentor passionate about inspiring positive transformation in communities and organisations worldwide. He is the founder and leader of Transform The World, a movement equipping and inspiring people for impact across the globe. Tommy also advises international ministries and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Christian Leadership at The New International University.

    A friend of The Celtic Way, Tommy shares his love for Ireland, its people, and leadership insights with groups on our heritage tours, bringing inspiration and meaningful connection to every experience.Genealogist at Hibernia Roots | Oral & Local Historian | 2nd-Generation Entrepreneur. Noreen Maher is a passionate genealogist and founder of Hibernia Roots, dedicated to connecting people with their Irish ancestry. As an oral and local historian, she brings Ireland’s stories to life through deep research and community connections. We’re proud to collaborate with Noreen at the Irish Family Heritage Trust, where her expertise helps families rediscover and celebrate their roots.

Librarian

  • Michael Talty is a librarian at Ennis Library, County Clare, with a strong focus on local studies and Irish family history. He has extensive experience assisting people to research their Clare ancestry, guiding visitors through historical records, parish registers, land valuations, and other key archival sources.

    Known for his depth of knowledge and generous approach, Michael plays an important role in helping people connect with their family stories and the wider history of County Clare. On The Celtic Way tours, we have the privilege of meeting people like Michael — local experts whose insight, kindness, and passion bring family history to life in a way no archive alone ever could.

Christian Leader, Strategist and Mentor

  • Presty Thomas is a Christian leader, strategist, and mentor with over two decades of experience developing leaders and transforming communities. He is currently studying a Doctor of Christian Leadership (DCL) at The New International University (TNIU), furthering his education and global ministry impact.

    He is the India Team Leader for the global movement Transform the World, and the founder of HisWays International Ministries, where he builds leadership capacity locally and internationally — improving lives person by person. Through his ministry, Presty leads programs and coaching, including one-on-one coaching (in-person and online), spiritual retreats and guided prayer, and Christ–Spirit-led life mentoring.

    A significant part of Presty’s work focuses on training and empowering women through social enterprise, continuing the legacy of his mother, who dedicated her life to empowering local communities through income generation. Presty has also served as a strategic advisor to The Celtic Way, offering wisdom, spiritual insight, and guidance as the organisation grows significantly throughout the celtic community internationally