Guest Stories

I wanted to share a very positive note about Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours and our recent trip to Ireland. This trip was an especially meaningful and unforgettable experience for our family (including our three daughters, ages 19, 24, and 26).

The itinerary was exceptional and showcased so many of the highlights of Ireland without getting bogged down in lines and crowds. From visiting the Rock of Cashel to exploring Killarney National Park and touring the Ring of Beara, every stop felt thoughtfully chosen and never rushed. Traveling along the Cliffs of Moher and through the Burren, with time in Galway, was breathtaking. Our stays at Sheen Falls, Ballynahinch Castle, and The Old Inn were each five-star. Each had their own unique character and exceptional service. If I could go back to Sheen Falls and spend a week there, I would!

As much as I can go on about the beauty of Ireland, the highlight for all of us is the personal touch Ireland Luxury Tours creates. Maurice was incredibly knowledgeable and always available while we were planning the trip. The absolute pinnacle of our trip was Billy Dempsy, the guide and driver of our tour. It’s rare to encounter someone who combines such warmth with deep expertise. He made a lasting impression on our entire family. I’m very grateful for the care, attention, and enthusiasm he brought to the experience. It was also fun to see that he seemed to know someone everywhere we went. We have made a lifelong friend.

I would highly recommend Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours  to anyone visiting Ireland.

Thank you for a truly wonderful experience.

Hi Mo,

I want to express my gratitude for your stewardship of a trip to Ireland taken by myself and my two sisters.  My sister Margaret Lyerly had a wish to take her two sisters to visit our grandparents’ home country.  Margaret has always felt deeply connected to our roots and wanted to share it with her sisters while having “sister time” without the distraction of other commitments.   I know Margaret had some specific requests for where we would go and what we would see, but the trip was really for you to flesh out the details.  I knew I would enjoy the trip and time with my sisters, but didn’t expect how much the trip would exceed any expectations I had.  Your choices were superb!  The hotels were wonderful offering numerous amenities, delicious dining, and spectacular settings.   I particularly loved Ballynahinch from the lovely room to the beautiful interior with its warm ambience and welcoming fire. The beautiful grounds brought me a first taste of Ireland as a temperate rainforest.  I am a true desert dweller, but I have felt an infinity for the Pacific Northwest and now I know why. 

I anticipated loving all the warm, funny, and welcoming people I met on the trip given my extended Irish family, but the reflective peace I found in so many places on this trip came as wonderful surprise.  Your careful curating of the sights we would see gave us a spectacular array of castles, abbeys and manor houses with stops in quaint villages and days of admiring the magnificent coast of Ireland.

Austin was a funny and knowledgeable guide who allowed us flexibility such as giving us plenty of shopping to suit my sisters’ needs.  He was also a very experienced and careful driver who instantly made us all relax including me the person in the front passenger seat. (Ireland’s winding and narrow lanes which must be shared with oncoming traffic have quite the reputation in the USA) 

Among the sights I will remember:  Aughnanure Castle (my first castle), the gardens of Kylemore Abbey, the carriage ride through the beautiful Killarney National Park, the Kerry Cliffs, the Book of Kells, and the thousands of sheep, cows, and cottages dotting the hills as we drove through the countryside. 

I have so much appreciation of Austin’s curation of our experience:  plenty of dining recommendations to meet our desire for the real food of Ireland; his quick assessment of our need to experience the best of Irish bake goods including the pursuit of the best scone;  his choice of taking us through the countryside and avoiding canned and crowded sites, and his quick recognition of a need to adjust for sister time.  He is a gem, but I am sure you will tell him the opposite – lol.

I did not know what to expect but I wanted my sister to have her dream of a wonderful sister trip.

You and Austin did so much more!!!  Slainte!

With much gratitude,

Christine O’ Connor

Our family of five had the most incredible trip to Ireland this past August, and we could not have asked for a better experience. From start to finish, everything was seamless thanks to our tour company and our amazing driver and guide, Austen.

We began in Dublin and traveled to the Rock of Cashel before making our way to Kenmare, where we stayed at the stunning Sheen Falls Lodge. It was truly beyond 5-star—the girls were delighted with their little robes and slippers, and their room even had a charming library stocked with children’s books. From there we explored Killarney National Park with a memorable carriage ride. Austen thoughtfully arranged our lunch and dinner reservations along the way, making every day effortless.

Next, we traveled to the Cliffs of Moher and then on to Galway, staying at the stylish G Hotel. From there, we continued into Northern Ireland where we based ourselves at the Culloden Estate & Spa. Highlights included the breathtaking Giant’s Causeway, a visit to Royal Portrush Golf Course, and fascinating time spent at both the Titanic Museum and the Ulster Folk Museum.

To finish, we stayed in Malahide at the Grand Hotel and enjoyed exploring the charming seaside town before heading home.

Every detail of our journey was perfectly arranged, allowing us to simply enjoy Ireland together as a family. Austen’s knowledge, kindness, and thoughtful planning made all the difference. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and we are so grateful to our tour company for making it happen! We cannot wait to explore Scotland!!5

Just wanted to thank all at Ireland Luxury Tours for a wonderful trip.

The level of care that you offered to my elderly parents was outstanding , and allowed me to enjoy the tour as well.

It will be a lifetime memory for them.

Your itinerary was very suitable and the choice of hotels excellent.

Austen was a first class driver/guide with so much knowledge to share.

My girlfriend and I are already planning to return next year and look forward to working with you again.

See you soon Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

We had always dreamed of visiting Ireland and in 2024 began to look at options for 2025.

Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours was recommended by friends.

However we thought they would be over our budget.

But we contacted Maurice and began discussing options.

Soon we had settled on an itinerary , and we were shocked at the price.

It was great value for money.

Having sampled the driver/guide experience with the brilliant Billy it was a great decision.

The hotels were beyond our expectations and the whole trip was just brilliant.

Thank you Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours for everything.

We used Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours for our vacation.
The planning was exceptional.
Our accommodations were an excellent mix of castles, manor houses, and traditional hotels.
We had Austen as a driver/guide and he was kind, knowledgeable, and fun.

It was a great tour, full of hidden gems and real culture of both countries.

A real success!!!!

Patrice

Maurice asked if we could write a short testimonial for our family trip to Ireland and Scotland.

That was the hard part! How do we fit such a wonderful trip into a short testimonial!

The tour was excellently planned and we saw the big stuff and many more memorable hidden gems.
All of the hotels were way above the standard we expected for the rates we paid.
The vehicle was comfortable and perfect for touring.
Our driver/guide Austen is now officially a member of the Tranter family.

What more can I say except ……
Thank you Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours for the vacation of a lifetime.

Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours took care of the details and made it easy to travel.

Billy is an exceptional driver and a joy as a guide.

Highly recommend them to create a wonderful trip to Ireland and Scotland for you.

Everything was fantastic overall , so this stuff is just nitpicky :

Hotels were great generally.

But Duck Bay wasn’t terrific (food was great though).

Also the room at The George had the worst bathroom so I highly recommend choosing a different room category there.

Stephen

Maurice and Austen,

A belated thank you for a fantastic tour of Northern Ireland.
As always Austen provided a view into Belfast , and Northern Ireland in general , that was unique and personal.
In fact , our day with Austen was the highlight of our cruise in the UK.
We hope our paths cross again the future.
All the best.

Regards,
Peter and Mary Fox