‘Would you dare to question who you really are?’ It was the question we asked at the launch of The DNA Journey, a campaign and competition destined to showcase that an open world starts with an open mind.
We offered up the chance for people from 17 different countries to learn a little bit more about their background and win one of 500 DNA kits. After a staggering 170,378 people entered the competition and movement, we handpicked our favourite 500 contestants and sent out the kits. By filming themselves reading their DNA results, they entered momondo’s competition to win a holiday based on their very own DNA journey, to the value of €1,000.
Galway’s Enda Quealy is our proud Irish winner of The DNA Journey. Congrats! To celebrate his nationwide victory, we spoke to Enda and asked why he decided to get involved in the journey, and how learning more about his DNA has shaped his outlook on the world.
1) What compelled you to join The DNA Journey?
In the video, I mentioned that I was adopted. This happened in the ‘70s and was an old-fashioned closed adoption arrangement, leaving me with no clue as to where my biological roots were from. I had considered DNA testing before, to ‘see what I was made of’, so when I saw the opportunity to apply for a DNA Journey, it made sense to go for it.
2) What did you already know about your heritage and DNA?
Nothing confirmed, although after a little digging into my biological mother’s ‘non-identifying details’, my partner and I came up with a background profile that we think fits me. DNA-wise, I suspected a little Scandinavian DNA in there somewhere, as I have a multi-coloured beard!
3) What did you expect to find in your results?
I had no preconceived notions, bar suspecting a little Scandinavian DNA, as mentioned above
4) How have the results and the “new found you” effected the way you see yourself within the world?
Finding out that I have traces of South Asian and Pacific Islander DNA was an interesting curve-ball but it hasn’t reprogrammed my view of myself, in the slightest.
5) How have the results changed the way you will travel?
I can’t see the results changing the way I will travel. I’ve always wanted to visit Scandinavia, and I will go but it’s not going to be in the style of “I always knew I was a Viking!”, or “I have to go to South Asia or Polynesia because <1% of my DNA comes from there!” But if a huge chunk of my DNA came from a very specific place, I would probably want to travel there.
6) Why is knowing your DNA important to you?
Everyone needs to know where they came from, right? As an adoptee, there can be a gaping hole in your being, from the denial of the basic background information that most people take for granted. It’s important to fill in some of the gaps, wherever you can. That said, that bottom line for me is that I have always felt part of the same species as every other person, despite the lengths that governments, organised religions and hate groups go to, to segregate us into ‘faiths’, colours, races, etc.
7) How does your DNA affect your national identity?
My national identity is psychological, not biological so no DNA result could affect that. Even if my results ended up the opposite way around, i.e. Polynesia 93%, South Asia 5%, Scandinavia <1%, Great Britain <1%, Ireland <1%, I’d still be Irish. That goes beyond DNA!
8) Why do you think the purpose behind The DNA Journey matters for the Ireland?
The purpose of LetsOpenOurWorld was to encourage travel and Ireland has always been a fantastic country to visit; so the more people travelling here, the merrier the place is, whether they have Irish DNA or not. It must also be interesting for Irish people to see how far flung we are, after the amount of forced immigration the country has suffered over the centuries. We have travelled far and wide..
9) Where will you go with your €1,000 prize fund, and what will you do there?
My first thoughts were to visit Scandinavia and experience the Northern Lights with my partner and son. I have to see how flexible the rules are on how the fund is spent.
10) Up until now, what has been your most amazing/memorable travel experience, and why?
Freediving around the Blue Hole in Dahab has to be one of my favourite travel memories. It evoked the highest feelings of freedom and an extra deep connection to nature.
Winner bio:
- Name: Enda Quealy
- Age: 43
- Occupation: Independant Sales Agent in the Professional Audio industry
- Citizenship: Irish
- City and country of residence: Galway, Ireland
DNA Results:
- 93% Ireland
- 5% Great Britain
- <1% Scandinavia
- <1% South Asia
- <1% Polynesia
