Sheenco Travel began trading in 2012 under the name Shamrock Vacations and has since grown into the leading name in luxury travel to Ireland and the UK. Proudly Irish-owned and operated, Sheenco continues to provide exceptional bespoke experiences while expanding its reach throughout the USA. Discover more about our journey and how we’ve built our reputation for excellence.
So how did it all begin?
In 2011, Sheenco Travel’s founders, Isabella O’Connor and Genevieve Sheehan, found themselves at a crossroads. They had been working for a West Cork-based travel company, which, like many businesses, fell victim to the global recession. After taking some time to reflect, they saw an opportunity—to build something of their own.
With Genevieve’s background in sales and Isabella’s expertise as a qualified accountant, they had the perfect foundation for a new venture. With the support of family, friends (you know who you are!), and the Local Enterprise Office in West Cork, Shamrock Vacations was born. This bold step marked the beginning of what would become Sheenco Travel, now a leader in luxury travel to Ireland and the UK.
Why did you change the name?
In 2016, we rebranded as Sheenco Travel to better reflect our unique identity, luxury focus, and future expansion plans. Here’s why:
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A Distinctive Luxury Brand – The name Shamrock is widely used in the Irish travel market, and we wanted a brand that would stand out as the leader in Luxury Travel to Ireland and the UK.
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Expanding Beyond Ireland – As we quickly grew to include Luxury Travel in the UK, we didn’t want to limit future expansion with a name tied solely to Ireland. Additionally, as we entered new markets, “travel” was a more universally recognized term than “vacations.”
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Trademark & Growth Potential – The shamrock, as a national emblem, cannot be trademarked, which posed challenges for our long-term plans, including franchising. Choosing Sheenco Travel gave us a distinctive, protected brand to build upon.
The name Sheenco reflects both our Irish heritage and our commitment to delivering exceptional, stress-free luxury travel experiences—something we continue to do with pride today.
Why Sheenco?
Sheenco Travel was Isabella’s brainchild, with the name cleverly crafted from letters in Sheehan and O’Connor—a fitting tribute to the company’s Irish roots. Interestingly, “síocháin” (pronounced shee-can) is the Irish word for peace, which perfectly reflects the seamless, stress-free experiences Sheenco Travel creates for its guests. “We’ll put the sheen on your travel plans,” Isabella laughs, and with the exceptional service and attention to detail that Sheenco Travel provides, this couldn’t be more true. Every journey with Sheenco is polished to perfection, ensuring a luxury experience that shines from start to finish.
What makes Sheenco Travel different?
At Sheenco Travel, luxury isn’t just a label—it’s the foundation of everything we do. We set ourselves apart with our exclusive focus on high-end travel, ensuring our guests experience only the finest 4-star and 5-star accommodations. A particular highlight of our itineraries is the stunning collection of castles available throughout Ireland and the UK, where guests can indulge in rich history, breathtaking surroundings, and world-class hospitality.
However, what truly sets Sheenco apart is our unwavering commitment to exceptional service. From the moment you first contact us to long after your (reluctant!) return home, our team is there to ensure a seamless, stress-free, and truly personalized experience. Our friendly, close-knit team doesn’t just meet expectations—we effortlessly exceed them, crafting bespoke journeys that leave a lasting impression.
At Sheenco Travel, we don’t just plan vacations—we create once-in-a-lifetime experiences filled with luxury, authenticity, and unforgettable moments.
What’s next for Sheenco Travel?
The past few years have brought significant changes for Sheenco Travel. In 2019, Isabella made a well-timed exit (we’re convinced she has psychic abilities! 😉) to embrace a more relaxed lifestyle. Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, Genevieve remained committed to Sheenco’s expansion plans—though on a slightly delayed timeline. By 2023, all sales operations had successfully transitioned to the US, and the company continues to grow, expanding its US-based team of Luxury Travel Specialists while maintaining an exceptional operations team in Ireland to ensure guests receive the highest level of service on the ground.
When asked about the timing of the expansion, Genevieve laughs, saying, “Having started a business in a recession, when else would you expand but in a pandemic?!” Thanks to a dedicated team and strong communication with both guests and staff, Sheenco Travel emerged from the pandemic stronger than ever. Today, the company continues to thrive and innovate, delivering unforgettable luxury experiences. The future has never looked brighter!
