As of February 2007, Carolyn Janette and Phil Ryan were trying to get their start-up tourism company off the ground from their Madison living room.

The couple created Inroads Ireland with plans to take clients on "off the beaten track" tours last summer with Dublin-native Ryan as tour guide.

"The first season went really well," Ryan said.

With a capacity of 16 people per tour, the company was to offer a middle ground between rugged backpacking and a traditional bus tour. Last summer, two of the 14 tours filled to capacity and the rest ranged from four to 12 people, Ryan said.

"We came out even and really exceeded our expectations for our first year," Ryan said.

This year, they are continuing to offer one-week tours of southern Ireland and are also offering a tour of Northern Ireland, an up-and-coming vacation destination.

Seven of 10 tours this summer are already sold out. The Web site is www.InroadsIreland.com.

— Deborah Ziff

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