Pop superstar Taylor Swift will soon celebrate her newly discovered Irish heritage as she prepares for three sold-out concerts at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium from June 28-30 as part of her Eras tour.
The Irish Emigration Museum (EPIC) and their genealogy partners, The Irish Family History Centre, have revealed Swift’s ancestral ties to Ireland through her great-great-great-grandmother, Mary Douglas (née Gwynn).
The tale of Taylor’s ancestors began on June 11, 1836, aboard a ship called AMY, sailing from Derry. Among the passengers were Susan Davis, a 21-year-old dressmaker, and Francis Gwynn, a 21-year-old weaver, both seeking new lives in America. Their meeting on the ship sparked a love story that would span generations, eventually leading to the birth of “Love Story” singer Taylor Swift.
After a two-month voyage, the AMY ship arrived in America, where Susan and Francis settled in Philadelphia. They married in 1839 and raised six children.
Francis Gwynn established a prosperous soap-making business, though their idyllic life was marred by the tragic deaths of five of their children.
Only Mary Douglas (née Gwynn), Taylor Swift’s great-great-great-grandmother, outlived her parents.
In December 1886, Mary buried her father, Francis, followed by her mother, Susan, in February of the following year.
“Susan and Francis’ story serves as a poignant reminder that love can help us endure the toughest journeys, a theme often encapsulated in Taylor’s lyrics,” said Eilish Carew of EPIC.
“As audiences prepare to witness Taylor’s performances in Ireland, we invite visitors to experience the moving and unforgettable stories of those who left Ireland and how they influenced and shaped the world.”
Fiona Fitzsimons, director at the Irish Family History Centre, emphasised the broader significance of the Gwynn family’s journey.
“The journey of Susan Davis and Francis Gwynn is not just a personal love story, but a testament to the resilience and courage of countless Irish emigrants.”
Swift, who also has English, Scottish, and Italian ancestry, has previously expressed her love for Ireland. In an interview with the Sunday World, she said, “Ireland is one of my favourite countries.
I am so in love with every movie shot in Ireland.”
At the time of the interview, Taylor (34) was single and expressed an interest in dating an Irishman. “I like guys,” she giggled. “The perfect guy for me has to have incredibly witty banter and a sense of humour and be very sarcastic.
I love sarcasm; I think it’s so funny. And self-deprecating humour is hilarious, too.”
When told that she described the typical Irish male, Taylor laughed, “I need to date an Irish guy.
That would be awesome. But he will have to have a great appreciation for music.
He doesn’t have to be in music or be a musician, just someone who loves music as much as I do.”
