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Derry
Derry

Derry Nairn is Marketing & Sales Manager at Vagabond Tours. A published non-fiction author, Derry holds a BA in History & Politics from University College Dublin and an MSc in Electronic Publishing from City St George's, University of London. Heโ€™s is Vagabond & Driftwood's expert on Irish history, heritage, genealogy and all things ancient.

Blog Articles

Two tour guests in front of a blue sky and ocean in Ireland

How To Trace Irish Ancestry: Frequently Asked Questions

8th November 2024
Irish history expert, Derry, answers some common questions about Ireland's diaspora, genealogy and how to trace Irish roots. ๐Ÿค” Are Irish-Americans Really Irish? ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ Mac Vs. Mc โ€“ Which Is Irish? Which Is Scottish? ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Are Irish People Descended From Vikings? ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Why Are There More Irish in America Than In Ireland? โ˜˜๏ธ Where In Ireland Do Irish Americans Come From?  
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Two figures viewed from behind while they are standing looking at a green field in Ireland with sheep in it

How You Can Trace Your Irish Roots

9th August 2024
Trace your Irish heritage all the way back to its roots with Ireland history expert Derry. Read his step-by-step Irish genealogy guide including tips and links to lots of free resources. Tracing Irish Roots At A Glance ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘งโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ Do Your Homework ๐Ÿ•ต๏ธ Study Clues In Your Name ๐Ÿ†“ Use These Free Geneaology Tools ๐Ÿ›ฌ Visit Archives in Dublin and Elsewhere In Ireland ๐ŸŽฏ Widen Your Net Beyond Ireland
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Cows on a farm in Ireland

What's Farming In Ireland Like?

23rd May 2024
Life is good down on the farm with Derry, who grew up in the countryside in Wicklow. Read his tales of farming in Ireland, including facts, figures and funny stories. FARMING IN IRELAND AT A GLANCE Stats On Farming In Ireland Today ๐Ÿšœ Irish Farmers: A Day In The Life ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŒพ Farming in Summer, Winter and Spring ๐ŸŒพ Ireland's Native Cow Breeds ๐Ÿฎ Sheep Farming in Ireland ๐Ÿ‘
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A statue of St. Patrick with guests standing in front of him

What Would Ireland Be Like Without Saint Patrick?

16th March 2024
With Patty's Day 2024 upon us, Irish expert Derry asks: what would we do without Paddy? And what is the REAL history of Saint Patrick and his festival? History of Saint Patrick At A Glance ๐Ÿ˜‡ Shock Horror! Saint Patrick Wasn't From Ireland โ›ช Neither Was He The First Person To Evangelise In Ireland โ˜˜๏ธ March 17th Marks His Death (You Can Visit His Grave In Northern Ireland) ๐Ÿ False: Patty Banished Snakes. True: It Was The Ice Age. ๐Ÿฅณ Paddy's Day Became A Global Party Largely Due To Emigration ๐Ÿ’š Green Is Not The Only Colour Associated With Patrick (Or Ireland) โ›ฐ๏ธ There Are Countless Places Named After Patrick (Like This Holy Mountain)
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Nancy standing outside what was once her grandmothers home

How Nancy Came Back to Her Irish Roots

26th February 2024
Read about how one Vagabond traced her Irish roots to a tiny village in Ireland.
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A picture of Ernest Shackleton on a boat

The Genealogy Detective

26th February 2024
Irish history expert, Derry, introduces the work of a professional Irish genealogist and an interesting recent case linked to polar explorer, Ernest Shackleton.
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