 Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ's)
Over the years we have conducted many tours of Ireland and are asked often questions pertaining to our tours and . We like to answer these questions in person either on the telephone or while you are in Ireland.
We will try to answer for you some commonly asked questions regarding our tours and service as well as some general questions about Ireland and links to helpful pages and websites that may be of more assistance to you.
Q-How does the booking process work?
A- Our booking process is very seamless. We create as many sample proposals as necessary for you until you are happy with the tour layout, hotels and pricing. Once you decide to book we send reservation requests to all our suppiers and once we have a confirmed itinerary we forward you the invoice for 20% deposit. The deposit can be paid online using our secure payment portal. We then hold all reservations and finalize your arrangements. Six to four weeks out we require final payment to sign off accounts. Your touring driver / guide will greet you at your hotel or airport with your information pack for your tour which includes vouchers, maps, itinerary and related information on Ireland. If you havin gpre nights in Dublin we arrange for your transfers from airports and can arrange your accommodation. The vouchers will be forwarded to you by e-mail and our driver guide will have the touring pack the day you start touring.
Q-Is Our Chauffeur Driver also a Guide?
A- All of our drivers are driver guides and have considerable expertise in Ireland from many different perspectives. These include history, current affairs, restaurants, and the best driving routes, best time of day to visit attractions as well as a host of other topics such as activities, local events and festivals. Your driver guide acts as a liaison with you and the local people and can make your experience much richer and deeper than if you were touring alone or on a bus or coach tour.
Q- What is the best time of the year to visit Ireland?
A- Every season has its charms and advantages as well as disadvantages for visiting Ireland. Spring is a nice time to come as it is not too busy and the weather is generally very mild and lots of flowers coming into bloom. Summer is peak tourist season and the hotels are more expensive but the weather is better and there are more people around which can be fun. Autumn is also popular as the weather can be nice and its less expensive, this is a good time to golf in Ireland as it is very mild and settled. Winter is often cold and wet but this can be a lovely time to come as there is a cozy atmosphere in the pubs and restaurants so its very welcoming. Also you will have all the countryside to yourself. For more information on weather and seasons in Ireland check out Weather Forecast Website - MET EIREANN
Q- What type of clothes do we need to bring to Ireland?
A- We usually recommend smart casual clothing with a mixture of light ands warmer clothes and in particular bring some clothing for rain which you can expect at least once on your tour even in summer time. Light shoes and sneakers are great for walking and if you plan on visiting a Five Star Castle please bring some formal jackets for the dining rooms. This applies primarily to Five Star Estates such as Dromoland and Ashford Castle.
Q- What is included / excluded on our Tour?
A- Depending on your list of inclusions and requested tour we will include all of your transportation requirements in Ireland including transfers to and from your airport of choice. Our accommodation always includes a full Irish breakfast. Lunch and evening meals are not included unless requested. Entrance to attractions is also extra but you can purchase a Heritage Card which gives discounts to most publically owned attractions in Ireland. Driver’s expenses, fuel and parking tolls etc as well as all related touring expenses are covered in your tour.
Q-Can you give us a budget for extras such as meals and attractions while we are in Ireland?
A–This is a rough guide to the cost of items in Ireland
1. Lunch 8 - 15 Euros for a light meal in a pub.
2. Dinner 20 - 40 Euros depending on choice or restaurant.
3. Entrance to Attractions .- usually around 3 - 4 Euros per person but a heritage card allows access to most major attractions for a once off fee of 16 Euros for the card. This card can be purchased on Day One of your tour.For more information on this card please view the following website. HERITAGE IRELAND
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The quickest, cheapest and most convenient way to purchase an OPW Heritage Card is to buy it at the first OPW fee-paying site you visit. OPW Heritage Cards and information leaflets are also available at Dublin Tourism, Suffolk Street, Dublin 2 and at Tourist Offices at Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport, Limerick, Ennis and Adare.)
4. Extras such as gifts, drinks etc are entirely at your own discretion.
5. Driver Gratuity again is completely at your discretion and not obligatory.
Q– How long is a Touring Day on average?
A– A full touring day is usually eight hours. As a guideline we recommend starting at approximately 09.30 each morning with one hour for lunch and finishing at approximately 18.30 in the evening. This can change however depending on whether you wish to do an evening activity or perhaps have a long day one day and a short one the next. We are very flexible with time and like to keep the driver fresh so eight hours is recommended but not obligation. Of course part of this eight hours is taken at the attractions or admiring the scenery and taking photographs, talking to locals and enjoyting the fine weather !!! We would usually not spend more than three hours per day of actual driving.
Q–We are interested in Geneological research in Ireland, do you have any advice?
A–There are a number of sources for geneological research. There are goverment public records offices in both the North (P.R.O.N.I) and the South(National Archives of Ireland). There is also local churches and local council records offices. Also there are individual geneology centres in each region of Ireland that specialize in certain areas such as for example The Genealogy Centre in Corofin Co Clare deals with records local to that area. Finally there are experts and professionals who can be hired to manage the entire project for a set fee. It depends on the level of depth and detail you want from your research. We know people who have spend days looking for a cottage that fell down 100 years ago or a gravestone in an overgrown cemetary .. others prefer to talk with the locals in the pub and see what they know. Certain information is useful to have before arriving is contact telpehone numbers of relatives, addresses and if possible GPS co-ordinates. We usually carry GPS on our genealogy tours as this is very useful.
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