This film documents our journey across Ireland retracing the history of the Athy family, beginning with medieval Europe and ending with our closest personal connection—our great-grandmother Lola Athy Wilson. Through castles, abbeys, small towns, and family landmarks, we explore how a name traveled, changed, and ultimately became Irish.

Our story begins with Gérard d’Athée, a 13th-century military commander whose rise in the English court led to conflict with the barons and earned him a rare mention in the Magna Carta. From there, we follow the Athy name into Ireland—through Walter Athy of Galway, whose loyalty to Ireland cost him land and power, and John de Athy, who later served as sheriff of County Kerry, showing how the family became fully rooted in Irish life pasted.

The journey takes us from Tralee, Dingle, and Killarney National Park to iconic sites like Muckross House and Abbey, Minard Castle, the Gap of Dunloe, Ring of Kerry, Jerpoint Abbey, Blarney Castle, Rock of Cashel, Guinness Storehouse, Classiebawn Castle, Rinville (Galway), and beyond. Along the way, we experience Ireland through food, whiskey distilleries, landscapes, ruins, and the kindness of the people we meet.

This trip was sparked by a genealogy book our mom shared with us—opening a door to a history we never fully understood—and became a way to connect past and present, place and family. It’s a travel film, a history project, and a personal record for future generations.

If you’re interested in Irish ancestry, Galway history, the Thirteen Tribes of Galway, Irish castles, or traveling Ireland through heritage, this film is for you.