Celtic Ways Ireland – searching for the authentic in a changing tourism landscape
Getting to know Celtic Ways Ireland by Norma Quinsey
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of sitting down with Phil and Elaine Brennan, the couple behind this quietly brilliant tour company that recently marked ten years in business, and I have been given an insight into what the story is behind the company and what sets their tours aside from so many.
As I began to get to know Celtic Ways Ireland, our meetings quickly turned into conversations, the kind that reveal what a company is truly about. They don’t just talk about places; they talk about people, moments, music, weather, laughter, chance encounters, and the quiet magic that happens when everything comes together. With social media and the press increasingly warning that AI could dominate tourism in the future, we are only too aware of what could be lost if human-led travel becomes sidelined.
Spending time with Phil and Elaine has opened my eyes to the irreplaceable value of the personal touch when it comes to engaging with their visitors: the kind of connection, intuition and personality they bring simply cannot be replicated by algorithms. Their tours are a reminder that human creativity and empathy remain at the heart of meaningful travel, and that planning for a future holiday means valuing, protecting, and highlighting experiences that only people can deliver & isn’t that what people visiting Ireland want?
Once you experience what Celtic Ways Ireland truly offers, it becomes very clear that no machine could ever replace it. Yes, AI can build itineraries, recommend restaurants and plot routes, but that’s not what travel is really about. Phil and Elaine don’t run checklist holidays. They create experiences that connect people to Ireland, to its land, its history and, most importantly, its people.
Going deeper than sightseeing
Most tour companies try to squeeze as much as possible into a short time. Celtic Ways Ireland does the opposite. Their philosophy is simple: slow down, stay a little longer, and let places reveal themselves.
Take their kayaking experience in Baginbun, on the Wexford coast. AI might label it “adventure” or “scenic.” But when guests paddle through that bay with Phil and Elaine, they hear about Viking landings, old communities with stories echoed through generations, and the wildlife that still thrives there. They feel the rhythm of the sea. They aren’t just looking, they’re part of the place.
That’s the difference. You can Google facts, but you can’t Google atmosphere or connection!
Declan’s Way: stepping away from the noise
As 2026 approaches, many people are craving something different, a reset, a break from screens, notifications and constant business. The Celtic Pilgrim Experience along St Declan’s Way offers exactly that.
This ancient pilgrim route dates back to the 5th century, more than 400 years older than the Camino de Santiago. It runs from the Rock of Cashel through a beautiful corridor of valleys and hills before reaching Ardmore on the Waterford coast. But it isn’t just the route that makes it special. It’s how it’s walked.
Phil and Elaine keep the groups small, the pace gentle, and the experience personal. Distances average around 12km a day, and everyone is supported. Phil’s “compass point” reflections invite people to pause and check in, with the landscape, with the group and with themselves. Connection, comfort and support are key components for all the group. Elaine will always ensure that the food along the way is adapted to suit everyone on the tour. In a world of changing tastes and dietary considerations, it’s vital to offer sumptuous food to suit everyone. With Celtic Ways Ireland, there is no generic formula to suit all. Everything is tailored to give each person exactly what they love.
And then there is the Abbey – Glencairn is simply a world apart…….
Staying in these historic places is something no hotel or app can recreate. Thick stone walls, secluded spots, and silence create a calm that feels almost forgotten in modern life. There’s no scrolling, no pinging notifications, just time to reflect, regroup and consider. Many guests say it’s here they find something they didn’t realise they were missing.
Every guest really does matter
One of the biggest differences between AI-led travel and what Celtic Ways Ireland offers is how personal everything feels. Phil and Elaine work with small groups so they can really get to know people. One guest recently joked that he has considered that this team must stay up all night adjusting the next day’s plans because somehow the walk always reflects the conversations, interests and stories shared the day before.
That’s not a coincidence. That’s listening.
Another irreplaceable part of a Celtic Ways Ireland tour is the network of relationships Phil and Elaine have built across Ireland and the UK. From restaurant owners and musicians to abbey custodians and the hosts of historic homes, these connections open doors that are rarely available to the public. Experiences that would never appear on a booking website from a private dinner in a historic home, a special music evening, or access to a sacred space are just a phone call away. It means guests are welcomed as old friends, not passing tourists, and those moments often become the highlights people remember long after the journey ends.
As I see it, the mastery behind what Phil and Elaine create in their tours is the balance they strike between meticulous planning and leaving space for the magic to happen. Coming to know both of them, they always speak of the unscripted moments that make each tour all the more memorable. It’s their capacity to read the moment, take the detour in their luxury limo, reach out and chat to the local they’ve never met before… each choice they make opens the door to those chance encounters that in hindsight do not really happen by chance at all. Any visitor I’ve met with them, speak of how much their time in Ireland far exceeded their expectations. Some would call it chance. Maybe Phil and Elaine have unlocked the formula. Whatever they have, it works.
And that’s the key difference, the human touch. While AI can predict behaviour, it can’t read a room or feel the tone of a moment. Phil and Elaine notice when someone needs quiet, when energy is rising, when the pace should slow, or when a story sparks deeper curiosity. Those small, instinctive decisions change everything. They turn a tour from a checklist into something immersive, personal, and truly unforgettable.
Guests often share moments online that no algorithm could ever plan, a sunset in an abbey, a tune played just for them, a quiet conversation that meant more than any sightseeing stop.
Why this still matters
Technology will keep improving, that’s inevitable, and in many ways it’s a wonderful thing. It helps us travel more easily and discover more of the world. But with Celtic Ways Ireland, you won’t simply visit Ireland, you’ll truly experience it. Tourism Ireland invites people to Fill Your Heart with Ireland, and with Phil and Elaine guiding the way, that’s exactly what happens.
I’ll leave the last word to a lady from the States, Ruby, who captures the uniqueness of the holiday here with Celtic Ways Ireland. The ultimate barometer for authenticity is the impact of the experience on the individual. Something tells me the road they have started out on has only just begun…
This trip with Celtic Ways Ireland was far more than a tour – it was a soulful experience. Phil, Elaine, and their incredible team created something truly special: a journey rooted in simplicity, connection, and care. Every step invited us to slow down, to listen, and to feel.
It was a trip about the simple life—walking ancient paths, sharing stories, and embracing the quiet beauty of the Irish landscape. It was about connecting with people—the sweet nuns who hosted our residence, the fellow travelers and the warm-hearted locals we met along the way. It was about history—not just learning it, but feeling it, touching it, and letting it speak to the present. And above all, it was about love: spiritual love, human kindness, and the deep care that Phil and Elaine infused into every detail. Thank you, Phil, Elaine and team, for your extraordinary attention, your generosity, and your open hearts. You didn’t just guide us—you welcomed us into something timeless. We’ll carry this experience with us always.