We're reviewing the actual rail your company, not the trains or other companies used. As for Rail Tours and Brian/Norman, I found the actual company to be doing the absolute best they could under challenging employment shortages.
When you're far from home and you book a tour like this, you want knowledgeable people to be in control and the Rail Tours guys are good at keeping things orderly and together.
I can imagine your guides finding it tough to connect with a new batch of people constantly, but both Brian and Norman were affable and clearly cared about making sure our time in Ireland was fun.
As for the buses and their use of other companies, you cannot expect them to have large enough groups at all times. Ireland has tiny, windy, bumpy side roads that will challenge any bus driver.
The structured nature of times attractions certainly helps you see many things in Ireland, but I'd probably strike out on my own if I visited again to really get into the back country for hiking.