Private Celtic Tours of Ireland
Find Your Celtic Way - Now taking bookings for 2026/27Small-group journeys through Ireland's sacred landscapes, blending ancient Celtic traditions, early monastic heritage, storytelling, mindfulness, and authentic local culture.
Private Tours Tailored to Your Needs
Walk the Land. Listen to Its Stories.
Phil and Elaine Brennan lead small-group tours into the wild, mystical heart of Ireland, where ancient paths, holy wells, and forgotten cairns still hold the energy of the people who walked them centuries before.
From Dublin in the east to Galway in the west we design and build a private tour that works for you. Visits iconic locations like Glendalough, Kilkenny, Waterford, Hook Head Peninsula, Cliffs of Moher, Dingle, and many more.
This isn't sightseeing. It's a chance to slow down, reconnect, and let the land speak.
- Hand-crafted Private Tours
- Sacred Sites
- Cultural Experiences
- Mindful Adventure
- The Best of Cuisine and Accommodation
- Irish folk music and reflection
More Than a Tour — A Way Back to Yourself
Our Signature Guided Tours
Small-group journeys through Ireland's most sacred landscapes, ancient wells, megalithic sites and wild coastlines, for travellers who feel the pull of something deeper than a typical vacation.
12 Days · Early Monastic Ireland
Celtic Echoes Tour
Our signature 12 day adventure through early monastic and pre-Christian Ireland — Glendalough to Skellig Michael.
12 Days · Mythical Ireland
The Living Land Tour
A 12 day small-group odyssey through mythical Ireland — Tara, Uisneach, Skellig Michael & Glendalough, guided by storytellers and the five Celtic elements.
8 Days · Ancient East
Ancient East Adventure
A small-group 8 day journey through Ireland's Ancient East — Glendalough, Clonmacnoise, Hook Lighthouse & Kilkenny. Hosted by Phil & Elaine Brennan.
12 Day Celtic Pilgrim Experience
Celtic Pilgrim Experience through early monastic Ireland
Visit Ireland's iconic early monastic sites all wrapped into a magical 12 day Celtic experience with Phil and Elaine Brennan, including sites like Clonmacnoise, Skellig Michael, Hook Lighthouse and Glendalough.
Let us craft your very own Celtic Way
Bespoke Private Tours
Tailor-Made Celtic Ways - Craft your very own Celtic Way. Our small-group journeys for travellers who feel the pull of something deeper than a typical vacation.
Featured Testimonial
Lou, Florida U.S.A. Sep 2025
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.
We craft a private guided tour of Ireland just for you,
to match your interests and budget
From the moment you step out on our Celtic Ways you are invited to leave your footprints in the land, to enjoy the fun of the adventure and to go deeper into the beauty of the places you pass along the way and the stories they hold.
Our private guided tours of Ireland are unique and exclusive to Celtic Ways Ireland so whether you want to travel as part of a group or independently, contact Phil and Elaine today to find your Celtic Way.
Private Tour Guides Ireland
Phil and Elaine Brennan
Phil and Elaine Brennan are a unique pairing, masters in the art of listening, of knowing and of helping others. They set out on their Celtic Ways adventure in 2017 and have been welcoming groups from all over the world ever since.
Their passion lies in designing and hosting private guided tours that bring visitors face to face with the beauty of the Celtic landscape and the richness it holds.
Background
Phil is a motivational speaker and a musical director with a PhD in Spirituality, while his wife Elaine is an experienced tour manager. Their energy and warmth shines through all they do, from their meticulous planning to their sense of fun and adventure to the value they place on everyone who shares the path with them.
Phil and Elaine offer a refreshing perspective in a world that moves at pace. Time with them is quality time.
Our Vision
"Our vision for Celtic Ways is simple: stay awhile rather than rush the journey and you’ll soon come to discover a beauty and a peace in the Celtic landscape that lingers.
Holidays are all about balance - good food and accommodation, iconic trails, music and adventure.
The magic of our Celtic Ways lies in the journey. Join us and discover your very own Celtic Way."
Letters from a Celtic Soul
Latest Blog Posts
Launch of Waterford Camino Tours at Waterford Treasures
Hi All, We’re busy marketing our packages over next 6 weeks and intend starting our first Caminos from the end of May, 2017. If you have any queries, feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to clarify. Since we launched, there has been serious amount of interest in...
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Private Tours
Which parts of Ireland do you cover?
Celtic Ways Ireland designs bespoke private tours right across the island of Ireland, helping visitors experience the country’s rich history, stunning scenery, and authentic local culture. Popular regions include:
- Ireland’s Ancient East – home to ancient ruins, medieval castles, monastic sites, Viking heritage, and fascinating stories stretching back thousands of years
- Wild Atlantic Way – famous for its rugged coastline, dramatic cliffs, charming villages, islands, and vibrant traditional Irish culture
- Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands – offering tranquil lakes, river cruises, green landscapes, and relaxed off-the-beaten-track experiences
- Dublin and the surrounding counties – blending lively city culture with historic attractions and coastal escapes
- Northern Ireland highlights including Belfast and the spectacular Causeway Coast
Many guests choose to combine several regions into one tailor-made itinerary, allowing them to experience the very best of Ireland in a single unforgettable journey.
Can you customise our Ireland itinerary?
Absolutely. tailor-made travel is what Celtic Ways Ireland does best.
Your itinerary can be customised around:
- Your travel dates
- Your budget
- Your pace of travel
- Specific places you want to visit
- Family history research
- Religious or spiritual interests
- Hiking and walking preferences
- Golf, food, whiskey, or cultural experiences
- Luxury or boutique accommodation preferences
Whether you already have a rough plan or are starting from scratch, Phil and Elaine work closely with you to design the perfect Irish experience.
How far in advance should we book?
For the best accommodation choices and availability, booking 6–12 months in advance is recommended, especially for summer travel, family reunions, genealogy tours, and group travel.
That said, Celtic Ways Ireland can often assist with shorter notice trips depending on availability.
Celtic Ways Ireland look for a 20% deposit to secure your booking and the balance of 80% 3 months in advance of your tour.
Do you arrange accommodation?
Yes. Celtic Ways Ireland can arrange carefully selected accommodation throughout Ireland.
Options may include:
- Boutique hotels
- Historic manor houses
- Castle hotels
- Luxury countryside retreats
- Coastal guesthouses
- Pilgrim-friendly accommodation in an Irish Abbey
- Traditional Irish B&Bs
Every property is chosen for quality, comfort, location, and authentic Irish hospitality and we have built excellent relationships with members of the hospitality industry so we are confident in what we arrange to ensure you have the most memorable visit to Ireland.
Are airport transfers included?
Airport collection and private transfers can be arranged as part of your tailor-made tour.
Whether arriving into Dublin, Shannon, Cork, Belfast, or Knock Airport, Celtic Ways Ireland can organise smooth and stress-free transportation.
Do you offer guided tours?
Yes. Celtic Ways Ireland offers both fully guided and self-guided private tour options.
Many guests choose:
- Private driver-guided tours
- Walking guides for specific locations
- Pilgrimage guides
- Heritage experts
- Local storytellers and historians
Having knowledgeable local guides adds depth, insight, and authenticity to your Irish journey.
Can you help us trace our Irish ancestry?
Yes. Genealogy and ancestry travel are among Celtic Ways Ireland’s most meaningful experiences.
If your family roots are connected to Ireland, Phil and Elaine can help create a personalised heritage journey that may include:
- Visits to ancestral towns and villages
- Graveyards and churches
- Heritage centres
- Local archives
- Family history research support
- Meetings with local historians
For many visitors, this becomes the most emotional and memorable part of their trip.
Do you cater for small groups and families?
Absolutely.
Celtic Ways Ireland specialises in:
- Couples travel
- Family holidays
- Small private groups
- Friends travelling together
- Pilgrimage groups
- Heritage groups
- Choirs
- Multi-generational travel
Smaller groups allow for a more personal, flexible, and immersive Irish experience.
Booking Process
All our signiture tours can be customised based on your needs. We also offer fully bespoke packages based on individual travellers needs.
Booking Enquiry
Reach out to us on info@celticwaysireland.com or via our contact page and we'll arrange a free consultation with you to give us a sense of your interests and your budget.
Consultation
Give us one week and we will be back to you with a tour crafted just for you, with your full itinerary to include transfers, accommodation, guest guides, cultural experiences and the best of Irish when it comes to food.
Private Tour Package
We pride ourselves in our attention to detail. We only recommend what we can stand over. You’ll just need to sort your flights and travel insurance, pack your case and leave the rest to us. It’s that simple.
Now taking bookings for 2026/27
Ireland is calling you back
Every journey starts with a single step