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About Us
How it began...
Richie O’Shea: A Legacy of Music, Culture, and Irish Heritage
Richie O’Shea, my late father, was born in Brooklyn, New York. He pursued his education in Business and Public Relations at City College of New York before entering the professional world, where he worked for a major brokerage firm. Alongside his career, he actively participated in numerous Irish-American organizations, a reflection of his deep-rooted connection to his heritage.
Music played a significant role in my father’s life, influenced by his parents, who hailed from West Cork and instilled in him a love for Irish music. His passion led him to perform with Mickey Carton’s Orchestra at the renowned Gaelic Park in New York. Immersed in the Irish music scene, he collaborated with various local groups before forming his own band, The Four Provinces.
In 1972, he recorded his first album, These Are My Mountains, under the Avoca label. The album’s success paved the way for him to perform at dances, weddings, concerts, and festivals, solidifying his reputation in the Irish-American music scene.
In 1974, my father made the life-changing decision to emigrate to Ireland, settling in Newcastle West, County Limerick, where he established and operated a local pub. His time in Ireland further enriched his musical career, as he engaged with the local community, performed at dinner dances, and contributed to variety shows.
By 1980, he returned to New York and joined The Paddy Noonan Concert Series, recording the chart-topping hit One Day at a Time. Over the next five years, he toured across the United States, with the song becoming one of the most requested on Irish-American radio.
In 1985, he partnered with his longtime friend Frank Keegan to form a new band. Together, they introduced innovative ideas to the Irish entertainment scene, pioneering Irish Weekend Getaways, Cruises, and Tours to Ireland. They also recorded their first album together, Shannagolden. During this time, my father expanded his ventures into business, opening an Irish import shop, which allowed him to further promote Irish culture.
After over a decade of touring and business success, my father faced a significant health challenge, suffering a heart attack that required open-heart surgery. This led him to step back, re-evaluate his priorities, and focus on new goals for himself, his family, and his career.
Following his recovery, he returned to music with a new band and recorded Only Our Rivers Run Free, featuring talented musicians such as Michael O’Rourke, Jimmy Fracasi, and Jimmy Walsh. Though he officially retired from performing a few years later, he continued to make guest appearances and remained deeply committed to supporting and promoting Irish culture within the Irish-American community.
On January 9, 2016, my father passed away due to heart complications at St. Francis Hospital in Manhasset, New York. He is survived by his devoted wife, Bridget Carmody of Newport, County Tipperary, his children Joseph, Bridget, Kathleen, Richard, and Sean, and his ten cherished grandchildren.
Although our family kept his Irish import shop open for a few years, we made the difficult decision to close it on January 6, 2019.
After my father’s passing, I felt a deep responsibility to carry on his legacy. Inspired by his lifelong dedication to Irish culture and travel, I founded O’Shea Travels. My goal is to continue his tradition of bringing people to Ireland—to experience the warmth of its people, the richness of its culture, and the depth of its history. I hope to expand these tours beyond Ireland in the future, ensuring that the love for Irish heritage my father instilled in so many lives on for generations to come.
My Mission
It is my privilege to guide travelers through Ireland, showcasing the country's unparalleled beauty and rich cultural heritage. As we journey across this breathtaking landscape, I have no doubt that you will be captivated by all that Ireland has to offer and warmly embraced by its people.
My mission is to celebrate and promote Irish culture, offering a uniquely immersive experience that blends history, music, and hospitality, ensuring each tour is both unforgettable and deeply enriching.
With a family tradition spanning over 30 years, I am committed to growing this legacy, with aspirations to expand our tours to other countries in the near future.
Stay in touch
We continue to expand our network each year, allowing us to offer even more exceptional travel experiences. Be sure to sign up for our mailing list to receive exclusive promotional offers and updates on upcoming tours.
Tours
Since our company’s inception, it has been our tradition to lead an annual tour to Ireland. For over 30 years, Richie O’Shea has been dedicated to promoting Irish culture, bringing groups together to explore Ireland and beyond.
In 2022, we had ambitious plans to introduce a new tour; however, due to the challenges of COVID-19, we were forced to put those plans on hold. Now, we are thrilled to announce that we are back and launching two brand-new tours to Ireland in 2026!
We are actively working with our partners in Ireland to ensure a seamless and safe return for our travelers. For more information, feel free to contact us or join our mailing list to stay informed about our latest offerings.