GS Chauffeurs Ireland: Gary Strain
This feature is part of an ongoing series where I highlight trusted members of my networks from the Ireland Travel Planning Tips Facebook Group—people who are passionate about helping you experience Ireland in a more authentic and stress-free way.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you established GS Chauffeurs Ireland?
I grew up in Derry in the northwest of Ireland and have always had a strong connection to the history, scenery and culture of this part of the country. Before establishing GS Chauffeurs Ireland, I worked in airport transfers and also ran a small family pizza business up until 2009. At that stage, balancing both businesses became extremely demanding, especially while raising a young family, so I decided to step back and focus more on family life.
My wife and I made the decision that I would spend more time at home helping raise our four children. As the children got older, I found myself with more flexibility again and naturally returned to the transport and tourism side of things, which had always been something I enjoyed.
Over the years, I realized that many visitors to Ireland were looking for something more personal than large coach tours. They wanted flexibility, local insight and genuine experiences. That is really how GS Chauffeurs Ireland developed, offering private chauffeur-driven tours with a personal touch, local storytelling and the ability to tailor each trip to the client rather than following a fixed script.
Growing up in Derry and travelling extensively around Donegal, the Causeway Coast and the West of Ireland with my own family has given me a genuine appreciation for the beauty and history of Ireland, and I enjoy sharing that experience with visitors from all over the world.
What inspired you to focus on private chauffeur tours rather than traditional group tours?
I’ve always enjoyed talking to people, and driving has always been where I’m most comfortable. Over the years, I’ve met people from all walks of life, and I’ve found that some of the best conversations happen while travelling from one place to another.
I’ve also always liked the flexibility that comes with private touring. No two groups are the same, and I enjoy being able to adapt the day around my guests’ interests rather than following a rigid schedule. If someone wants to stop for a photograph, explore a hidden gem, visit an ancestral location or simply spend more time somewhere they love, we can make that happen.
One of the things I enjoy most about this work is meeting new people and building genuine friendships. I love hearing the stories of visitors from all over the world and learning about their backgrounds and experiences. In many cases, guests arrive as clients and leave as friends.
Private chauffeur touring allows me to combine all of those things — driving, meeting people, sharing the history and beauty of Ireland, and creating a relaxed and personal experience that simply isn’t possible on a large group tour.
What areas of Ireland do you typically cover and what are some of your personal favorite stops that visitors might not expect?
Being from Derry, my favorite place to visit will always be the city where I grew up. I was born in the early 1980s and raised in the Bogside, right in the heart of the Troubles. Having witnessed the transformation of Derry over the years, I enjoy sharing not only its history but also its remarkable journey into the vibrant and welcoming city it is today.
After Derry, I would have to say the northwest of Ireland is my favorite part of the country. From the rugged coastline of Donegal to the stunning landscapes of Sligo, often referred to as Yeats Country after the poet W.B. Yeats, the scenery is simply breathtaking. These are places that have inspired writers, artists and visitors for generations.
West Donegal is particularly special to me. It remains one of the most unspoilt parts of Ireland, with dramatic sea cliffs, quiet beaches, traditional villages and a sense of peace that can be difficult to find elsewhere. It’s the kind of place where visitors can experience the Ireland they often dream about before they arrive.
What I enjoy most is showing guests both the famous attractions and the lesser-known places that many tourists never discover. Those hidden viewpoints, local stories and unexpected stops often become the memories that stay with people long after they return home.
Being from Derry, how does your local knowledge shape the experience you offer travelers?
Growing up in Derry has definitely shaped the way I guide visitors. I was born in the early 1980s and raised in the Bogside, so many of the events I talk about are things I witnessed myself or experienced growing up.
One thing I always try to do is take a balanced approach. Northern Ireland has a complicated history, and I feel it’s important to give visitors an understanding of the different perspectives and experiences that people had. Rather than taking sides, I prefer to share what I saw, what I learned from those around me, and the historical facts, allowing visitors to make up their own minds.
I think guests appreciate hearing about Derry from someone who has lived here all their life. Whether we’re talking about the Troubles, the city walls, local characters, or how much the city has changed over the years, I can share stories and experiences that come from growing up here rather than from a guidebook.
For me, it’s about helping visitors understand not just the history of a place, but the people who lived through it and the community that exists here today.
What does a typical day look like for clients who travel with you?
I always make a point of being early when meeting my guests, whether it’s a couple, a family or a solo traveler. From the moment we meet, I want them to feel welcome and relaxed. I think that’s something that comes naturally from being from Derry. We are known for our friendliness, and I like to think I bring that same warmth to every tour.
Once we get underway, I like to tailor the day around my guests’ interests. While there may be a planned itinerary, I’m always happy to adapt it along the way. After visiting some of the key sights, I try to include a lunch stop somewhere traditional where visitors can enjoy local food and experience a little of everyday Irish life.
The afternoon is often spent exploring more of the region, taking in the scenery, history and hidden gems that make each area unique. Some of the best moments happen when we take a slight detour or stop somewhere unexpected.
Most importantly, I never want guests to feel rushed. If a day runs a little longer because people are enjoying themselves, I don’t mind at all. My priority is making sure they have a memorable experience while also ensuring they are back at their hotel, airport or cruise ship comfortably and on time.
Many first-time visitors to Ireland tend to visit the southwest. Why should they add Ireland’s northwest to their itinerary and what, in your opinion, is the best time to visit that region of the island?
Many first-time visitors automatically head towards Dublin, Kerry and the Cliffs of Moher, and while those places are certainly worth seeing, I think they’re missing a huge part of Ireland if they don’t include the northwest.
What makes the northwest special is that it still feels authentic and unspoilt. You have the historic city of Derry, the stunning Causeway Coast, and some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere in Ireland in County Donegal. The coastline, mountains, beaches and small villages offer a side of Ireland that many visitors don’t expect.
Donegal also holds a unique place in Irish history as the last part of Gaelic Ireland to fall under British rule during the Ulster Plantation.
One of the things guests often tell me is how surprised they are by how uncrowded the northwest can be. You can stand on a beautiful beach, visit a dramatic viewpoint or drive through breathtaking countryside without the crowds that are common in some of Ireland’s more famous tourist destinations.
As for the best time to visit, I would say May, June and September are often excellent months, but the truth is Irish weather can be very unpredictable. You can enjoy beautiful sunshine from spring right through to November, and sometimes experience four seasons in one day. That’s all part of the charm, and often those dramatic skies make the scenery even more spectacular.
For me, the northwest offers the perfect combination of history, scenery, culture and genuine Irish hospitality, which is why I never tire of showing it to visitors.
I believe you also offer golf, ancestry and genealogy-related niche tours? Can you tell us more about that?
Golf and genealogy tours are two areas that I particularly enjoy because they offer a more personal experience of Ireland.
Ireland is famous for its golf courses, and I regularly transport golfers to some of the country’s most spectacular links courses, particularly in the northwest. Places such as Ballyliffin, Rosapenna, Portsalon, Narin & Portnoo, Enniscrone and Royal Portrush attract golfers from all over the world. I have luxury Mercedes V-Class vehicles, making it easy for groups to travel comfortably between courses and hotels.
I was hired during The Open at Royal Portrush to provide chauffeur services for members of the World Feed broadcast team, where I had the privilege of looking after a number of high-end guests throughout the championship. While I cannot mention all of the individuals I worked with, I can say that they included well-known golfing figures such as Sam Torrance and Nicolas Colsaerts. It was a fantastic experience and further strengthened my connection with the golfing community.
Genealogy tours are something I have become increasingly interested in over the last few years. One experience that really stood out was helping an American family trace their roots back to County Leitrim. Their ancestors had left Ireland during the turbulent years around the Irish Civil War, and being able to help them visit the places connected to their family history was incredibly rewarding.
What struck me most was the emotional connection people feel when they finally stand in the place where their family story began. It’s not just about visiting a location; it’s about reconnecting with a part of their identity and heritage.
Whether it’s a golf trip or an ancestry tour, I enjoy helping visitors create meaningful memories and experience Ireland in a way that is personal to them rather than simply following a standard itinerary.
For those interested in a golf trip, what can they expect if they book a tour with you?
If golfers book a tour with me, they can expect professionalism, reliability and a relaxed experience from start to finish. My goal is to make the trip as enjoyable off the course as it is on it.
Ireland’s golf courses are set amongst some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, so the journey between courses becomes part of the experience. Whether we’re traveling along the Causeway Coast, through Donegal or down the Wild Atlantic Way, there’s always plenty to see along the way.
I like to keep things relaxed. There might be a few cold beers waiting after a round, plenty of local knowledge and recommendations, and most importantly, I’ll be there to help with anything guests need throughout their trip. I want golfers to focus on enjoying Ireland and their golf while I take care of the rest.
If you had one perfect day to show someone Ireland, what would it include?
If I had one perfect day to show someone Ireland, I would start in Mullaghmore, County Sligo, with its stunning coastal views and dramatic backdrop of Benbulben. From there, I’d travel through the Gleniff Horseshoe, one of Ireland’s most spectacular hidden valleys, where the scenery feels almost untouched by time.
After that, we’d make our way to the Slieve League Cliffs in Donegal, which are among the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Along the way, I’d stop for lunch at Nancy’s in Ardara, one of my favorite traditional Irish pubs. Before reaching the cliffs, I’d also include a stop at the beautiful Malin Beg Beach and the Silver Strand, one of Donegal’s hidden gems.
To finish the day, we’d head to Grianán of Aileach, the ancient hilltop fort overlooking Lough Foyle, where I’d hope to catch one of Ireland’s spectacular sunsets. After taking in the views and thousands of years of history, we’d round off the day with a few pints of Guinness in Derry, perhaps at Peadar O’Donnell’s, listening to some traditional Irish music and reflecting on a day that captures everything I love about Ireland—history, scenery, great food and great company.
How can travelers best get in touch with you or start planning their trip?
The best way to get in touch with me is through my website, social media pages (Facebook and Instagram), email or WhatsApp. I always encourage people to reach out, even if they’re only at the early planning stages of their trip.
One of the things I enjoy most is helping visitors put together an itinerary that suits their interests, whether that’s history, scenery, golf, genealogy or simply experiencing Ireland at a relaxed pace. Every group is different, and I’m always happy to offer suggestions based on what they would like to see and do.
I believe the best trips start with a conversation. Once I understand what guests are looking for, I can help create a personalized experience that allows them to get the most from their time in Ireland.
Gary’s website is gschauffeursireland.com. You can reach via WhatsApp at 44 7756 267308.
Gary is a member of my Licensed Private Driver Network.
