Touring success: Alumna honoured at Travel Awards

Eireann is an archaeologist and scholar and after graduating began working as an expert guide lecturer for special interest travel company Andante Travels in 1997 and has led over 100 tours since, taking groups of guests to both iconic and lesser-known destinations all over the ancient world. She is one of Andante’s longest-standing guides and has created amazing archaeological and ancient world adventures for those attending her tours over the years.

Eierann was the only female finalist and during the ceremony, Wanderlust’s editor Lyn Hughes spoke about the importance of having a female finalist as women are typically underrepresented in the guiding world. Alongside working as a tour guide Eireann also is an honorary research fellow for the Open University and is currently working on a project of the reception of Roman culture in the frontiers of the Roman Empire at the University of Roehampton. She has additionally published a number of articles on ancient North Africa, and co-edited volumes on “Death and Disease in the Ancient City” and “Women’s influence on Classical Civilisation”.

Speaking about her amazing win, Eireann said that she was thrilled about receiving the award and felt “honoured that so many of the guests took the time to vote for me. I’ve been privileged to guide for more than 20 years now and would like to thank Andante Travels for giving me the opportunity to do so.”

The awards were voted for by the public and there were over 4,000 nominations received with a shortlist of just ten guides announced as finalists for the top prizes. The ceremony took place in London earlier this month with the prize awarded to Eireann at the Royal Geographical Society in Kensington on 2 October. Congratulations Eireann!