Through my dad’s side of the family, I have a personal connection to Ireland. My dad’s maternal grandmother was an Irish immigrant who arrived in New York in 1924. Her name was Mary, but she went by Mary Herring, Mary Brady, and Mary Smith, so tracing my family line may be difficult. Mary was married in Ireland, but she left her husband and son to meet one of her seven siblings in America.

Many years later, my great-grandmother Mary returned to Ireland to visit her son and introduced my grandmother to her brother. A few more trips to Ireland occurred over the years, and my dad went when he was a child. I’ve heard so many stories from my grandmother, and I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland for myself one day. I’m excited to have the opportunity to visit through the Haller Global Honors Fellowship.