Our Celtic Ways Ireland has taken us down a long and winding road over the past 10 years. We have arrived somewhere we would never have imagined when we started out. It takes time for the pieces to fall into place. It does not happen overnight. In this game you have to persevere, take the knocks, read the signs, and, above all, listen to those who have travelled far to share the path with you. You learn to draw on reserves you never knew you had. The panorama that awaits when you endure all that the climb throws at you makes the journey all the more worthwhile.
Tourism as we know it is changing
Whilst there will always be a demand for the whistle stop coach tours around Ireland that move from one iconic tourist attraction to the next, there is a seismic shift happening in terms of what the new wave of visitors are looking for when they come here. What it means to holiday in Ireland is being re-defined before our eyes; less rush leaving more time for immersive experiences where the traveller stays in one location for a few days, exploring the attractions unique to that area before moving on to continue their adventure elsewhere on the Emerald Isle. In this business, it pays to anticipate and be ready. Standing still will leave you behind!
Bespoke Tours
We now have moved into the domain of designing bespoke tours around Ireland for International clients, selecting the accommodation and activities to match the individual tastes of our guests, sorting all bookings in advance of their tour and offering chauffeur transfers from the time they land in Ireland until they leave. With our private guided tours of Ireland, we take all the stress out of planning a holiday so that our visitors can simply soak in all that they experience along the way.
We prefer to slow the pace down and give our visitors a taste of the real Ireland – our food, our music, our sport, our story, our Irish coffees… Each day provides an opportunity to sprinkle hues of culture and landscape onto an absorbing Gaelic canvas in a way that draws the visitor deeper into the soul of Celtic Ireland. We’ve built up a collection of over 400 experiences around the island of Ireland, North and South, and tailor each tour to match the interests unique to each person in the group. Within a week of chatting with them well in advance of their holiday in Ireland, they receive our final tour design. The pieces of the jig-saw land as they’re meant to. Most of the work is complete before we collect them at the airport. Our goal; to meet if not exceed the expectations of each visitor. Our motto: every person matters. It’s that simple!
Our Formula
We now have a formula that works that has been years in the moulding. Our Celtic Ways Ireland tour offerings are designed to reveal the Ireland that most visitors never discover – an Ireland of hidden lanes, quiet coastal villages, private gardens, family-owned pubs, and experiences that unfold far from the crowds. Along the way, you’ll meet locals who open their doors and share their stories, enjoy moments of surprise that can’t be scripted, and discover beauty in places the guidebooks rarely mention.
This journey blends soft adventure with comfort: a private boat ride on a secluded inlet, a chef-led tasting in a farmhouse kitchen, a wander through ancient ruins without another tour bus in sight. Each day invites you to step just off the expected path – with the reassurance of hand-picked accommodations and thoughtful touches that make exploration both effortless and deeply rewarding. We craft a premium product we know we can stand over.
We said goodbye on Saturday last to 4 guests from St Louis, USA, who spent the last 2 weeks touring Ireland with us. In that time, they experienced some of the iconic tour attractions like The Guinness Storehouse, Powerscourt Gardens & Waterfall, Kylemore Abbey, The Cliffs of Moher, The Gap of Dunloe… they even kissed the Blarney Stone. If they’ve travelled this far to see Ireland, it’s important to get the iconic tourist attractions in, and, crucially, leave time for the hidden gems few visitors get to see.
The sun shone as they sailed out to Skellig Michael and experience this age-old monastic site with just a few other pilgrims, they enjoyed the culinary delights of a Cork Food Tour that opened up sumptuous food offerings and the stories of the places they passed in equal measure, they got to see iconic panoramas few tourist coaches ever reach along the Sky Road in Connemara, into the Black Valley outside Killarney, around Valentia Island on the Ring of Kerry and along the timeless Copper Coast in Waterford. They tasted the culinary delights in an Irish home courtesy to the supreme talent and hospitality of Vivien at Spoonita in Gorey, experienced an amazing evening of fine cuisine and music in the stunning Wells House & Gardens, sampled Bailey’s Irish Cream Liquors with Joe in the Bailey’s Farm in Tinahely, enjoyed their favourite Irish Coffee in O’ Connor’s in Doolin, toured Jameson Distillery in Midleton and Smithwick’s Brewery in Kilkenny… the best of Irish! They even experienced the thrill of kayaking down the River Blackwater from Ballyduff into Lismore before their private tour of Lismore Castle. We try to give our guests everything… and a little bit more.
The feedback we receive from our guests reassures us that we are on the right path. If they’re happy, we’re happy. Lou from St Louis sent us his review over the past few days. We loved our time with him, Ping, Karen and David…
Testimonial
“We just returned from an incredible two-week journey through Ireland, and we can’t say enough about our guides, Phil and Elaine. From the very first day, they made us feel not like tourists, but like welcome guests in their country.
They struck the perfect balance between showing us iconic highlights and weaving in authentic experiences that gave us a true taste of local culture. Each day brought something new and memorable. Lively evenings of traditional music, breathtaking stretches of countryside, and fascinating stories that brought Ireland’s history to life.
What impressed us most was Phil and Elaine’s ability to adapt the trip to our every request. If we wanted more music, they found it. If we asked for a scenic detour, they made it happen. We laughed that they must have stayed up half the night, magically reshaping our trip by morning to fit whatever we asked for (We think there had to be a touch of Irish magic involved)!
The result was a seamless blend of culture, music, scenery, and personal touches that made the trip uniquely ours. Their warmth, flexibility, and deep knowledge turned a great trip into an unforgettable one. We couldn’t have asked for better guides. If you’re lucky enough to travel with Phil and Elaine, you’ll discover that Ireland is only half the reason your journey will be unforgettable.”
(Lou Hawn – St Louis, USA)
In many ways, our guests have been our guides over the past few years. Visitors like Lou want something very unique and special from their time in Ireland and we do our best to deliver that for them. You never quite know what awaits you when you collect each new small group at the airport. These are people you’re going to spend the next 2 weeks of your life with and it helps a lot if you can have good chats and a good laugh along the way. We knew within minutes we’d struck gold… again. No matter how much they enjoyed their downtime and the ‘craic’, they were up fresh and rarin’ to go from the off the next morning. You forge bonds with these people that endure long after they’ve returned home.
Connections
Celtic Ways Ireland is built on connections that are genuine and authentic and the team we have around us reflect our values. For us, it is not about making the quick buck and sailing on to the next conquest. It’s more about planting deep roots, building up trust and goodwill with respected partners and making space for the universe to kick in and work its magic. Patience is key here. If you force the pace when you cast your bait, you will lose the catch. If you do what you do to the very best of your ability and honour your word, momentum will grow through the contacts you’ve made. The key breaks you need do not arrive instantaneously. Together, we have put the hard yards in especially in those years when there was little to show for it.
Referrals are key to the growth in our business… but you cannot put a price on the value of those who come back again. Word spreads when guests return home happy. No matter how much you invest on Google Ads, or other advertising initiatives, your greatest marketing tool of all is a satisfied customer. I think my Mam and Dad instilled this in me from a young age when they ran the ‘64’ Lounge & Restaurant in Gorey. They valued every person that walked in the door, no matter how little or how much they had. They mattered! Some values are timeless and withstand the vagaries of a changing world. Next year, we’re planning on a return trip from our pilgrims in Los Angeles… this time to lead them on Celtic trails in Scotland. It’s their third year in a row to join us. One of their members had this to say after her time with us in May of this year…
“You will never experience Ireland like this. Walk extraordinary landscapes both on and off the beaten path. Hear tales from your guides of history and myth revealing Ireland’s powerful culture. And discern this magical country’s impact on you today. Outstanding hospitality with customized itineraries, top-notch accommodations and delicious, local menus. Get ready to be charmed and cared for. And celebrate the beauty and play of this land as uniquely choreographed by the amazing Dr. Phil and Elaine Brennan of Celtic Ways Ireland.”
(Catherine Perry – Los Angeles, USA)
Sometimes in life you’ve just got to go for it. What awaits you will not be handed to you. It’s up to you and you alone to seize the initiative. Few know the sacrifices you’ve made to get this far. Onlookers never get to see from the inside; you do. Your mistakes do not define you. How you overcome them does! So, invest your energies wisely. This moment is the stepping stone to what you are destined for. Seize it lest the opportunities it presents pass you by.
Phil and Elaine at Celtic Ways Ireland are excited to roll out our Private Guided Tours of Ireland in 2026 along with our signature day tours.
For more information, check our website www.celticwaysireland.com or email us directly on info@celticwaysireland.com