Collaborators

Stephanie Woollard OAM

Founder and Managing Director

Alastair Donaghy

  • 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 and Guide

Liza Bun

  • Liza Bun is a Digital Marketing and Operations Lead, 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.

Digital Marketing and Operations Lead

Noreen Maher

  • 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.

Genealogist and Founder of Hibernia Roots

Boyd Gray

  • 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.

West Ulster Genealogy Researcher

Jane Halloran Ryan

  • Jane Halloran Ryan is a professional genealogist and historian based in County Clare, and founder of Dalcassian Origins Family Research Services. Born and raised in Connecticut to Irish immigrant descendants, Jane’s own ancestral journey led her full circle to Ireland, where she qualified as a solicitor before dedicating her work to family history and local heritage.

    With an MA in Local History and a PhD exploring Irish-American migration networks between Clare and Connecticut, Jane combines academic depth with heartfelt understanding of diaspora connections. She has assisted families from Australia, the U.S., Canada, the U.K., New Zealand and beyond in tracing their Irish roots.

    Actively involved with Ireland Reaching Out since 2011, Jane serves as Parish Liaison for Tulla and was awarded Volunteer of the Year in 2013 for her work reconnecting the diaspora with their ancestral homes.

Genealogist and Historian

Stephen Payne

  • With more than 20 years’ experience in Ireland’s passenger travel and tourism industry, Stephen Payne brings a wealth of knowledge, local insight and genuine Irish hospitality to The Celtic Way.

    A Fáilte Ireland Certified National Driver Guide, Stephen is far more than a driver. He is an experienced storyteller who brings Ireland’s history, culture, landscapes, music and people to life as you travel. Having organised bespoke tours since 2003, he knows the well-known highlights as well as the hidden corners, scenic backroads and special places that make travelling through Ireland so memorable.

    Stephen also owns and operates Paynes Coach Hire & Tours, with his own fleet of beautifully maintained touring coaches, including a restored flagship 53-seat DAF Plaxton, a 28-seat Mercedes club-class midi coach and a 53-seat DAF Ayats Atlantis.

    For our guests, having Stephen behind the wheel means travelling with someone who knows Ireland intimately — and who understands that the journey is just as important as the destination.

Driver & Guide with The Celtic Way

Mary Pratt

  • Mary Pratt, a relative of Steph Woollard and a cherished friend of The Celtic Way, brings a deep passion for family history and a rich knowledge of Irish culture that enhances every heritage experience. A fluent Irish speaker, she is dedicated to preserving the language as a living link to Ireland’s past.

    Mary has shared her insights with our groups in Donegal, helping guests connect with their roots in meaningful ways. She recently welcomed travellers into her home in Buncrana for a memorable lunch and morning tea — complete with homemade scones, a drop of Irish whiskey (or tea), and the true spirit of Céad Míle Fáilte.

    Mary’s warmth, generosity, and love for Ireland leave a lasting impression on everyone she meets.

Relative and collaborator on Tour

Lachlan Inglis

  • 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.

Web Strategist, Consultant and Advisor

Michael Talty

  • 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.

Executive Librarian and Archivist

Tommy Stewart

  • 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.

Speaker, Author and Leadership Mentor

Presty Thomas

  • 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

Strategist and Mentor