My Ireland Story

I’ve been to Ireland at least six times (I’ve honestly lost count!), and every single trip reminds me why I started Heather and Stone. There’s so much more to this country than what most tourists ever see.

It all started after I realized I’ve hosted several friends on different trips to Ireland. I loved showing them some of my favorite places – spots they never would’ve found in a guidebook or on a standard tour. That’s when I realized the real issue: people don’t visit the hidden gems of Ireland, because they don’t even know they exist yet.

Most travelers end up seeing the same five or six stops. Not because they want a cookie-cutter trip, but because they haven’t found someone to show them the deeper, more personal side of the country. That’s where I come in.

I’ve been a travel blogger since 2017 and a certified travel agent since 2020, but my journey started even earlier. I studied Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management in college, and I’ve always believed in the power of meaningful, experience-rich travel. And while I’ve traveled all over, Ireland has completely stolen my heart.

Now, I specialize in planning custom Ireland itineraries with intention – whether you’re dreaming of your very first visit, or already planning your second trip. Ireland has that effect on people!

I created Heather and Stone because I saw what was missing in the tourism space: recommendations from someone who’s actually been there. Too many travel planners are suggesting places and experiences they’ve never tried themselves. That doesn’t sit right with me. When I recommend something, it’s because I’ve walked that path, stayed in that village, or heard a certain story from a local.

I also believe that popular sites are popular for a reason, but they’re just the beginning. I want to show you what’s beyond the brochure – that there’s more than the Cliffs of Moher. I want to get you OUT of Dublin, and off of the big bus tours. Whether you’re exploring your Irish ancestry, visiting monasteries from early Christianity, or just needing time to rest and reset, I’ll help you create a trip that feels like you.

And if that first trip turns into a deeper connection? I’ve got you.

Whether you’re curious about studying, teaching, working abroad, or even moving to Ireland someday, I’m building resources here for that. too.

Heather and Stone is about real travel – grounded in personal, first-hand experience, true connections, and storytelling – just like the country itself.

Rugged, welcoming, wild, and wise.

Let’s start planning your Ireland story next.