Ports of Call Tours
8–9 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
€550.00
per group
Boru Irish Adventures
Boru Irish Adventures
Boru Irish Adventures
5
Multi-day Tours • Bike Tours • Walking Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours
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09:00 - 17:00
Monday
09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
09:00 - 17:00
Thursday
09:00 - 17:00
Friday
09:00 - 17:00
Full view
About
Boru Irish Adventures provides adventure tours and private tours throughout Ireland. We combine must see destinations with awesome adventure activities. Our small group adventure tours travel to every corner of Ireland.
Tours and Tickets by Boru Irish Adventures
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5.0
26 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
0
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Canadan9
B.C. Canada129 contributions
May 2023
We booked a customized, full day tour with Brian on the day our cruise ship Docked in Dunmore East. It was an ambitious schedule and we got started early. I can't say enough about the easy, down to earth manner of Brian. We Travelled many, many miles that day along main highways, quaint country roads and back alleys all the while enjoying Brian's banter about the history, customs and nuances of the areas we saw. It didn't hurt that the weather totally cooperated! 5 stars for Brian.
Written 7 June 2023
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.
Bryan H
Thanks so much for taking the time to write a fabulous review. You did a good job of keeping me entertained for the day with some talent there ! It was a pleasure to guide your group through the ambitious schedule it all went like clockwork !
Written 26 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Don C
Lakewood, CA214 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
When your driver/tour guide asks you what you want to see, instead of telling you where you are going, it is a little off-putting.
What we saw was very interesting, but I have no idea if that was the best it could be.
What we saw was very interesting, but I have no idea if that was the best it could be.
Written 5 June 2023
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.
Bryan H
We will take your feedback onboard for future tours.
Written 26 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bob R
5 contributions
Brian took us on a full day tour of Waterford and the surrounding areas. He was very knowledgeable and informative about what was in the area. He pointed out several things that we might want to see. He suggested a FABULOUS LUNCH SPOT that had amazing food! We saw castles, toured Waterford Crystal, shopped for souvenirs, and drove through several charming villages and beautiful countryside. We couldn’t have asked for a better day or a better tour guide!! Brian and Boru Irish Adventures are the BEST!!!
Written 20 May 2023
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.
Bryan H
Thank you so much for your good review. It was a pleasure to guide your trip.
Written 23 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lazyescapes
Alpharetta, GA45 contributions
Jul 2022
We booked a private tour with Boru Adventures during our cruise trip in Ireland, at the port of Dunmore East. Since this was a private tour, we were given many options and Boru helped us making a list of attractions we were interested in. Dunmore East is close to the historic city of Waterford, known for its Viking history and Waterford Crystal. I really liked our tour guide/driver, Brian. He was very laid back and helpful. He gave good recommendations and kept everything on schedule, but he didn’t talk constantly like some tour guides too.
Our first stop was Kilkenny Castle. This is a VERY popular castle, so expect it to be crowded. This was our first stop and by having a private driver, we were there before the large tour groups. We were literally there before they opened, so we were the first people to go inside for the day. Win!
There are many castles and abbeys in Ireland. Most of which are in states of ruins. The Kilkenny Castle could have easily been one of them but in 1967, the owner at the time, Arthur Butler, 6th Marquess of Ormonde decided to sell it to the Castle Restoration Committee for £50. Since then, much restoration has been done and the castle and grounds are now managed by the Office of Public Works.
Next we walked around downtown Kilkenny, passing The Tholsel and the Butter Slip. Downtown Kilkenny is best for foot traffic, not so much for cars (there is no parking). So when we walked around, we were in close contact with our driver (by cellphone) so he could pull over when we were ready and we jumped right back in the car.
Next stop, St Canice’s Cathedral. The Cathedral is beautiful inside and out. Next to the cathedral, is a round tower with a Celtic Cross. This round tower is one of only three such medieval round towers in Ireland that can still be climbed to the top. We were given some time to make the climb if we wanted to, but the internal stairs were steep and there was an extra charge to do this. The summit would have given a clear view of Kilkenny and the countryside around.
After leaving the Cathedral, we came to Kells Priory. This was a little hidden gem because it was free, uncrowded, and beautiful. I’m glad our tour guide recommended this to us. The priory was expansive and there was a lot of information available.
There are so many trails to take and interesting things to see here. There’s a mill, and a river as well. You can even find the original tombs of the prior and prioress that was buried here. There were lots and lots of sheep laying about, making the place feeling quite enchanted.
Moving on, now we are at the Viking Triangle. The Viking Triangle is basically a little area that has many museums and displays of the Viking history. In this area, there’s the Reginald’s Tower, the Medieval Museum, and the Bishop’s Palace Museum. We weren’t in the area long enough to really go into each museum, but I had wanted to do the King of the Vikings Virtual Reality Experience, which apparently is something we should have booked ahead of time because it was sold out when we got there. Nonetheless, it was an interesting area to walk around and the Waterford Crystal is located here as well.
Next we visited the showroom of Waterford Crystal. The oldest piece of Waterford Crystal in the world is the Penrose Decanter and it’s located here.
Now we were starving. Brian recommended to us a restaurant in the middle of this area called The Reg, an authentic Irish restaurant with nice balcony seating overlooking the Viking Triangle. Perfect.
Ireland has the most beautiful coastline. Since we still had a little time to kill, our private driver Brian decided to take the scenic coastal route and stopped at Kilmurrin Beach and Tramore Beach for some photo ops.
As you can see, we did a LOT in one day. This was possible because we of Brian, picking us up at the end of each hike and move on to the next destination whenever we were ready. I definitely feel like it was well worth the cost (which wasn’t much because we shared the cost with 2 other families) to book private than a group tour. Next time, I will know to schedule the VR experience in advance and I hope to do the Smithwick’s Experience, which was closed due to COVID during our visit.
Our first stop was Kilkenny Castle. This is a VERY popular castle, so expect it to be crowded. This was our first stop and by having a private driver, we were there before the large tour groups. We were literally there before they opened, so we were the first people to go inside for the day. Win!
There are many castles and abbeys in Ireland. Most of which are in states of ruins. The Kilkenny Castle could have easily been one of them but in 1967, the owner at the time, Arthur Butler, 6th Marquess of Ormonde decided to sell it to the Castle Restoration Committee for £50. Since then, much restoration has been done and the castle and grounds are now managed by the Office of Public Works.
Next we walked around downtown Kilkenny, passing The Tholsel and the Butter Slip. Downtown Kilkenny is best for foot traffic, not so much for cars (there is no parking). So when we walked around, we were in close contact with our driver (by cellphone) so he could pull over when we were ready and we jumped right back in the car.
Next stop, St Canice’s Cathedral. The Cathedral is beautiful inside and out. Next to the cathedral, is a round tower with a Celtic Cross. This round tower is one of only three such medieval round towers in Ireland that can still be climbed to the top. We were given some time to make the climb if we wanted to, but the internal stairs were steep and there was an extra charge to do this. The summit would have given a clear view of Kilkenny and the countryside around.
After leaving the Cathedral, we came to Kells Priory. This was a little hidden gem because it was free, uncrowded, and beautiful. I’m glad our tour guide recommended this to us. The priory was expansive and there was a lot of information available.
There are so many trails to take and interesting things to see here. There’s a mill, and a river as well. You can even find the original tombs of the prior and prioress that was buried here. There were lots and lots of sheep laying about, making the place feeling quite enchanted.
Moving on, now we are at the Viking Triangle. The Viking Triangle is basically a little area that has many museums and displays of the Viking history. In this area, there’s the Reginald’s Tower, the Medieval Museum, and the Bishop’s Palace Museum. We weren’t in the area long enough to really go into each museum, but I had wanted to do the King of the Vikings Virtual Reality Experience, which apparently is something we should have booked ahead of time because it was sold out when we got there. Nonetheless, it was an interesting area to walk around and the Waterford Crystal is located here as well.
Next we visited the showroom of Waterford Crystal. The oldest piece of Waterford Crystal in the world is the Penrose Decanter and it’s located here.
Now we were starving. Brian recommended to us a restaurant in the middle of this area called The Reg, an authentic Irish restaurant with nice balcony seating overlooking the Viking Triangle. Perfect.
Ireland has the most beautiful coastline. Since we still had a little time to kill, our private driver Brian decided to take the scenic coastal route and stopped at Kilmurrin Beach and Tramore Beach for some photo ops.
As you can see, we did a LOT in one day. This was possible because we of Brian, picking us up at the end of each hike and move on to the next destination whenever we were ready. I definitely feel like it was well worth the cost (which wasn’t much because we shared the cost with 2 other families) to book private than a group tour. Next time, I will know to schedule the VR experience in advance and I hope to do the Smithwick’s Experience, which was closed due to COVID during our visit.
Written 29 November 2022
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.
Bryan H
Thanks so much Linda for taking the time to write such a great and detailed review. You were a fun and relaxed group and it was my pleasure to guide. You have a great memory for details and you write very well. I really enjoyed reading this review. Thanks, Brian
Written 21 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DarMar1974
Bedford, Canada5 contributions
Sep 2022
We contacted Brian and he agreed to spend the day with us. We agreed on a date and price so he said he reserved the day for us. The next day he said he wanted more money so we agreed. Later that same day he said he was fully booked. He cancelled on us!
Written 23 September 2022
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.
Bryan H
You contacted us during a busy period and requested an unrealistic discount on a day tour. Ultimately, we didn't carry out the tour. We didn't take a deposit or any payment for the tour nor did we carry out the tour. You have left a negative review of a day tour you didn't experience rather an interaction with our company.
Written 21 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Laranjava
San Francisco, CA6 contributions
Sep 2022
Brian was a fantastic host and guide! We didn't know what we wanted to do and were prone to changing our minds in light of plans & weather, but it didn't phase him--he was lovely and patient, and helped us make realistic plans to see the most beautiful areas. We had a car but it was definitely more relaxing to have someone else drive, especially on some of the more narrow roads, and to learn more about the local history and culture than we would on our own. Highly recommended!
Written 19 September 2022
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.
Bryan H
Thanks Lara for taking the time to write a great review. There are lot of great options from Cork so it can be tricky to decide. I think we made the right choices for the conditions both days and it was fun with your family. I hope your work in Dublin was a success ! Thanks
Written 21 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nadia K
1 contribution
Jul 2022
We've booked the adventure with 2 kids and 4 adults. We had an amazing day and the kids loved every single part of it. We went to New Grange first, then visited a very special place that only a few know about (a little surprise from Bryan, the guide).
We've also visited the Trim Castle and many other things.
Bryan is very knowledgable and interesting guide. I feel like I've learned so much in a day!
I recommend!
We've also visited the Trim Castle and many other things.
Bryan is very knowledgable and interesting guide. I feel like I've learned so much in a day!
I recommend!
Written 23 August 2022
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.
Bryan H
Thanks so much for your kind review. You were a fantastic group and it was a great day out. Here's to the next adventure !
Written 21 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Saif
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates1 contribution
We have done two private tours with Mr. Brian and he exceeded our expectations.
He know his way around and covered our trips main attractions with interesting information.
Highly recommend his tours for those who want to maximize their experience in Ireland.
He know his way around and covered our trips main attractions with interesting information.
Highly recommend his tours for those who want to maximize their experience in Ireland.
Written 25 July 2022
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.
Bryan H
Saif thanks so much for your wonderful review. It was a nice couple of days with your family. I enjoyed the trip out to hazel mountain chocolate. That was a new one in the area for me ! I hope you come back to Ireland again to see some more of the countryside. Thanks
Written 21 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nancy L
Cypress2 contributions
Jun 2019
This was our third trip to Ireland and on each trip we have booked a private tour to get out of the city and go see historic sites and the beautiful countryside. Brian with Boru Irish Adventures met us at our cruise ship. He was a very pleasant, competent, and knowledgeable tour guide and the air conditioned minivan was roomy and comfortable. We knew in advance some of the places we wanted to visit and he arranged a completely customized tour to accommodate our desires along with some of his own suggestions. This private tour was one of the highlights of our trip. We hope to return to Ireland again and we will definitely contact Brian for another tour.
Written 19 March 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.
Bryan H
Thanks so much Nancy for your great review. It was a pleasure to work with you and Joe. It's always nice to work with special interest groups. I hope to see you back in Ireland again soon. Thanks
Written 21 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Joe
2 contributions
Aug 2019 • Friends
Myself and two old friends customized the 7-day adventure trip and added a day. Pre-trip communications were excellent, and Brian would often respond same day, even while on other trips.
The van was nice with plenty of room for our small group; would be nice to have more regular wifi, but who really needs that while on vacation?
We drove a lot of km over the 8 days. Brian got us there safely, and having someone else drive was one of our motivations for going with a guide service. At times, particularly in the evenings, Brian was able to make up time.
Tour route: we were all in Ireland for the first time and wanted to sample of all of it: mountains, coasts, historic sites, food, music, culture. We definitely got all of this, and more. We started in Wicklow and headed south then west. Most of the 8 days included a hike, bike ride, boat tour, or surf lesson, and some days included multiple activities. The hikes in the west were definitely the highlights.
Timeliness: there was often traffic and the drive times were longer than anticipated. However, Brian kept us appraised of delays and offered options as necessary to account for unforeseen delays or to reduce van time. Each afternoon, we reviewed options and made plans for the following day.
Accommodations: all the regular places that Brian booked for us were great. There was an AirBnB in Galway--booked on relatively short notice when options were limited--that was a couple of km from city center and was a bit musty. Everything else was really nice, and the breakfasts provided by the hosts or paid for by Brian at local cafes were fantastic.
Food generally was fresh and tasty, and Brian had great recommendations in most of the towns we stopped in.
Music: we came across the best trad sessions in Doolin. Brian has some skill with the whistle!
Other: I think Brian felt personally responsible for making sure we had a fun, safe, and complete adventure. He would often join us on hikes, took lots of great photos of our group, and shared his deep and extensive knowledge of Irish history and culture. We were amazed at the range of topics that he had experience with, and he brought a whole new layer of experience to the trip that we would not have gotten on our own. Our experience with Brian made us all aware of the potential for future guided trips when exploring new places.
The van was nice with plenty of room for our small group; would be nice to have more regular wifi, but who really needs that while on vacation?
We drove a lot of km over the 8 days. Brian got us there safely, and having someone else drive was one of our motivations for going with a guide service. At times, particularly in the evenings, Brian was able to make up time.
Tour route: we were all in Ireland for the first time and wanted to sample of all of it: mountains, coasts, historic sites, food, music, culture. We definitely got all of this, and more. We started in Wicklow and headed south then west. Most of the 8 days included a hike, bike ride, boat tour, or surf lesson, and some days included multiple activities. The hikes in the west were definitely the highlights.
Timeliness: there was often traffic and the drive times were longer than anticipated. However, Brian kept us appraised of delays and offered options as necessary to account for unforeseen delays or to reduce van time. Each afternoon, we reviewed options and made plans for the following day.
Accommodations: all the regular places that Brian booked for us were great. There was an AirBnB in Galway--booked on relatively short notice when options were limited--that was a couple of km from city center and was a bit musty. Everything else was really nice, and the breakfasts provided by the hosts or paid for by Brian at local cafes were fantastic.
Food generally was fresh and tasty, and Brian had great recommendations in most of the towns we stopped in.
Music: we came across the best trad sessions in Doolin. Brian has some skill with the whistle!
Other: I think Brian felt personally responsible for making sure we had a fun, safe, and complete adventure. He would often join us on hikes, took lots of great photos of our group, and shared his deep and extensive knowledge of Irish history and culture. We were amazed at the range of topics that he had experience with, and he brought a whole new layer of experience to the trip that we would not have gotten on our own. Our experience with Brian made us all aware of the potential for future guided trips when exploring new places.
Written 14 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.
boruireland
Thanks for taking the time to write a comprehensive review. I really enjoyed the adventurous trip with your group and hope you come back to do the Northwest sometime. Slainte
Written 15 October 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
