Ireland's Tourism Ambassadors
This Q&A series highlights Ireland on a Budget's “Tourism Ambassadors,” a cross-section of people from the tourism industry in Ireland who work tirelessly to promote their own businesses as well as the island of Ireland.
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The section is being updated regularly, so be sure to check back often. If you know of a Tourism Ambassador who deserves attention, let me know by emailing [email protected].
AB Tours, Alan Byrne
If you're looking for someone to take you around Dublin's attractions who is both a native Dubliner and an expert in Irish history, you won't be disappointed in Alan Byrne of AB Tours.
Read more about Alan's tour company AB Tours
About Ireland Taxi Tours
Have you thought about seeing Ireland by taxi? It's not as unusual as you might think.
Learn how Cork native Robert McAuliffe turned his novel idea into a thriving touring company.
Atlantic Coastal Cruises, Johnny and Patrice Gallagher
Learn about husband-and-wife team Johnny and Patrice Gallagher and their venture based in Killybegs, Co. Donegal, called Atlantic Coastal Cruises.
Johnny says he has always had a love of the sea and realized the opportunity for this kind of business given the natural beauty of Donegal and the presence of the Wild Atlantic Way in this part of Ireland.
Read more about Atlantic Coastal Cruises.
Ballybur Castle, Mhairi Gray
Are you dreaming of staying in an Irish castle? Tourism Ambassador Mhairi Gray is dying to welcome you to her family home, a 16th-century castle!
A stay at this completely renovated castle is ideal for a family or a large group of friends. Find out more about this fascinating place just 5 miles (8 km) from Kilkenny City.
Read more about Mhairi Gray and her popular tourism destination Ballybur Castle.
Burren Farm Experience, Bronagh and Cathal O'Rourke
Discover what it's like to run a farm in the barren landscape of The Burren in County Clare.
Ireland on a Budget Tourism Ambassadors Bronagh and Cathal O'Rourke, 5th-generation dry beef farmers, provide a variety of tours and experiences for visitors on their 500-acre farm.
Read more about the Burren Farm Experience.
Derrie Danders Walking and Audio Tours, David Douglas
Discover the beautiful city of Derry/Londonderry with David Douglas of Derrie Danders Walking and Audio Tours.
Stroll the streets of Derry with David as he uncovers its rich history, including its troubled past, and what makes it truly special as the only completely walled city on the island of Ireland.
Read more about Derrie Danders Walking and Audio Tours.
Book An All-Inclusive Vacation Package to Ireland or Other Countries in Europe with Aer Lingus
Donegal Tour Guide, Henry Doohan
If you're looking for a private tour of Donegal, one of Ireland's most beautiful counties, be sure to check out Donegal Tour Guide, run by Henry Doohan.
Henry is not only sought out as an expert tour guide of his native Donegal. He also serves as a private driver, picking up passengers at the airport and bringing them to their destination.
Find out more about this friendly Donegal Tour Guide.
Dublin City Tours, Alan Swaine
Take a guided tour with Alan Swaine of Dublin City Tours and learn all about Dublin's many secrets.
Alan's favorite Dublin destination is the beautiful Christchurch Cathedral in the heart of the city, which has stood in the center of Dublin for at least 1,000 years.
Find out more about Alan's tour business, Dublin City Tours.
Electric Escapes, Paul Harmon
Take a cycle on either a traditional bike or an E-bike with Electric Escapes.
The company is run by Paul Harmon, originally from the U.K.
After traveling the world with his wife, Marie, he found himself in County Mayo and fell in love with the area.
Needless to say, Paul is still in Mayo and enjoying every minute of it, including showing visitors this spectacular part of Ireland and serving as a great tourism ambassador for the West of Ireland region.
Read more about Electric Escapes.
Experiencing Ireland Tours, Trudy Carmody
Discover, explore and experience Ireland with Trudy Carmody, the founder of Experiencing Ireland Tours.
Trudy is focused not only on bringing her guests to popular tourist destinations but more importantly, showing them the real Ireland.
In addition to being a tour operator, Trudy is also sought out as an ancestry expert, having helped many people discover their ancestral roots, and in some cases, their ancestral homesteads.
Find out more about Trudy's successful tourism venture, Experiencing Ireland Tours.
Gallivanting Tours, Lorraine O'Dwyer
If you're looking for an authentic experience in Ireland, Lorraine O'Dwyer of Gallivanting Tours is the company to book with.
Lorraine is a passionate tourism ambassador, representing the very best of everything you'll find in Ireland. She's an expert in the local food offerings as well as food heritage and offers an all-inclusive experience that you won't forget in a hurry.
Read more about Lorraine and Gallivanting Tours.
Galway City Walking Tours, Brian Nolan
Brian Nolan, the founder of Galway City Walking Tours, gained experience in the tourism business while living in the United States and has taken those skills and put them to good use as an excellent and much sought-after tour guide in the city of Galway.
Brian's tours cover every inch of the City of the Tribes and he is a great ambassador for tourism in Ireland.
Read more about Galway City Walking Tours.
Galway Tour Guide, Gerry Hanley
Gerry Hanley's tours of Galway city and the surrounding area are perfect for tourists who want to experience the “real” Ireland.
Gerry's tours are also about making the connection between Ireland and other countries and telling some interesting stories along the way.
Find out more about this former engineer and now a tour guide.
Hilltop Treks, Terry Lambert
Whether you're interested in a daylong walk, an extended walking holiday, or self-guided walking tours, be sure to reach out to Hilltop Treks.
Owner Terry Lambert has walked pretty much all of Ireland and the guides he chooses are known for their in-depth knowledge of the local areas they cover.
Read more about Terry's passion for Ireland and his successful tourism business, Hilltop Treks.
Read More: Where to Go Walking in Ireland: 10 Walks that Showcase Ireland's Real Beauty
Hillwalk Tours
Is hill walking something you'd be interested in doing during your Ireland vacation?
Hillwalk Tours offers a number of budget-friendly tours in Ireland. In addition, they offer walking tours in England, Scotland, and Wales, as well as Spain (the Camino Frances). Find out more about this eco-friendly Tourism Ambassador.
Irish Music Tours, Bronagh Given and Sean Kearns
If the thought of attending traditional Irish music sessions by night and seeing Ireland's popular attractions by day is appealing to you, be sure to consider Irish Music Tours.
Discover how the creators, Sean Kearns and Bronagh Given, started the tour company and how you can join them on an exciting tour in 2024.
Off the Beaten Path: Owen Clarke
Explore all of County Donegal's hidden jewels with accomplished photographer and tour guide Owen Clarke.
Based on Tory Island, one of Donegal's beautiful offshore islands, Clarke is looking forward to welcoming visitors and having them see his part of the world on electric fat bikes.
Learn more about Off the Beaten Path tours.
Oul House, P.J. McClay
While P.J. McClay might not be a traditional “Tourism Ambassador,” the Donegal native who now lives in Boston is highlighting an important part of Ireland's rich heritage – its old, abandoned cottages that tell a story of the country's tragic past.
There are thousands of such cottages scattered across the country, many left to decay.
Read more about my conversation with P.J. on the renovation of this unique 200-year-old building.
Teapot Lane Glamping, Derval McGovern
Have you tried glamping? Meet Derval McGovern, owner of Teapot Lane Glamping in Co. Leitrim.
Derval tells me all about this popular accommodation in Ireland, a more luxurious form of camping, and what her glamping site offers to visitors.
Read More about Teapot Lane Glamping.
The Ireland Travel Club, Annie Stackpole & Grace Donaldson
If you're looking for a tour company that offers an authentic experience of Ireland, you'll want to book with these two young ladies, the founders of The Ireland Travel Club.
Annie and Grace promise to take their visitors off the beaten path and become totally immersed in Irish culture.
Find out more about the Ireland Travel Club.
Wild Atlantic Cultural Tours
Discover the ruggedness and beauty of the North Mayo coastline with Denis Quinn, a Failte Ireland-approved tour guide and owner of Wild Atlantic Cultural Tours.
Denis was born in Dublin but has family in Co. Mayo, where he has made his home for the past 20 years.
Take a guided cultural and historical tour with Denis, an adventure that also includes foraging on the Wild Atlantic Way coastline and so much more.
Read more about Wild Atlantic Cultural Tours.