Thomasville Scene Fall 2023 | Page 38

| Ireland |

| Ireland |

Returning to their roots

Bryan children visit their grandfather ’ s hometown in Ireland

by Jill Holloway | photos submitted

Family beach trips are a familiar experience for many during the summer . However , family beach trips to Ireland are once in a lifetime .

In June , the Bryan family ( Erin , Sheldon , Crichton , Hendley and Byrdie ) traveled to Ireland with Erin ’ s stepfather , Niall Falloon and mother Nancy . Erin planned the trip with the help of her parents , in hopes her children could learn more about Niall ’ s Irish roots and see where their grandparents got married .
“ I had been a couple of times , but my kids had never been and they are getting older , so I thought we needed to go now , while my parents were still in good health as well ,” Erin said .
The family flew into Dublin , spending a few nights there , before renting a car and driving across Ireland to Niall ’ s family vacation house in Donegal .
“ He ( Niall ) grew up in Ireland ,” Erin explained . “ He
Pictured from left to right : Sheldon , Crichton , Hendley , Byrdie and Erin Bryan after crossing the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge .
lived outside Belfast and went to school at Trinity in Dublin and often vacationed at a property in Donegal .”
Niall now owns the home he once vacationed at in Donegal , alongside his siblings and wanted to share the experience with his children and grandchildren .
38 Fall 2023 | Thomasville Scene