Classic Ireland Guided Tours
Classic Ireland Guided Tours
Classic Ireland Guided Tours
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About
Originally established in 2011, Classic Ireland Guided Tours has joined forces with industry leader Killarney Guided Tours in order to continue providing private tours dedicated to sharing the unique history, geography and lore of Ireland with guests from all over the world. Still based from Killarney, Co. Kerry in the South West of Ireland, Classic Ireland Guided tours remains focused on providing private tours throughout Ireland for visitors looking for bespoke experiences. With tours tailored to each and every guests’ preferences and needs, and a luxury fleet of Mercedes transportation, our clients have an opportunity to gain an appreciation of the deep history, culture, people and unique beauty of Ireland, without sacrificing comfort, safety and fun. With our passion for Irish history, from the ice age to the present day, Classic Ireland Guided Tours’ aim remains intact – to give each visitor an experience of the deep history of this beautiful jewel of the Atlantic.
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5.0
104 reviews
Excellent
104
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JOHN H
SEATTLE2 contributions
Jan 2020
I recently stayed at Adare Manor and engaged Barry for two day trips to the Dingle Peninsula and the Cliffs of Moher. Barry is very knowledgeable about Irish history, politics and geography. He was very interesting to talk to and I really enjoyed our time together! Definitely the highlight of my trip to Ireland!
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi John,
Many thanks for taking the time to post a review on TripAdvisor. It is very much appreciated.
It was a pleasure to spend two days touring with you, and our conversations on history, geo politics and geography made both days very enjoyable. You also educated me on some very interesting aspects of golf.
I really enjoyed the tours with you and hopefully our paths will cross again sometime.
Thanks for choosing Classic Ireland Guided Tours.
Best wishes,
Barry
Written 11 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
afmomx3
afmomx322 contributions
Oct 2019
Thank you Barry!! Barry provided us an excellent customized tour, taking the four of us throughout all of Ireland. Highly responsive to our emails before we arrived, he gave us great advice about where to stay and what to see. During our week-long tour, we visited castles, state-homes, abbeys, the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, and Slea Head Drive. Barry was the quintessential Irish tour guide, providing both historical and contemporary context to all the sites we visited. Barry is definitely a 5-star plus, plus, plus tour guide. Outstanding, very memorable tour of the Emerald Island. Most highly recommend Barry!
Written 13 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greetings to recent touring friends,
Thank you very much for taking the time to post a review on TripAdvisor. It is very much appreciated. Delighted to hear you enjoyed your trip, and you certainly packed in a lot of locations. I specifically remember and enjoyed our deep discussion on matters of law, international politics and issues nearer to home. I learned a lot from you, and I thank you for sharing your extensive life experiences with me. It was fascinating. Our tour covered a lot of ground but as we discussed there is a lot more to see in Ireland.
Overall it was a great pleasure for me to get the opportunity to show you around my country and spend time in your company. It would be really great you come back this way again soon. Come back!!!!
Best wishes to all of you,
Barry
Written 14 October 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mespeare
Stow, OH12 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
The simple is, Barry is the best tour guide anywhere. The details follow. We had a family group of 10 with ages 8 to 80. We engaged Barry for 4 day trips while renting a home in Killarney. My wife and I had been to the area before and knew it would be perfect for a gathering for our 50th anniversary. We did the usual Ring of Kerry and Dingle. Barry made great suggestions to avoid the usual tourist traps and found the lesser known areas that so much more than the spots with 10 buses lined up in the parking lot. One was a sheep farm where we watched border collies rounding up the herd and then saw sheep shearing. Both delighted the young ones and educated the old in our group. Barry also helped with delightful suggestions for sights to fill out our days of traveling to and from the Shannon airport.
Barry always made us feel safe with his driving especially through the curves and narrow roads of Dingle and Kerry peninsulas.
We had several members with mobility issues. Barry was extra careful with where he dropped us off and even sat with some on the bus if they needed some extra rest. He had a great sense of humor, an encyclopedic knowledge of Irish history and endless patience. He quickly became a valued member of our family.
My wife and I have done many tours across Europe, Britain, Ireland and the States. Barry is just the best
Barry always made us feel safe with his driving especially through the curves and narrow roads of Dingle and Kerry peninsulas.
We had several members with mobility issues. Barry was extra careful with where he dropped us off and even sat with some on the bus if they needed some extra rest. He had a great sense of humor, an encyclopedic knowledge of Irish history and endless patience. He quickly became a valued member of our family.
My wife and I have done many tours across Europe, Britain, Ireland and the States. Barry is just the best
Written 16 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony D
Islip, NY288 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
We used Barry last year for our first trip to Ireland and loved his expertise, humor and professionalism so much we hired him for a six day tour extending from Kilkenny to Ennis! I didn't think We could have a more enchanting trip than last year's, but Barry made it happen. The man knows Ireland and every little nook and cranny to explore. His extensive knowledge of Ireland's history, politics, and culture brought the sites and scenery to life. Barry considers every comfort of his guests and conducts his tours in an impeccably clean Mercedes sedan - a super comfortable luxury ride! And unlike experiences we have had with other tour guides, Barry is prompt and doesn't watch the clock. If your tour goes over a little on time, it is your day and he will not rush you at any time. Some highlights of our trip organized by Barry:
1. A beautiful boat tour on the magnificent Killarney lakes. Talk about amazing scenery! It was like gliding through a picture postcard with ancient stone bridges, crystal lake waters and impressive mountain ranges surrounding it all - ending at a little cottage that serves refreshment. Sipping Irish coffee in that magical place seemed a dream come true ( and only 20 euro per person for the hour long ride!)
2. Jerpoint Abbey - outside of Kilkenny, this ancient ruin covered with moss and ivy in places and with sweeping birds flying in the open spaces seems like it was ripped out of a romance novel. We loved wandering around and touching the ancient stones, exploring the tombs and carvings...a truly amazing place.
3. Gougane Barra - We loved this place so much - a perfect little Irish church in the most romantic spot imaginable. This tiny church with its orange door is set on a peninsula in a Gaelic speaking part of Ireland. The church is surrounded by serene lake waters and glorious mountains. A remote church that was a safe haven for Catholic worship and a place of meditation for a Saint....plus a holy well!
4. The Cliffs of Kilkee - lesser known than the other famous cliffs, but equally impressive (without the crowds).
Barry planned it all for us...even arranging a private falconing experience through a deep Irish wood! Barry also have wonderful recommendations for food. We wanted authentic Irish pub experiences and he stopped in little out of the way towns with cozy pubs and the best Irish stews, chowders and treats. We enjoyed our time so much we are already plotting our next trip and can't wait to explore the wonders of Ireland again. Thanks Barry!
1. A beautiful boat tour on the magnificent Killarney lakes. Talk about amazing scenery! It was like gliding through a picture postcard with ancient stone bridges, crystal lake waters and impressive mountain ranges surrounding it all - ending at a little cottage that serves refreshment. Sipping Irish coffee in that magical place seemed a dream come true ( and only 20 euro per person for the hour long ride!)
2. Jerpoint Abbey - outside of Kilkenny, this ancient ruin covered with moss and ivy in places and with sweeping birds flying in the open spaces seems like it was ripped out of a romance novel. We loved wandering around and touching the ancient stones, exploring the tombs and carvings...a truly amazing place.
3. Gougane Barra - We loved this place so much - a perfect little Irish church in the most romantic spot imaginable. This tiny church with its orange door is set on a peninsula in a Gaelic speaking part of Ireland. The church is surrounded by serene lake waters and glorious mountains. A remote church that was a safe haven for Catholic worship and a place of meditation for a Saint....plus a holy well!
4. The Cliffs of Kilkee - lesser known than the other famous cliffs, but equally impressive (without the crowds).
Barry planned it all for us...even arranging a private falconing experience through a deep Irish wood! Barry also have wonderful recommendations for food. We wanted authentic Irish pub experiences and he stopped in little out of the way towns with cozy pubs and the best Irish stews, chowders and treats. We enjoyed our time so much we are already plotting our next trip and can't wait to explore the wonders of Ireland again. Thanks Barry!
Written 29 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jen and Tony,
Many many thanks for taking the time to post your review on TripAdvisor. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into this.
I had six glorious days in your company, even the weather went with us. I thoroughly enjoyed our adventure, discussions, coffee stops and lively debates. We did our best to devise the perfect political system!!.
This was your second time touring with me, all I can say is I’m looking forward to the next time...it cannot come soon enough.
Thank you for choosing to tour with Classic Ireland Guided Tours. It was my pleasure to be your guide and I looking forward to exploring other parts of Ireland with you in the future.
Regards,
Barry
Written 30 April 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JJLMc
Lomita, CA254 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
You would do well to book with Barry. His car is very comfortable and clean, he is punctual and looks after you well. And sure other drivers can check those boxes, but Barry himself makes all the difference. He is very knowledgeable and enjoys educating his clients. Our tour was of the Ring of Kerry and Barry provided a fantastic tour, he was kind enough with the good weather to give us a view of the Skelligs. Barry knew the landmarks, the history, the stories that made the tour special.He also found us a great spot for Lunch with wonderful chowder. Beyond that Barry is a great conversationalist and very knowledgeable. We talked of history, politics, modern Ireland, policing and so many more topics. It felt like a tour with a friend of long standing before the day was done. This was planned as a special treat for my wife, but I was privileged to have Barry as our guide and wholeheartedly recommend him.
Written 3 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy and Joe
Thank you very much for taking the time to post a review of your tour.
I’m delighted to hear you enjoyed the day. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with both of you and we certainly deeply discussed current events and Irish history. I regret we did not have mote time!
Thank you for choosing Classic Ireland Guided Tours...please come back!
Best wishes,
Barry
Written 5 March 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
betsyrae2018
Charleston, SC2 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
Barry indeed was the BEST tour guide imaginable. The personalized attention to every detail and every need was exceptional! We can't say enough about the "one on one" attention versus the large or even "medium" tours. He was very knowledgeable & articulated the history and background of every area we visited over the 7-8 days. We particularly enjoyed what he termed the "Mystery Tours" as he would announce the afternoon beforehand that we were going on a Mystery Tour the next day. The four of us in our group would then discuss what we might guess it to be! We saw so many things that we would never have seen had we depended on tour books or had we been on a larger tour bus. He was professional in every sense of the word yet we had so much fun and laughter on this trip. In addition to the above, he was such a gracious host....making sure we stopped if we were hungry or if we wanted to take a picture! He walked us into our hotel/B&B every night to make sure there were no issues with reservations. The Van was so comfortable with big windows for viewing & it was spotless when we entered it every morning!! Without question, when we decide to visit Northern Ireland we will make sure it is a time when Barry is available to guide us!
Thank you Barry for the most wonderful trip ever!! Betsy W & Melissa H
Thank you Barry for the most wonderful trip ever!! Betsy W & Melissa H
Written 22 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greeting Betsy and Melissa
Thank you very much for taking the time to post a review on TripAdvisor.
I’m delighted you enjoyed the tour and I can wel recall what made us laugh as we made our way up the west coast of Ireland.. we also had great discussions on contemporary matters.
In the job I do, so many people make me look forward to starting out each day. I find this every year, and your group falls into that category.
Thank you for the fun...please return, there are festivals we must visit!.
Best wishes,
Barry
Written 23 July 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
boop33399
Denver, CO12 contributions
Sept 2015 • Friends
Our intrepid threesome of fairly seasoned travelers (all seniors, I should add) hired Barry O’Rourke to guide and DRIVE us for 9 days of a 3 week stay in Ireland. Since we had never used a driver/guide before (stubborn, independent travelers, that we are) we searched for him because we felt we needed a guide to explore and HIKE the beautiful southwestern coastal areas. Barry far exceeded our expectations; in fact his expertise in all things Irish made this travel experience one of the most all-encompassing, thoughtful and richly rewarding adventures we have undertaken. As stated in previous reviews, he was extremely knowledgeable providing an in-depth picture of Irish history, responsive to individual interests, well organized, always jovial, and unfailingly punctual. His professionalism was beyond reproach and even extended to responding to an after hours accident encountered by a member of our group. When Barry left us on our own (in Galway) to pursue our last 8+ days we knew immediately that hiring Barry was money well spent. We’d strongly recommend him as vital to a great tour of Ireland.
Written 18 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SKWellington
Wellington, Florida, United States18 contributions
Aug 2019
My wife and I spent two full incredible days touring Ireland with Barry. We had never been to Ireland before, but felt like we were Irish by the end of day 2. He took us to wonderful places, but more importantly, along the way he shared an unbelievable amount of information that made us so knowledgeable about the country and it's people. Barry was so personable, and such a joy to be with that we felt like we were part of his family! Each day went by so quickly because of the engaging conversations that were had each day. I couldn't recommend a more professional highly qualified guide. My wife and I travel quite often, and Barry helped make this one of our best trips ever! Kudos to you Barry our friend!
Steve and Karen Kaye - Wellington, Florida
Steve and Karen Kaye - Wellington, Florida
Written 4 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve and Karen,
Thank you very much for taking the time to post a review on TripAdvisor. It is very much appreciated.
I spent two wonderful days with both of you, and yes I too felt I gained to friends. I really enjoyed our chats about history and in particular contemporary politics. We might not have solved all the problems of the world, but we certainly tried!!!.
Im delighted you enjoyed your tour here, but both of you contributed so much to two very enjoyable days for me. Now that you feel Irish, you must come back again!!!.
Best wishes to both of you and hopefully our paths will cross again in the not too distant future.
Regards,
Barry
Written 5 September 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alice M
4 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
Barry O'Rourke was our fantastic guide for the three days we spent on the West Coast of Ireland. He took us on 3 day trips, dropping us off and picking us up from the places we chose to overnight. His easy going manner and knowledge of both the places we saw, as well as general information about Ireland, made him the perfect guide for us. We highly recommend Barry as a guide, whether for day trips or longer ones.
Written 28 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greetings to my friends from Long Island,
Thank you very much for taking the time to post a review on TripAdvisor. It is very much appreciated.
I’m delighted you enjoyed your tour in the south west area of Ireland. It was a pleasure for me to spend three days with you. We certainly had great discussions on contemporary political events, in particular Northern Ireland. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed your trip to Belfast and that our discussion helped both of you to understand the complexity of history in that part of a Ireland.
Please come back sometime, there is much more to see and I think both of you will find it very interesting.
Regards,
Barry
Written 29 July 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amy C
Columbus, OH3 contributions
Jul 2019
Our family had a great experience. Barry was our guide and his suggestions were great. He was so friendly and informative. I would highly recommend this tour.
Written 17 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greetings to my friends from Ohio,
Thank you very much for taking the time to post a review on Trip Advisor (and Facebook).
Im delighted to read you enjoyed your two day tours. It was a pleasure to spend time with all of you and to get the opportunity to show you The Killarney National Park in particular. The weather certainly help show South West Ireland at its best.
I certainly can detect you have a special place in your hearts for Ireland. I hope you come back again soon and see more parts of the country which are well worth exploring.
Best wishes to all of you and hopefully we will see you soon again.
Barry
Written 18 July 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi Barry, We are arriving in Dublin on May 23rd for 7 days and would like to see as much as possible. We would be happy to join other travellers or travel as a pair. Can you give me an idea of the cost of 6-7 days touring please?
Written 20 January 2019
Hi Maggie
Thank you for your question. Unfortunately I am already fully booked for your time in Dublin so I cannot offer you a tour. Sorry about that. I only got notified of you question today, thus the delay in replying. However Maggie I hope you have a great time in Dublin. There is a lot to see. Don't forget a night or two in the Temple Bar area. Safe Journey and Best Wishes, Barry.
Written 23 January 2019
TravelerK7
Melbourne, Florida
What is your price for a 2 person private tour of the Ring of Kerry?
Written 23 February 2018
Hi, thank you for your query. Before I proceed further I need to check am I available on the approx. date you are seeking a tour. If you could email me on my advertised email address with your preferred date for a tour I will respond without delay confirming availibility and a price. Many thanks. Barry
Written 24 February 2018
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