Meet Tony
Growing up close to the leafy grounds of a Georgian manor house with its attendant ruins of an ancient castle believed to have been destroyed by conquering forces, my childhood imagination embarked on a journey through Ireland’s rich and varied history. This is a journey which continues to the present day. This early sojourn was further enriched with tales of the nearby site of the Battle of Aughrim, a cataclysmic event which finally and forever changed the fabric of Ireland’s society.
An immediate relative who was at the helm of the Lusitania as it was torpedoed and sunk (and who survived) together with the privilege of having been in the presence of a Titanic survivor, added a wider dimension to the sense of imagination and my desire for knowledge. A lengthy career as a senior detective in our National Police Force brought me to almost every corner of Ireland, bestowing spectacular tales of intrigue and mystery. The associated task of safeguarding five U.S. Presidents, numerous Monarchs, Princes, Princesses and Heads of State has added a trove of anecdotes and experiences, helping to further expand the wonder.
Having completed my primary career an idea was conceived, encouraging me to step onto another path, which would be both enjoyable and fulfilling at the same time. Over the course of this career I encountered people of many nationalities and was always intrigued by their thirst for knowledge of their forebears and of our cultural heritage. Being an island nation we have a long history of emigration and travel and the seeds of this heritage are well rooted in many other countries.
The final quarter of the last century heralded a new era of awareness regarding all aspects of our heritage and vast amounts of work has been undertaken and is ongoing to ensure that this is properly preserved and available to all. With a core philosophy of authenticity, my existing knowledge and continuous learning enables the sharing of this priceless heritage. The completing of an MA in Geopolitics greatly assists in contextualizing Ireland’s historical and continuing influence on the international stage. The challenge of taking people through any part of our incredible heritage, while they absorb our globally renowned landscape, is reward in itself and regardless of the duration of any tour it is guaranteed to be a never forgotten experience.
