Testimonials

“Irish Ancestral Group, led by Jennifer Doherty, is absolutely incredible!” Jennifer has become more than just a tour guide - she’s truly a friend. Her warm, welcoming, and energetic personality makes every moment unforgettable. She goes above and beyond to make sure every detail is perfect, whether it’s arranging meals, comfortable accommodations, or adding those special touches for birthdays and anniversaries.

For my 50th birthday, Jennifer made the celebration in Ireland nothing short of epic - it’s a memory I will treasure for a lifetime.

Her knowledge of Irish history and culture brings every historic site to life, and her passion for sharing it makes the experience deeply meaningful.

We’ve been fortunate to join Jennifer for two O’Dochartaigh family reunion tours (2023 & 2025) in Ireland, as well as a Scotland Highlands tour in July 2025. Each trip has been absolutely fantastic - perfectly planned, rich in history, filled with laughter, and full of moments we will never forget.

We are currently planning a fourth family tour with Jennifer, which will focus on our genealogy and visits to family historical sites.

Jennifer with Irish Ancestral Group sets up the BEST tours - if you want to experience Ireland (or Scotland) in a way that’s authentic, personalized, and unforgettable, look no further. Memories for a lifetime!"

While we, ourselves, are back in the United States our hearts are still in Ireland, in County Donegal. Thank you for making our trip so personal and perfect. Your diligent efforts and attention to detail, made all the difference between a vacation, and a beautiful lifetime memory. My hopes of, "seeing where my relatives lived, worshipped and were buried," were realized and far surpassed by your private tour, the magic of the countryside and castles, and most importantly, meeting a cousin I never knew I had. We thank you so much for all your time and efforts on our behalf. You are a joy.

“I would like to thank you once again for the work you carried out on my behalf. As you will remember, when I first contacted you, I was very doubtful that any meaningful progress could be made with this search. Your positive attitude however inspired me to commission you to allow you to start your research. The final report that you sent to me well exceeded what I though might be possible. I am more than happy with your professional work and would have no hesitation in recommending your genealogy services to anyone thinking of having similar research carried out. The binder that you fitted the final document in, when I asked for the report to be bound, is very practical and allows additional materials to be included as and when available. It has been a great pleasure dealing with you Jennifer and hopefully the next time I am in Ireland, we can meet."

"We had such a good time with you. Thanks for the pictures and all of the good information, finding our ancestral home and our lovely road trip. It was a treat. We all feel very "connected" to Clonmany and the people and places we were privileged to experience.”

“My Lenny ancestors left Ireland by ship in 1840 to start a new life in America. Although I conducted extensive research on the Lenny family, I found very little information about their origins in Ireland, aside from the ship's manifest and a reference to two Lenny ancestors in a 1766 record. To help fill in the gaps, I hired Jennifer Doherty to assist us in accessing local sources of information and to take us on a tour of the Isle of Inch, where I believed the Lennys had lived before departing for America. This turned out to be a great decision. Unfortunately, Jennifer was unable to locate specific written records of the Lenny family's time on Inch Island between the 1766 religious census and their departure for America in 1840. What she offered us was invaluable: she visited the island to speak with locals who might remember the Lenny name, uncovering potential locations where the Lennys may have lived and worked - information that I could not access myself. Her efforts on our behalf exceeded our expectations. Jennifer guided my two brothers, my husband, and me on a tour of the island and other local areas that the Lennys would have frequented. We visited the pier from which their ship sailed, the cemetery where their relatives would have been buried, the ruins of the church they likely attended, and the roads they walked, including past houses that are still standing and occupied today. The experience was emotional for us; the island and its community have changed very little since 1840. Thanks to Jennifer’s work, my brothers and I felt a deep and genuine connection to our ancestors.”

Though I am late in writing this, it does not decrease the appreciation and thanks I, and my travel-mate Joe Becknell, have for our GREAT experience during our visit to Clonmany, Inishowen, and Urris (Co. Donegal) on September 20-22, 2016. Your knowledge and expertise of these places, both culturally and historically, was and is far above what we expected. As Joe writes, "I recently visited Ireland with my friend Robert in an attempt to determine where his family was originally from. During our visit, we had the pleasure of using Jennifer’s services as a tour guide for a couple of days.

Her knowledge of the Inishowen peninsula including Clonmany, Ballyliffin, Urris, Malin Head, and other locations was impressive. She has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the local history, culture as well as local genealogy. Her first-hand knowledge of Irish family names as well as the pre-17th century clan system proved invaluable in our ability to determine that Robert’s family was from the McGonigle clan in Urris. Her tour allowed us to experience County Donegal in a light that just wouldn’t have been possible on our own." I believe Joe's testimony says it all, but I would like to add that Jennifer McLaughlin-Doherty is a "genealogist's genealogist."

Her knowledge, insight, descriptive understanding and sharing of all things "Clonmany" far surpasses the dry rote presentation one would expect from a genealogist interested in only presenting facts. I would more than HIGHLY recommend Jennifer McLaughlin-Doherty not only as a genealogist but as a tour guide. In my opinion, a visit to the Clonmany, Urris, and the Inishowen Peninsula MUST include, at minimum, a 2 day, 4 to 8-hour tour to do a visit to these areas justice. One could visit these places with a tour book, but their visit would not have the flavor, richness, or satisfaction a tour with Jennifer would provide.

Thank you again Jennifer for a WONDERFUL visit and tours!

Patton Family - Clondavaddog, Co. Donegal "I have been researching my Patten/Patton family line for years. Everything I was able to find out about my Ireland Pattons told me the area they lived in and that there was basically nothing left of any of the family homes. I was also told that my 9th great-grandfather, William Patton, was a Presbyterian minister. When my husband and I started planning a trip to Ireland, I knew I had to have more information. So, I found Irish Ancestral Research Services on the internet which, of course, led me to Jennifer Doherty. I contacted Jennifer and told her that basically I wanted her to confirm the information I had on William and his family and, if possible, to locate where they had lived. Jennifer came back almost immediately with information that William Patton was a minister with the Church of Ireland. What a surprise that was, but I knew I had found my person! I knew Jennifer would be able to ramble through the Irish records I could not and that she would find my ancestors! That, she did! On our recent trip to Ireland, we met with Jennifer and she had wonderful news for me. Not only were all the records I had found here in America wrong, but she had, indeed, found not only the two residences I thought had been torn down, but was able to locate the original gatehouse of William's Estate of Croaghan. She took us to the locations to show me the houses and I discovered there had been a Village of Croaghan and three quarries! I had no idea how prosperous he had become. We also visited the Glebe House William and Margaret had lived in when he was minister to the area of Kilmacrenan upon their arrival in Ireland. I was overwhelmed. Jennifer not only gave me back my ancestors and their homes, but she continues to find nidbits about them and sends them to me. She always answers my questions and comments on any thoughts I might have about my Pattons. I cannot recommend Jennifer highly enough. This wonderful woman gave me my family and solid roots in Ireland and I am eternally grateful to her.

I had been researching my family history for several years and thought that I had exhausted all possible avenues of discovering new information. When I contacted Jennifer she listened to my request and in a most competent and courteous manner was able to deliver the information I needed of my paternal ancestors. Jennifer knew exactly where to go to get what was missing. One of her specialties is knowledge of land maps and knowledge of the area of Co Donegal. For me this was necessary as I had been focusing my research on a distant village as the origin of my grandmother.

Jennifer produced a land map with the same village name on the map closer to my grandfather’s homestead - two villages with the same name! She dealt with land records and land maps which she knows very well and because of this was able to find the family homestead. Her enthusiasm for her work in genealogy showed when she returned to Clonmany from Dublin and trekked through pastures on my ancestors’ farm to document her findings and send me photos of the homestead. That was important to me because the information allowed me to walk in my ancestors footsteps.

Along the process Jennifer even offered to FaceTime or Skype with me. That however was found to be unnecessary as we actually met in person at which time she answered all my questions and refined the entire process. I thought it important that I find someone who knew the area where my ancestors resided. What became very clear early on was Jennifer’s knowledge of Co Donegal as well as the people of Clonmany. This attribute actually led to her introducing me to several cousins whom I had never met nor knew existed - a wonderful bonus which I will always treasure.

The final product of my interaction with Jennifer is a beautiful bound book of my family history which I, my family and future generations will treasure.

“ Sorry to take so long to get back to you, but I want to say thank you. I had a terrific time spending my day with you and I don't think I would have had nearly as much fun if you weren't there. Shoot, I wouldn't have even made it past the airport. Hopefully we can meet up again on my next trip to Ireland, whenever that may be.”

Doherty and Canny Families - Dunaff, Clonmany, Co. Donegal "I can't thank you enough for everything, Jennifer. You are absolutely amazing! Truly a gem! You made our trip a truly incredible experience! I am so grateful that I discovered you online! What a gift you have been! "

About Ireland....my sister, husband and I fell in love with Ireland! Jennifer was amazing and we fell in love with her, too! During the trip (with Jennifer as our guide), we visited the church where my great grandparents were married, and also visited their grave sites. We also got to see the land (and remnants of the cottages) that both sides of my grandparents grew up in. It was a very meaningful trip. Even though I did a lot of research prior to the trip using Ancestry.com , there were still some "gaps." Jennifer was a HUGE help in filling in those gaps!

In addition to giving us personal tours (a day and a half), she introduced us to some second and third cousins! They all welcomed us with open arms!

Since we were only in Ireland for a week, we just visited the northern half. The highlight of the trip was meeting family and seeing the ancestral homes, places of worship, etc., but we also got to do a lot more! We toured Trinity College in Dublin, toured Guinness in Dublin, went on the "Troubles Mural" tour in Belfast, visited the new Titanic Museum in Belfast, went to Giant's Causeway, went across the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Galway City, Kylemore Abbey, Slieve League, Donegal Castle, and more!

Clonmany in Co. Donegal (home of our ancestors) is so beautiful, and we lucked out with the weather (it was sunny almost every day and only sprinkled a little one day).

We can highly recommend Jennifer. I'm so glad that we hired her. Honestly, I feel like we made a life-long friend!

“ Jennifer concentrated on providing me with the best value for money that my very meagre budget would allow. One of her best finds was the Last Will and Testament of an uncle several generations removed. Everybody’s journey into family genealogy is a personal statement. A box of old photographs and a handful of letters written to me by my father in the 1980’s was my starting point. Now I was kicking myself. Why hadn’t I listened more carefully to those long-ago conversations? Being a devotee of social media I asked family members to join me in a dedicated Facebook group to share photographs and family information. The main principle of the group was to contribute only as much as you felt comfortable with. Some were a little guarded, others simply observers, however, enough of us enjoyed our on-line discussions and were open enough to having our information scrutinised, to allow for a lively group of like-minded individuals. Each inspired by the other’s research our knowledge rapidly expanded. Some of the material we shared also had a large emotional impetus where people were known to us: grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts and cousins. The Road to Discovery It quickly became apparent that there were a huge number of unanswered questions, a lot of conflicting information, with the likelihood of the odd family myth adding to the load. So armed with my St Patricks Day Special, I contacted Jennifer Doherty of Irish Ancestral Research (formerly Clonmany Genealogy). The aim of my research was to get a broader view of my ancestor’s lives and personalities so my questions were probably a little different, and, therefore, a little more difficult to provide definite answers for than most I also knew that my family had involvement with the running of a linen mill in Buncrana but researching this aspect of my family’s history had presented many challenges because none of the official information actually linked our family to its history. Instead Jennifer concentrated on providing me with the best value for money that my very meagre budget would allow. One of her best finds was the Last Will and Testament of an uncle several generations removed. Fortunately for me my family had the habit of making very detailed wills so this information both verified the names that I already knew and gave me additional names for my family tree. It also helped to establish the nature of the family politics. Other information Jennifer provided gave me the names of other likely relationships, and also alternative spellings of the family name. Her research also included reference to some of the terminology associated with the linen industry in Donegal during the times that my ancestors lived there. Of even more significance was an excerpt from a book, “Derry Beyond the Walls”, by a John Hume. Naturally curious, I bought my own copy a few months later. Reading it gave me even more insight into the times that my ancestors lived and was of huge assistance when I later began writing up my family history. As I came to learn, many of whom had also lived in Derry. I have been most fortunate that since my first contact with Jennifer a lot more information is now available on-line and Jennifer’s research also allowed me to continue my research knowing that I was on track. Her report also highlighted many of the problems that I could expect to encounter in furthering my research. I find documenting my family history a very significant creative outlet and have contributed information to both New Zealand and Irish genealogy and heritage societies. I have come to realise the significance of my Ulster Scots heritage and with Jennifer’s encouragement to look forward to making contributions further afield.”

My sister and I spent 2 days with Jennifer on our family heritage tour. We knew we had family in Ireland, but had never been. One of our cousins did the ancestry tree and found Jennifer who also filled in a few gaps. Jennifer spoke with us and then set up a tour for us that included seeing our 2nd cousins and family. We had a lovely afternoon with them and toured the Doherty Farm. Gorgeous land!!!

She then brought us to so many places our ancestors had been such as the remains of old family homes, schools they attended, 2 churches they attended, their beaches they roamed, and the cemeteries where some family lie. We have since contacted 3 of our 2nd cousins that we met. We called them using FaceTime. We now feel so connected to them and will always stay in touch with them and Ireland. We traveled in the county of Donegal from Buncrana to Dunaff, Clonmany, and Malin Head. We had a beautiful sightseeing tour through the Inishowen area coastline.

We had cozy lunches and a nice pub stop at the most northern tip of the Republic of Ireland, Malin Head!!! Gorgeous views in all directions!!! We highly recommend Jennifer. She is now a true friend!!!

Several years ago my daughter began a journey as a young traditional Irish musician, a journey which in 2018 led us to the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Drogheda. Since we were coming to Ireland anyway, I made a snap decision to try to do some ancestral research and upon learning that I had some relatives from Carndonagh, on a whim I reached out to Jennifer and booked a short few days in Inishowen after the Fleadh.

Jennifer, with the barely one week’s notice I gave her (sorry about that!) was able to trace my family back several generations farther than I ever could, and interpret land records I would never have been able to find, let alone decipher. She took my family on a tour of the area, instructing and engaging us in local history, and where my ancestors fit into the picture.

I expected to learn a little more about where my Bradley and O’Donnell relatives lived. What I did not expect was to be able to stand at the house where my great-great-great grandfather Bradley lived, or to visit the Mass Rock at which he worshiped.

I expected to see beautiful scenery. I did not expect that I would be transfixed by the wonder of Inishowen.

I expected to learn some interesting facts about my heritage. I did not expect that the experience would only whet my appetite to learn and discover more about from whence I came.

We went to the Fleadh again in 2019 and again made a trip to Carndonagh afterwards. It took something of the aspect of a pilgrimage for me. In between hiking in the Urris Hills and sightseeing along the beaches and coastline, I sequestered myself in the Carndonagh Library and thanks to the wonderful staff there I absorbed every bit of the local history section that I could. My family and I stalked the Sacred Heart Cemetery, seeking (and I believe finding) family graves.

We also, at Jennifer’s recommendation, met the wonderful Rosin McGrory and her husband Neil, who not only welcomed my daughter into their home to teach her some Inishowen fiddle tunes, but who also welcomed her to join in with some local players at an area heritage event.

I cannot put into words the feeling I get when treading the paths that my ancestors tread and visiting the places that they worshiped and lived. But there is equally something moving about building a connection to that place in the here and now, particularly in my own case, through the connection formed through my daughter’s love for traditional Irish music. It is thanks to Jennifer that we've discovered this wonderful community.

I’m so grateful for the opportunities provided by Jennifer and can’t wait to go back to Inishowen again!