Starting in those days living in Ireland, along with vacation travels since, I have crossed the Atlantic a couple dozen times or so. Also trip to the far east (Taiwan, with stops in Japan and Korea). I travelled to Ireland three times after returning to the US from my three year stay there. Lovely country, both Northern Ireland and the Republic. Also Scotland...when I lived there I visited Scotland several times...would take my car on the ferry from Larne to Stranraer, about a 2 1/2 hour crossing then.
On one vacation trip I had the privilege to travel with my Dad to England (his mother was born there) where we looked up ancestral stomping grounds and visited relatives. That was an extraordinary time together with Dad, and we found the house where his mother was born.
Sounds like you have had some grand adventures and wonderful memories. It must have been remarkably touching to visit where your mom was born. Your travels are treasures that will stay with you always.
I’m a certified tour director and one of my instructors was a fairly well known character actor who lived in Ireland for six months out of the year where he conducts tours. I attended my classes in Hollywood and met several actors while there but he was the most genuinely warm and memorable.