11 Private Tour Guides In Ireland: Top Picks for 2023!
Got a trip to Ireland coming up and you’re looking for private tour guides in Ireland because it’s your first time here?
You’ve come to the right place!
As people who love independent travel, we used to balk at the idea of tours and tour guides, but I’ve come to realize that just because you choose to take a private tour doesn’t make you any less of a traveler!
Plus a private tour means you don’t have to deal with waiting around for the group and can explore what you want, at your own pace. What’s not to like about that?
We’re Aisha and Ger, and between us, we’ve spent many hours wandering around the gorgeous Emerald Isle.
We have accumulated our fair share of private tours in Ireland that we love and want to share with you!
Our top recommend choice based on personal experience is :
Top Choice Of Private Tour Guides In Ireland: Cliffs of Moher Luxury Car Tour
Save your time researching and waiting around in group tours by reading our list of guides with the best private tours so you can save all that energy to go out and explore!
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Top Choice of Private Tour Guides In Ireland
1. Cliffs of Moher Luxury Car Tour
⭐️Rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars, with 76 positive reviews
⌛️Tour Length: 8 to 12 hours
Why choose this tour?
The real question is why not pick this Ireland tour?
You will not have any doubts about going with this amazing luxury private tour of Cliffs of Moher with Liberty Irish Tours because it is the ultimate private tour experience with a touch of glamour and class.
The tour generally covers a trip to the incredibly scenic Cliffs of Moher and will take you along the Wild Atlantic Way, but in between, you’re at full liberty to customize it in whatever way you want.
Want to stop for some gourmet Irish food? Sure, your driver will make the arrangements for you!
Think you could do a short hike in between? No problem, just let them know!
Whatever your requirements, this is one of the private tour guides in Ireland that’ll go the extra mile to meet your travel needs and wants, while doing so with much hospitality and many smiles.
Being on a customized private tour also means you don’t have to sit around and wait for others, or get up at an ungodly hour – choose your pick-up time and location, and let the private tour company do their magic. You’ll be dazzled for sure!
The Cliffs of Moher Luxury Car Tour includes:
- Private luxury transportation
- Fees and taxes
- English-speaking tour guide
- Private driver
What past guests loved about the tour:
“This is more than just a tour of the Cliffs – we had a full tour of the southern part of the island, including several castles and stops for views and even a visit to a chocolate factory!
Our driver was phenomenal. He was so kind and willing to be flexible to our expectations and was full of great tour knowledge!
And also had a very nice car and accommodations for us. Highly recommend this tour if you are visiting Ireland even for a couple of days!”
– Thalia B (Read more reviews)
Runners Up For Private Tour Guides In Ireland
2. Private Dingle Peninsula Full-Day Tour
⭐️Rating: 5 out of 5 stars, with 39 positive reviews
⌛️Tour length: 7 hours
Why choose this tour?
Speak to any local and they’ll probably recommend that you visit the Dingle Peninsula, and for good reason.
This area is beautiful, accessible (with this tour!), and hopelessly charming.
When you’re driving up to Dingle Peninsula, you’ll also go past the Wild Atlantic Way, a tourist route that covers most of Ireland’s west coast, from Northern Ireland all the way to the south.
While that route is staggeringly long, the journey up to Dingle just covers a part of it – the Slea Head Drive.
You’ll get to visit key spots like Beehive Huts, view The Blasket Islands, and even get to hold a baby lamb!
Your private tour guide, a local, will provide a personalized tour experience where they’ll pepper your journey with facts about Ireland, its history, and its culture as you take in the views.
The Private Dingle Peninsula Full-Day Tour includes:
- Private transportation from Dingle accommodation
- English-speaking tour driver guide
What past guests loved about the tour:
“We had an amazing day with our guide. He picked us up at our hotel in Killarney and we spent the day on the peninsula.
Although it was rainy and cool, we still had good visibility of all the major sites. He took us to several archeological sites and we even held a baby lamb. Lunch was in Dingle which is a colorful charming town.
The mountain passes are spectacular and the beaches are beautiful. As a native, he knew so much about the area, both past and present. We thoroughly enjoyed our day.”
– Joy L (Read more reviews)
3. Wicklow: Private Day Tour from Dublin
⭐️Rating: 5 out of 5 stars, with positive reviews
⌛️Tour Length: 8 hours
Why choose this tour?
Prefer scenic views compared to city life? Don’t worry you can still get that even if you’re visiting Dublin. Just take this private tour which will bring you out for a day to the breathtaking Wicklow Mountains.
Wicklow Mountains National Park has it all – valleys, streams, scenic winding roads, and amazing coastal views. It was also the backdrop of many famous films like P.S. I Love You and Leap Year.
The tour will pick you up at any location of your choice.
You’ll then embark on a picturesque drive into County Wicklow, during which your experienced guide will share stories and facts about the places you are about to visit.
En route, you’ll also get an opportunity to visit the Powerscourt House Gardens in Enniskerry where you can also grab a cuppa and some pastries at a cafe.
Your drive to Wicklow will be undoubtedly scenic but your guide will also make sure you get your fair share of picture-worthy pitstops along the way.
A lunch stop near Glendalough is included but you’ll need to bear your own cost for food and drinks.
Because of the tour’s nature, they’ll also be happy to accommodate any other stops and attractions along the way – just speak to them and they’ll work something out!
The Wicklow: Private Day Tour from Dublin includes:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Experienced English-speaking guide
What past guests loved about the tour:
“Our guide, Gillian, could not have been better. She was knowledgeable, friendly, and full of incredibly interesting tidbits about the area and its history. Her stories really brought things to life, but she also gave us freedom to roam and see things without any pressure. I can’t stress enough how very much we enjoyed this trip – and with three generations along that is truly saying something! Thanks again!!”
– A GetYourGuide Traveler (Read more reviews)
4. Private Tours with adventure activities, music, Irish pub, sightseeing & more
⭐️Rating: 5 out of 5 stars, with 10 positive reviews
⌛️Tour Length: 9.5 hours
Why choose this tour?
This tour is one for those who are game for adventure and an experience like no other.
The best part is you won’t need any prior skills or experience – your tour guides will make sure they prepare and coach you well for these activities.
Depending on your preferences, your day could include a kayak to ancient ruins, a mountain hike, and even rock climbing. We hear the kayak trip even includes a trip to a castle ruin that is only accessible by water.
Lastly, no trip to Ireland is complete without a classic Irish pint in a rustic pub – your guide will make sure of that!
This experience is hands-down one of the most fuss-free experiences because they’ll handle all the activity preparation and payment. You just need to bring yourself!
The Private Tours with adventure activities, music, Irish pub, sightseeing & more includes:
- Taxes and fees
- All activities
- Local English-speaking guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Live entertainment
- Private transportation with a private tour
What past guests loved about the tour:
“We’ve traveled in Ireland for 9 days with the Marcus Magee as our local guide. Marcus is an amazing guy with good energy, big smile and always willing to help.
One of our best moments of the trip was the local evening at his house – his hospitality was amazing and it was a great pleasure to talk, eat and sing with his family.
He’s an excellent singer & guitar player and will teach you the best of the Irish Folklore. On one of the days we did kayaking and it was so much fun!
He is very professional, skillful and trustworthy. Marcus is full of knowledge and experience to make your trip the perfect experience in Ireland.
Definitely made me want to come back to Ireland and I would highly recommend Marcus Magee and Rural Adventure. Thank you Marcus.”
– A Tripadvisor Reviewer (Read more reviews)
5. 4-Hour Slea Head Drive Tour – Personal Chauffeur Guided Tour
⭐️Rating: 5 out of 5 stars, with 22 positive reviews
⌛️Tour length: 4 hours
Why choose this tour?
If you’re planning to visit Dingle Peninsula (and you most definitely should!) then this half-day private chauffeur guided tour should be one of your top choices.
Your private tour guide will plan a personalized tour itinerary for you, including as many or as few sights as you’d like.
Prefer to take things slow and easy? Or want to jam-pack everything? Just speak with them beforehand and they’ll plan it out.
For a start, the tour has a rough itinerary of these key highlights – Ventry Beach, Fahan Beehive Huts, Slea Head Drive, Coumeenoole Beach, Dun ChaoIn Pier, Clogher Strand, Gallarus Oratory, Kilmalkedar Church and Rlasc, an early monastic settlement.
Your guide Gillian, one of the most knowledgeable private tour guides in Ireland, promises an entertaining and engaging experience despite the jam-packed schedule.
She’ll leave you with many laughs, and newfound knowledge and appreciation of Irish history and culture.
The 4-Hour Slea Head Drive Tour – Personal Chauffeur Guided Tour includes:
- Private transport
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking local guide
- Pickup and drop-off
What past guests loved about the tour:
“Gillian gave us an amazing tour. She was knowledgeable about Dingle and the areas around Dingle. She told us about the history and we had plenty of stops for beautiful pictures.
It was obvious that Gillian had studied different areas of history in Ireland and that she continued her education. She also had some personal anecdotes that added to the charm of the tour.
We were so glad to have her driving around some of those narrow, windy roads. We even rode behind a herd of cattle being hustled by a dog for a bit.”
– A Tripadvisor Reviewer (Read more reviews)
6. Dublin: Private Jameson and Guinness Half-Day Tour by Bus
⭐️Rating: 5 out of 5 stars, with 8 positive reviews
⌛️Tour Length: 4.5 hours
Why choose this tour?
Ireland, specifically Dublin, is home to the best liquid black gold in the world, Guinness. The Guinness Storehouse is the world’s largest brewer of stout and sees 4 million tourists a year.
This day private tour will start just right after breakfast, and for good reason too, with all that alcohol sampling coming up!
While you’re on the way to the Guinness Storehouse, there will be a knowledgeable host onboard who will tell you about Dublin.
This host, who is also well-versed in whiskeys and beer, will also be the one to guide you through the Guinness Storehouse. How’s that for a consistent and seamless private tour experience?
You’ll also get to sample a pint of the world-famous liquid black gold, Guinness Stout, at the brewery’s very own Gravity Bar.
The tour doesn’t end there – you’ll get to visit the Jameson Distillery and undergo the Bow Street Experience where you’ll learn about the popular Jameson whiskey.
You’ll also taste for yourself a flight of Jameson whiskeys and have a cocktail too.
We love that beyond all the whiskey and beer knowledge you’ll glean, you’ll also get an in-depth look into Dublin’s main highlights.
John, your guide, will also leave you with some of his eating and drinking gems before you’re dropped off!
The Dublin Private Jameson and Guinness Half-Day Tour By Bus includes:
- English-speaking guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Bottled water
- Hosting by a whiskey and beer specialist
- Admission and a private tour of the Guinness Storehouse
- Guided tour of the Gravity Bar, complete with a pint of Guinness
- Guided tour at the Jameson distillery, with a cocktail and sampling of three Jameson whiskeys
What past guests loved about the tour:
“This was a really cool experience. John was an excellent guide. Communication was great. It was nice to get an insider’s perspective on the drive over to the tours. John was able to provide a nice dialogue and history of Dublin and Whiskey in general. Would definitely recommend this tour!”
– A GetYourGuide Traveller (Read more reviews)
7. Dublin: Half-Day Private Walking Tour
⭐️Rating: 5 out of 5 stars, with 14 positive reviews
⌛️Tour Length: 3 hours
Why choose this tour?
If you’re the type of traveler who loves having a local bring you around the city to give you an insider’s peek into their world, then this tour is exactly what you need on this trip.
While the general tour is crafted by famous Irish historian Pat Liddy, the team of professional tour guides will also tailor the walking tour according to your preferences, interest, walking speed, and intended distance.
The knowledgeable guide will pick you up at your centrally-located Dublin accommodation and walk you through the Irish capital’s history and intricacies.
Expect to be wowed, surprised and even tickled silly with some Irish fun facts you’ll learn along the way.
If you wish, the tour guides can also take you to major Dublin tourist attractions like the Trinity College Library, Guinness Storehouse, and the Jameson Distillery, at discounted rates.
The best part is you get to start this tour at any time you want – an excellent option if you might be landing in Dublin at an odd hour and can’t check into your hotel yet, or if you’ve got a couple of hours to kill in between.
Tap on your guide’s wealth of knowledge and experience during the tour, and they’ll also leave you with a complimentary map of the city, helping you make the most of your time there.
The Dublin: Half-Day Private Walking Tour includes:
- English-speaking guide
- Walking tour of Dublin for up to 3 hours
- Discounted entry to Dublin’s top tourist attractions
- Complimentary Dublin map
What past guests loved about the tour:
“Julian was a great guide, not only giving us detailed and interesting history of the sights, but also helping us with ideas for lunch, and where to find Irish music. He was responsive to our requests and a delightful companion for the morning!”
– A GetYourGuide Traveler (Read more reviews)
8. Dublin walking tasting tour with Secret Food Tours (Private Tour)
⭐️Rating: 5 out of 5 stars with 30 positive reviews
⌛️Tour Length: 3 hours
Why choose this tour?
First things first – we don’t see why you shouldn’t choose this tour when it includes freshly-baked soda bread, among a whole list of amazing Irish foods!
But no really, this walking tasting tour will give you the best of both worlds.
It’ll take you on a stroll through Dublin and stop at key pubs, markets, and shopping highlights along the way.
Your guide from Secret Food Tours will pepper your walk with little nuggets of information about where Dubliners eat, drink and make merry, and also share some tidbits of Irish food culture.
Don’t worry there’s some serious eating on this tour too – Irish potato cake, smoked salmon, soda bread, Irish stew, and ice cream just to name a few. You’ll even get a secret dish which you’ll have to attend to know what it is!
If the idea of freshly-baked soda bread in the heart of Dublin doesn’t pique your interest, we don’t know what will!
The Dublin walking tasting tour with Secret Food Tours (Private Tour) includes:
- Private tour guide
- Private tour
- Traditional Irish potato cake
- Smoked salmon
- Irish stew
- Artisinal ice cream
- Freshly-baked soda bread
- A delicious secret dish (If this doesn’t get you excited, I’m not sure what will!)
What past guests loved about the tour:
“Ciaran was a fantastic guide. He showed us many attractions in Dublin and had lots of information and stories around them.
He took us to restaurants with local specialités, and also showed us where not to go. A fun and very interesting tour, well worth the money. Ciaran is a real character with a lot of humor!”
– A Tripadvisor Reviewer (Read more reviews)
9. Jewish History of Dublin: 3-Hour Walking Tour
⭐️Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars, with 39 positive reviews
⌛️Tour Length: 2.5 hours
Why choose this tour?
Want to go for a private tour of Dublin beyond the usual city highlights? Then this Jewish History of Dublin private walking tour won’t disappoint you.
Though only a few thousand Jewish remain in Ireland, this community is now largely concentrated in Dublin.
This tour will take you through “Little Jerusalem”, the area which once housed a vibrant and thriving Jewish community, and also takes you past the Irish-Jewish Museum (but does not include entry).
You’ll also visit key Jewish highlights like the oldest synagogue in Ireland and the only kosher bakery in the country – where you’ll also get a chance to have some coffee and some Challah bread.
Your guide will tell you about the history of the Jewish community, share little facts about these places, and also update you on what has become of this historic community and space.
The Jewish History of Dublin: 3-Hour Walking Tour includes:
- English-speaking guide
- Guided walk around Dublin
- Guided walk around Dublin’s “Little Jerusalem”
- Visit Dublin’s only Kosher bakery
What past guests loved about the tour:
“We booked the tour to get a feel for Jewish Dublin. I have a Masters in Jewish studies and am the Director of Jewish Learning at a synagogue in the US but really had very little knowledge of the Jewish community of Dublin.
Our three hour tour turned into a five hour in-depth experience with our insightful and brilliant guide Fergus.
We strolled through the Jewish sites of Dublin hearing tales of the Jewish experience and for me filling in a gap in my knowledge of Jewish history.
The tour culminated in the delightful Jewish Museum of Dublin where Alex (Director of Dublin’s Tours) gave us insights into the museum’s collection and then a volunteer docent of the museum took over. The experience is one of a kind. I highly recommend.”
– A GetYourGuide Traveler (Read more reviews)
10. Dublin: 3-Hour Irish Revolution Walking Tour
⭐️Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars, with 12 positive reviews
⌛️Tour Length: 3 hours
Why choose this tour?
All history buffs should not miss this three-hour walking tour that deep-dives into the Irish Revolution.
The tour provides an overview of how the Irish capital city of Dublin was pivotal more than a century ago in the creation of the independent Irish state.
To help you better understand the history and to relate it to the sights you’ll see along the way, your experienced guides will also provide you with some photos and maps to supplement their stories.
You’ll go past places like Trinity College Dublin, Liberty Hall, Abbey Theatre, Ha’Penny Bridge, Eagle Tavern, Dublin City Hall, Dublin Castle, and finally Four Courts by the River Liffey.
Your guides, who have a postgraduate in Irish history, will pepper the tour with stories, and historical facts and leave you with an immersive experience like no other.
The Dublin: 3-Hour Irish Revolution Walking Tour includes:
- English-speaking tour guide with Irish history background
- Complimentary packet of photos and maps of the revolutionary period
What past guests loved about the tour:
“We could not have enjoyed our tour with Alexander more. He was so knowledgeable about a huge range of subjects and kept us interested and engaged all the time.
The tour was incredibly well put together and we all learned so much. I think I can honestly say it was my most enjoyable few hours walking around Dublin, ever.
Alexander gave us more than 100% of his time and attention, having tailored everything to our needs. I could not recommend the tour highly enough and will certainly be booking another in the future.”
– A GetYourGuide Traveler (Read more reviews)
11. Dublin: 3-Hour Irish Literature Walking Tour
⭐️Rating: 4.9 stars out of 5 stars, with 18 positive reviews
⌛️Tour Length: 3 hours
Why choose this tour?
You should go for this tour if you’re a literature fanatic and are visiting Dublin for its rich literary history.
Dublin is home to three Nobel Prize in Literature winners, so it is really no surprise that you’ll find the Irish capital city oozing with little tidbits and the history of these great writers.
This tour is led by Alexander, an entertaining and engaging English literature graduate from Trinity College Dublin.
He promises an immersive and informative experience around Dublin’s literary highlights and heroes.
He has such rave reviews that we’re quite sure he is easily one of the best private tour guides in Ireland when it comes to literature tours.
You’ll walk past Oscar Wilde’s former home, hear readings of famous writers along the way, hear a ballad sung in the Gaelic tongue, see an exhibition featuring W.B. Yeats, and even visit a bar where great writers used to hang at.
The tour also includes entry to many Dublin must-visit spots including the National Gallery of Ireland and Trinity College Dublin.
The Dublin: 3-Hour Irish Literature Walking Tour includes:
- English-speaking guide with an English literature background from Trinity College Dublin
- Entrance to the National Gallery of Ireland
- Entrance to W.B. Yeats exhibit
- Entrance to James Joyce Center
- Entrance to Seamus Heaney exhibit
- Complimentary information booklet on Irish literature and documentaries on great Irish writers
What past guests loved about the tour:
“I chose to do the Irish Literature Walking Tour and I’m still pondering it weeks afterwards. Alex was an erudite and warm tour guide. We talked, walked, did readings, walked more, sat, chatted, walked and had a pint.
I will recommend this to anyone who is passionate about Irish literature or who wants to make a start on the journey.
It’s simply one of THE BEST tours I’ve ever taken and has inspired me greatly. Thank you, Alex, for your afternoon, I was privileged to share it with you.”
– A GetYourGuide Traveler (Read more reviews)
What To Pack For Ireland
Ireland’s weather can be quite nice, but it can also get very cold and rainy and you want to be prepared for the weather to change at any time.
Here are some items when deciding what to pack for Ireland:
- Lightweight layers like a regular shirt and some long-sleeved shirts
- Or if you prefer, some base layer thermals
- A fleece jacket or a puffer jacket
- Fleece-lined leggings or fleece-lined jeans
- A trusty scarf
- Touchscreen gloves
- A stylish coat
- Comfortable walking shoes
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FAQs On Private Tour Guides In Ireland
How Much Is A Guided Tour In Ireland?
If you’re wondering how much is a guided tour in Ireland, it can be anywhere from as little as less than $5 for a Dublin Music Walking Tour to as much as $12,000 for a self-drive coast-to-coast tour of Ireland.
How Do I Get A Personal Tour Guide?
There are many ways to get a personal tour guide to tour Ireland:
Can I Hire Someone To Drive You Around Ireland?
You can absolutely hire someone to drive you around Ireland. Getting a private driver in Ireland is easy. You can do so through websites like Viator and GetYourGuide.
Top Places To Visit In Ireland
These are some of the top places to visit in Ireland:
- Killarney National Park
- Blarney Castle And Gardens
- Rock Of Cashel
- Trinity College Dublin
- Powerscourt House & Gardens
- Kilkenny Castle
- Kilmainham Goal
- Jameson Distillery Bow St.
How Many Days In Ireland Is Enough?
Ten days in Ireland is enough to tour Ireland, including visiting the capital city of Dublin, and some highlights like Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, Rock of Cashel and even a Northern Ireland tour.
Depending on where you’re basing yourself in Ireland, it may be worth spending more than a day in Northern Ireland to fully take in the beauty of the region.
If you only had a day in Ireland however, then you most certainly must pay the charming capital city of Dublin a visit.
Is It Worth Visiting Ireland?
Yes, it is worth visiting Ireland for its absolute beauty, history and scenic views. From Dublin to Belfast and Galway, the country has so much to offer and you’ll never be bored!
What Is A Private Tour Guide?
A private tour guide means someone who will take you on a personalized tour tailored to your preferences and requirements.
An Ireland private tour usually includes a private driver in Ireland who could also double up as a tour guide, who will take you on day tours, or even multi-day tours depending on your preferences.
How To Become A Tour Guide In Ireland?
To become a tour guide in Ireland, you’ll need to undergo the National Tour Guiding Programme, which is a QQI Level 6 qualification.
You should be above 18 years old and have previous experience in the tourism sector before you take this program.
Once you’ve obtained the above certification, you’ll be well on your way to lead tours in Ireland.
How To Become A Private Tour Guide
In order to become a private tour guide, you’ll need to take these steps:
- Decide if you really want to be a private tour guide
- Define the type of guide you want to be
- Dedicate time to get the right licenses and certifications
- Just do it – go out get and get a job with a guiding company or come out on your own and look for clients!
How To Find A Private Tour Guide?
One sure way to find a private tour guide to go online to sites like Viator and GetYourGuide to seek out a specialized tour guide.
How Much To Tip Private Tour Guide In Ireland?
The standard to tip a private tour guide in Ireland is 10 percent, even though tipping is not mandatory in Ireland.
If you enjoyed your Ireland tours, why not show your appreciation by tipping? In particular, if yours was an Ireland private tour, you could tip more if you really enjoyed the personalized attention and itinerary.
Do Tour Guides Need Insurance?
Yes, as a tour guide you’ll need insurance to insure yourself against any financial losses that might occur during your guiding experience.
This could stem from your clients getting into an accident on your tour, or if some property was damaged while you were leading your clients on a tour.
What’s The Best Way To Find A Private Tour Guides in Ireland?
The best way to find a private tour guide is to rely on reviews on trustworthy sites like Viator and GetYourGuide which carry verified reviews from past travelers who will tell you if the private tour guide was good, reliable and value for money.
If you’ve been on a wild goose chase trying to seek out the best private tour guides in Ireland, we hope this article has provided you with a solution or two.
While private tours and guides can be extremely subjective, we believe that some of these private tour guides provide the best day private tours and if not, they’ll be more than happy to customize them according to your needs.
We love Ireland so much that both of us have chosen to make this place our home, and we hope that you’ll also have an amazing time exploring our country and have amazing experiences.
Let us know if you found our recommendations helpful and which parts of Ireland were your favorite to visit!
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