Grace Crampsie-Smith has traveled to Ireland many times and cherishes each stay.

But none of her trips measured up to one she took last summer.

On that vacation, the Summit Hill native saw where her ancestors lived - and even met some of her distant relatives.

“I can’t even describe the feeling to go to the land where I knew my ancestors were,” said Crampsie-Smith, Bethlehem.

She spent two weeks exploring Ardara, County Donegal, and other areas.

She planned the trip after learning information from a cousin who was studying the family’s genealogy. The cousin found that the tiny town in Ireland’s northwest corner was home to the family of their late grandmother, Anna Doherty Shober, who lived in Lansford.

Some distant relatives remained in Ardara, and it wasn’t long before Crampsie-Smith ran into Eddie Doherty.

“Eddie is one of the last weavers left in Ireland and has a famous weaving shop in Ardara. Some famous folks such as Sarah Jessica Parker have gone to this shop to buy his items,” she noted.

Next door is Doherty’s Pub, which is operated by one of Eddie’s sons.

“When I met them and when I went into the town, it was just like my heart just blossomed,” she said. “It was really cool.”

Crampsie-Smith said she learned that the Dohertys left Ireland for America, where they found work in anthracite coal mines.

She also found that her father’s side of the family - the Crampsies - were from Glenties.

“The towns of Ardara and Glenties are actually right next to each other,” she said, and noted that her father was Summit Hill Police Chief Jack Crampsie.

She visited Glenties, and also Aronmore Island, where her great-great grandmother lived.

Crampsie-Smith said her last trip was her sixth but not her last.

“I absolutely love it. I have friends there but I never met relatives - this was the first time I met relatives,” she said.

She admitted that she “absolutely loves” Ireland.

She said its people are among the friendliest, and its scenery is breathtaking. She enjoys hearing the Irish accent, and tapping along to traditional music.

“I would live there if I could. I would live there in a heartbeat. I feel like my bones are there, I feel like I just belong there. That’s where I’m from. My family and ancestors came here yet my bones and my soul are still in Ireland. It sounds weird but it’s how I feel,” she said.

Crampsie Smith said she will return.

“Now my children want to go and meet their relatives,” she said. “I may even go back this summer.”