I agree with the other people who have posted replies. They will be as curious about family in the U.S. as you are about the property, the history, and them.
I had a similar discovery, though, different. Located a distant cousin for whom I had little information (just a letter she had written years ago to my now deceased mother...who would be a true cousin to her) via the help of a B&B owner in the same county (ahead of our trip). The addresses in much of Ireland are just the names, then the town/county. Turns out their daughter taught his grandchildren at a local Catholic school....so I did ask the right person. Short version: They met and took us around to see where my great grandparents had lived, where my grandmother was raised (ruins of a very modest cottage) with her dozen or so siblings...and I had a photo of that cottage that my mother had given to me decades earlier....never dreaming I would "step into that photo."), the local church that has the family headstones, and on and on. Unfortunately the land on which the cottage ruins stand is no longer in the family...I was told a farmer owns it. The thought crossed my mind about trying to buy it, but then logic set in...not practical...not a wise investment for several reasons, and it was not "for sale."
She mentioned to me that the local church regularly prays for the immigrants (those who left Ireland for America, granted now decades and decades ago). She said "You are the first immigrants to visit us." As much as that word is so easily tossed around (sometimes recently in a negative way in our country) , it underscores that so many of our families came from somewhere else to now make up the fabric of America.............
We shared photos (saved on phone) of where we live, my siblings, etc. I could tell as they politely looked at the photos, it was so different seeing how we lived. She had been to NYC twice to visit relatives/attend a funeral for her brother, but not to other places in the U.S.
One of my favorite photos is of me walking the grounds where my great grandparents "farmed." It put things in perspective when the cousin shared how during the tough times in Ireland, a neighbor might toss a cabbage over the fence (and that is what the large family would have for food that day)........wow. She explained townslands and the such and how dances (decades ago) would be held at certain places (that I took to be intersections of some sort).
We did not "pay a visit" as the Irish say, but she pointed out a nice house where relatives from the other side of the family (great grandfather's side) live today.
I sent a gift and a heart-felt note after returning home. She was focused a lot on just what the postage cost to send it. We have stayed in touch...holiday season and also a couple of more times a year. That visit was approximately 11 years ago.
For the most part, the Irish Iive rather modestly. ...at least in County Roscommon.
No doubt, both you and the family (your extended family) who lives on the land you will visit with enjoy special time together. You are lucky the thatched cottage is still in good repair, too. I am so happy for you, and I know it will be a very, very special visit for you and them.
I am guessing you have already found old Irish census info and the such on your family, too. I could not find birth certificate info on my grandmother, and the cousin confirmed she understood the records had burned in a church fire. Otherwise, I might have dual citizenship now ;o If you are blessed to have old family photos (or other info) for when your Irish ancestors lived on the land, the current family (your cousin) would likely find those of interest, too.
Have fun....special times ahead for you...as you "walk into history" in the present....enjoy every moment.
