Driver Guided Tours in Ireland with Ireland Chauffeur Travel | Traveling in Ireland Podcast Episode 19

Driver Guided tours in Ireland are a lesser-known alternative to renting a car and driving yourself or joining a large group bus tour. Ireland Chauffeur Travel offers several vehicle options catered to different sized groups, including minivans (3-6 people), mini buses (5-12 people), and even small coaches (for groups of 12 or more).All the vehicles are fit with luxuries such as leather captain chairs and larger view windows to offer the best comfort.

The main advantage of a driver guide, is YOU control where to go and stop without the stress of driving through the country roads. The guides also able to talk about the areas you go to bring each of their client's trip to life specifically for them.

Each guide is Public Service Vehicle (PSV) Licensed, which qualifies them to be a professions driver. To obtain these licenses, they have to go through a background check.In order to be a driver guide for ICT, they also need to be a Failte Ireland Approved Tour Guide. This is where they learn to tell a narrative that is compelling to people of all ages. Ireland Chauffeur Travel also has Experiential training which concentrates on developing the drivers' listening skills. This is what they feel is the most important part of being a guide. This allows drivers to listen to each client and find out what each client is interested in and offer input and suggestions based on that. No cookie-cutter tours here.

Yes, we use guides that are specialized to different areas. Not only will these guides know the areas, they know stories of the areas to offer a more knowledgeable and enriched tour for the clients.

The kind of lodging people get when they book tours through Ireland Chauffeur Travel is all catered to the clients' tastes; hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, castles… They can even do several different types if they want.Shane learned the basics of hospitality from his mother, who now operated a B&B in Cashel, County Tipperary: Ladyswell House in Cashel.

All trips are customized. But they recommend a minimum of 6 nights.

• Dingle Peninsula
• Connemara
• Cliffs of Moher

Even though Shane listed sites from the west, he also highly recommends visiting sites in Ireland's Ancient East.

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Closing remarks:

Visit the Ireland Chauffeur Travel website for more information.
BONUS for Ireland Family Vacations readers! Receive a 5% discount and a family hamper of picnic goodies to enjoy during your tour. Just use code IRFV2018 when you make your inquiry.You can also reach out to Shane Leahy directly at [email protected]. Be sure to check-out their social accounts at Instagram, Facebook and Twitter as well.

Want to know more?

Read about the Perry Family's tour with Ireland Chauffeur Travel and their excellent guide Ita.

Michelle at Well Traveled Kids followed my advice and hired Ireland Chauffeur Travels for a day trip- she describes the experience as ‘perfect'.

Questions about this podcast or Ireland travel in general? Email Jody at [email protected] or leave a comment below.