The Emigrant's Walk

02/06/2026

29/05/2026

What a week! 🌞
On Saturday, I had the pleasure of welcoming the Colin family from Canada on The Emigrant’s Walk. It was wonderful to see visitors travel so far to explore the history and heritage of Mid Ulster.
On Tuesday, I joined John and his family from the USA on an ancestry tour with Stephen McCracken. Together we climbed Carnotogher Mountain, where their ancestors would have taken one last look at home before emigrating to America — a moving and unforgettable experience.
Wednesday brought another very special group tour, with thanks to BCRC for organising. Exploring our history reminds us that stories of migration, identity, hope and belonging are timeless, and can help us approach modern immigration with greater empathy and understanding.

05/05/2026

🌳 Where the past meets the present 🌏

The Emigrant's Walk

07/04/2026

First Emigrant's Walk of the season! It was so lovely to meet Greg and Lori from New York. As we made our way to the top of Carnotogher the weather cycled all four seasons every 10 mins ☀️🌧🌪❄️ but we made it to the top with smiles all round, well done Lori and Greg.
A Sunday well spent and huge thanks to Wilderness Ireland and lovely guide Mairead.

10/09/2025

❗️Only One Week Left – Secure Your Space❗️

📆 Thursday 18th September
⌚️ 7.30pm
📍 Friels Bar & Restaurant, Swatragh

Gorta Swatragh invites you to a moving historical talk:
The Irish Famine Immigrant Experience on Staten Island

Internationally-regarded speaker, author, and curator Loretto Leary (Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum, Fairfield, CT) will share powerful stories of the thousands of Irish Famine emigrants whose journeys ended at the harbors of New York—and the remarkable legacy they left behind. Discover how families from Derry and across Ireland faced hope, heartbreak, and sacrifice in pursuit of new beginnings. Learn the little-known history beneath today’s Staten Island Ferry Terminal, where mass Famine graves still echo with memory.

This unforgettable event will honour the resilience and sorrow of those who departed Irish soil in search of survival.

🆓 Free entry to Gorta Visitor Centre, 3pm–7pm
⚡️ Spaces filling fast – booking is advised!

Book here 👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-irish-immigrant-experience-on-staten-island-tickets-1634255856259?aff=oddtdtcreator

20/08/2025

What a perfect day yesterday was to walk the Carn! I was joined by these lovely ladies from New York and Dungiven on the Emigrants Walk.
The sun was shining, and stories shared.
It was great to hear about their experiences of emigration and connecting with their roots here in Derry 🤍

27/07/2025

This lovely group from England and Australia joined me on The Emigrant's Walk yesterday. It is always a pleasure to connect with people from all around the world, share stories, and explore our shared history in such a meanful way 🤍

Thanks to ATS Travel for facilitating.

01/07/2025

Last week I was joined by a US media group from the Outdoor Writers Association of America.
It was fantastic to share the Emigrants Walk experience with an absolutely lovely group of people.

The group also enjoyed a delicious lunch in Friels bar and restaurant and a tour of Gorta Swatragh's Famine Story .

We hope you enjoyed your visit to Mid Ulster as much as we enjoyed having you 🤍

Thanks to Tourism NI for organising.

14/05/2025

This lovely group joined me on the The Emigrant's Walk on Saturday. Sun and stunning blue skies all morning ☀️

Followed by a delicious lunch at Friels Bar and Restaurant 😊

Huge thanks to Melvin, Rebecca and the team at ATS Travel.

25/04/2025

Yesterday I had the pleasure of taking another lovely group from the USA on The Emigrant's Walk.

After a well deserved lunch by the fire at Friels Bar and Restaurant we visited Gorta Swatragh's Famine Story to finish of a great day.

Thanks to Wilderness Ireland for organising.