Welcome to the Harlan Tours Page. Over the years, the Harlans have taken three tours that included England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales in search of the sites of our roots. We visited such highlights as St. Peter's Church in Monkwearmouth (site of the baptism of George), Sutton Hall outside of York with its nearby church, the Lurgan Meeting in Northern Ireland and the Harland Moors in Yorkshire.
Contact Ashton-Drye Associates, Inc. for more information:
95 Squire Place
Orchard Park, New York 14127
Telephone/Fax: (716)667-3359
1-800-785-7785
Past Tours
"Kiss Me, I'm Irish" Hollingsworth Tour - October 17-25, 2005:
Since the Hollingsworth and Harlan families have many connections, the Hollingsworth's would like any Harlan's to join them. For further information, please contact Susan Aggarwal at VNSAGG@aol.com.
Welcome to an opportunity for treading in the footsteps of our ancestors. See our history as it unfolds in the homeland of our family – in a very special way! Join the members of the Hollingsworth Family as we examine the roots of our family as they lived and worshiped in England and Ireland over three hundred years ago. Perhaps better understand what drove them to embark on a perilous journey that changed the family legacy for centuries into the future. Time spent together in these locations can also change our lives. Bring your grandchildren and children to search for their family beginnings.
The tour will be accompanied by Marjory Harlan Sgroi, a Harlan family member who has arranged four previous tours to examine that family’s history -- which so mirrors our own. Come along on a truly unforgettable trip! Daily Itinerary
Monday, October 17
This is departure day for the flight to Manchester for those not planning to arrive early in England.
Tuesday, October 18
This morning our group arrives and meets at Manchester Airport. We are met by our coach and driver for transfer to our centrally located hotel in Chester, an ancient walled city. We will have lunch together to get acquainted before a free afternoon for resting or wandering in the city. Our escort, Marjory Harlan Sgroi, will be on hand to help direct us to the local sites such as Chester Cathedral or for a walk around the city’s Roman walls. Tonight we will have a welcome reception and dinner with time to talk about upcoming events. (L, D)
Wednesday, October 19
After breakfast this morning, our coach will proceed to the surrounding countryside for visits to Hollingsworth sites. We will visit Hollingsworth Church in Mottram, followed by a visit to
Hollingsworth Hall Farm. If it is possible, we will have lunch there or alternatively at a local pub. This evening will be free to explore Chester will suggestions on restaurants and pubs. (B, L)
Thursday, October 20
After a very early breakfast, we will take our coach to Liverpool Airport for the flight to Belfast. We arrive in Belfast midday to meet our Irish guide and driver. Then we will have a panoramic tour of the city, including the spectacular City Hall and Belfast Cathedral. We will also have a drive past the Harland Wolfe Shipyards to see where the infamous Titanic was build. Unfortunately, the shipyards are closed now. After our city tour, we will proceed to Armagh for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
Friday, October 21
After breakfast, today will be devoted to searching out ancestral connections. Mr. Valentine
Hollingsworth was born in Ballyvickcrannel in County Armagh in 1632. His family was originally English but migrated to Ireland as “adventurers.” He became a Quaker while still in
Ireland but later immigrated to Delaware (then Pennsylvania) in 1687, along with the Harlands, another Quaker family. The two families inter-married in America. The first meeting of the Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) was held in Lurgan in 1654, followed by the Lurgan Meeting House, built in 1696. Since the visits of the Harlans in 1994 and 1995, there is a new Meeting House, replacing one badly in need of repair. We will have a meeting with members of the congregation and hear about the history of the parish, followed by lunch prepared by members of the congregation. The rest of today will be spent learning about the history of the Hollingsworths in Northern Ireland. We have some new information about local connections to explore because of a recent trip by John Hollingsworth. Dinner and
overnight will be at our Armagh hotel this evening. (B, L, D)
Saturday, October 22
Following breakfast, we drive south to Dublin via Newry, Dundalk and Drogheda. We will stop at the Hill of Tara, known as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland. Then we will continue on to Dublin, arriving early afternoon, in time for an independent lunch in the city. This afternoon we will visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, founded in 1190. The original structure has been rebuilt many times, with a 300-foot long interior (the longest in Ireland) containing many historic relics. Jonathan Swift (author of Gulliver’s Travels) was once Dean here. We will have a stop at the Marsh Library, adjacent to the Cathedral. It was built in 1701 by Archbishop Marsh and was the first public library in Ireland. It contains ancient manuscripts that are chained in small cell-like cubicles, originally for their protection. After this busy day, we check into our hotel with this evening free for dining in Dublin. (B)
Sunday, October 23
After breakfast, we depart Dublin for a drive south through the Wicklow Mountains, with a visit to Glendalough, a 6th century monastic settlement, famous for its round tower and Celtic crosses. We can walk down to the scenic lake to enjoy the green, green countryside before continuing on to Wexford, to explore the town and its surroundings before making our way to our hotel and dinner in the hotel restaurant. (B, D)
Monday, October 24
After breakfast, we visit the Waterford Crystal Factory and admire how skilled craftsmen blow and form the world-renowned crystal art pieces. In the showrooms, we will see the finished products and perhaps indulge in some shopping therapy. Then a drive to Kilkenny to visit the Castle built in the 13th century and once the seat of the Butler family, the Dukes of Ormond. The splendidly restored building is set in a beautiful parkland. We will make a stop for an independent lunch on our way to Dublin just in time to visit Trinity College, where The Book of Kells, a magnificent 9th Century manuscript of the Gospels is on display in the Old Library. It is renowned world-wide for its rich and varied illustrations. We then check into
our Dublin Hotel for a short refreshment before being transferred to our Irish Night. We will enjoy dinner and traditional Irish entertainment with music and dance as a farewell to our family journey. (B, D)
Tuesday, October 25
After an early breakfast and packing all of our souvenirs and memories, we are on to the Dublin Airport for our flights home. (B)
1998 Tour
