560,000+ Kiwis hear and read all about Ireland and New Zealand broadcaster’s Irish ancestry journey

New Zealand broadcaster Mel Homer traces her Irish roots

New Zealand broadcaster Mel Homer has been visiting Ireland to continue her Irish ancestry journey. Homer – who hosts a popular radio show called Sunday Café, which airs on New Zealand’s nationwide radio station Today FM – began tracing her Irish ancestry here in 2019. She returned to Ireland recently to continue uncovering her Irish roots and her visit was supported by Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.

Homer began her trip by visiting the Irish Family History Centre. She then followed her mother’s ancestral ties to Nenagh, where she visited Silver Street – the street where her great-grandfather lived. She visited The Burren, to learn about the region’s strong sustainable practices and how they benefit the local environment and communities.

Homer also travelled to Kāi Restaurant in Galway (which takes its name from the Māori word for food) to broadcast her Sunday Café radio show. She interviewed its chef-owner, New Zealand-born Jess Murphy. She also broadcast her radio show from Brooks Hotel in Dublin, where listeners heard her interview a number of Irish-based personalities with connections to New Zealand.

As well as Homer’s Sunday Café broadcasts, her time in Ireland is being documented across several channels – including an article for the New Zealand Herald which will be published in early 2023, a series of podcasts and on her social platforms – reaching a combined audience of over 560,000 people across New Zealand. 

Darragh Walshe, Tourism Ireland New Zealand, said: “Tourism Ireland was delighted to support Mel Homer’s recent visit to Ireland, as she continued to trace her Irish ancestry. Her journey is being documented across multiple platforms – including broadcast, print and social media – reaching her audience of over 560,000 listeners, readers and followers across New Zealand and inspiring them to put Ireland on their holiday ‘wish list’ for 2023. “

Darragh Walshe, Tourism Ireland; with New Zealand broadcaster Mel Homer, at Corkscrew Hill in Co Clare.