Private tour in Dublin John D

Irish Gardens Private Tour

5.0

(3) reviews

-
Hours icon 7 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 7 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

John D.

4.9

Guide rating

126

Reviews

Tours delivered

5 hrs

Avg. response time

I am a licensed driver guide with my own limousine, a native of Dublin with a passion for my country and explaining both it and its history to visitors. I have had a life long interest in cultural and natural heritage of all kinds and really know the way to all the best and most interesting places. Dublin is a wonderful city to visit with an interesting history stretching back over a thousand years and is full of great architecture, historic places, fascinating museums and is renowned for it's highly educated, vibrant young population (50% are under 45 years old) and its great food. In addition it is famous as a UN World Heritage City for English Literature and for the many famous rock musicians that live here such as U2. Let me make sure you get to see and experience the best it has to offer. The city is located on wide a beautiful wide horse shoe shaped bay backed by the beautiful Wicklow Mountains to the South and the rich farmland of the central plain to the West and North. Around the city in whatever direction you travel there are numerous places full of interest; from one of the greatest gardens in the world at Powerscourt, to the World Heritage Tombs of the Boyne Valley, or the rugged beauty of the Wicklow Mountains. Whatever direction you choose to go I know all theses areas well, having grown up visiting them and studying them as part of my career. Let me bring you to them and I will make sure you get to see as much as time permits while telling you all about them. I retired as Properties and Conservation Manager of the National Trust for Ireland in 2012 to devote myself to a full-time career as a tour guide and I am an Irish Government Approved National Tour Guide. I also hold a National University of Ireland Professional Certificate in Genealogy and Family History. I am licensed to drive up to 16 people in both limousines and mini buses. In the past I was Chairman the Heritage Gardens and Designed Landscapes Committee for ten years, served as Vice Chairman of The National Trust for Ireland, President of the European Network of National Heritage Organisations, a member of the Executive Committee of the International National Trusts Organisation and the Council of Europa Nostra (the pan European Heritage Alliance). I am also a founder member of both The Irish Garden Plant Society and The Tree Council of Ireland. I look forward to meeting you, and sharing the best of Dublin. Hons. Bachelor of Business in Entrepreneurship with First Class Honours Graduate Certificate in Business Management for Sustainable Development Failte Ireland Tour Guiding and Tourist Management Certificate with Distinction Limousine and Minibus Driver Licenses The National University of Ireland Certificate in Genealogy with first class honours (ordinary degree level certificate awarded after three years study, level 7 QQI) Graduate of The National Botanic Gardens in Amenity Horticulture. Member: Approved Tour Guides of Ireland (ATGI) Member: Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) As a licensed guide, I have no restrictions.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message John D.

Overview of your Dublin tour

As a lifelong gardener and a professional horticulturist and garden historian, I love to show our wonderful gardens to you. These are places I have known all my life and they are truly memorable they are the highlight of a trip to Ireland if you love to be among beautiful places. Ireland has some of the richest garden heritage in the world and with a lot in an easy day trip distance of Dublin. All tours are guided by a professional horticulturist and garden historian who has spent the past 40 years learning about everything there is to know about them. Highlights include the World Famous Powerscourt and an outstanding Irish style "Robinsonian" wild garden, Mount Usher, a total contrast to Powerscourt with its river setting crammed with rare plants naturalised from all over the world.

Recent Reviews

Lynda L.United States
May 2024

Our garden tour with John was simply outstanding. The timings were spot-on and John's expertise made the gardens come alive. He was able to impart a tremendous amount of knowledge and insight in a clear and understandable way for us (garden lovers but not gardening experts). John is very kind and personable and clearly a subject matter expert in all things plants and gardens. Recommend John wholeheartedly and without hesitation. Simply superb day.

Lisa G.Canada
May 2022

What a wonderful tour! John was helpful, flexible and knowledgeable. He was sensitive to the challenges of the older couple in our group, while ensuring that we saw more than we had asked for. His vehicle was comfortable and very well-kept and arrangements and communications were smooth and easy. I also appreciated that John has great "radar" for when to be chatty and entertaining and when to let the sights speak for themselves. Thank you, John!

Your Dublin tour itinerary

Take the opportunity to be expertly guided around one of the world's greatest gardens with its beautiful natural setting, outstanding art collection and stunning planting that is among the greatest in the world ranking only after Versailles outside Paris and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in England in a 2014 poll by The National Geographic Magazine readers by a gardens expert and historian who has known them all is life. Highlights include; - Powerscourt Gardens - Mount Usher Gardens - Hunters Hotel (subject to availability) - National Botanic Gardens, Killmacurragh Following lunch in the 200 year old Hunters Hotel (subject to availability on booking), which is an ancient coaching inn still in the same family for all that time with quaint gardens. After lunch if energy and time permits we will then visit Kilmacurragh, the country property of the National Botanic Gardens with its long history and outstanding plant collections before returning to Dublin.

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Sedan

Air conditioned Mercedes Limousine. If you have more than 5 people, I can arrange a larger vehicle for bigger groups, provided enough notice is given. Please contact me for the details.

What's included
Other: Bottled Water
Private Guide
Private Transportation
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. - Entrance fees for Powerscourt Gardens and Mount Usher Gardens
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide:

Other details
Tour categories
Day Trip
Nature Wildlife And Safaris
Architecture
Tour reference number
351212
Languages
English
Activity level
Light
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Dublin best suited for?

This private tour is perfect for garden enthusiasts and those who appreciate beautiful landscapes. Led by John D., a professional horticulturist and garden historian, you'll explore some of Ireland's most stunning gardens. It's also ideal for travellers who want to connect with a local expert for deeper insights into the rich garden heritage of Ireland.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Dublin be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

Is this private tour in Dublin suitable for cruise ship passengers as a shore excursion?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 7 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 7 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
More tours in Dublin by John D.
Similar tours in Dublin
Explore more of Dublin
The Fair City - A Private walking Tour(Nearly!) All of Dublin in 5 hoursTop Ten Things To See In Dublin!Private 4 hour walking tour in Dublin CityDublin to Wicklow, the Garden of Ireland - Day TripThe best of Wicklow in a day - with a private GuidePrivate Cliffs of Moher Tour from DublinThe Amazing Highlights of Dublin– 3-Hour Walking Tour Cliffs of Moher & Ireland’s West Coast: Luxurious Private Day Tour from DublinDublin to Belfast Full Day Private Luxury TourFull Dublin City Walking Tour with Private Expert GuideThe Best things to do in Dublin in a full-day private tourBelfast, Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Dunluce CastleCliffs of Moher + Wild Atlantic WayGiants Causeway - Luxury Private Day Tour from DublinDo Dublin - Like a Dubliner - Half Day🎭🚶‍♂️ Dublin Walking Tour – A Storytelling Journey Through the City Seven Day Tour of IrelandDublin Through the Ages - Private half-day walking TourPrivate Driver-Guided Day Tour of DublinDay Tour from Dublin: Powerscourt, Glendalough, Wicklow Mountains Shore ExcursionHighlights of Ireland Tour - 7-day tourHighlights of Dublin City - Three Hour Walking TourMalahide Castle & Howth Village Tour from DublinBlarney Stone, Castle and Gardens, Rock of Cashel and Cahir CastlePrivate Go-As-You-Please Walking Tour of DublinDublin Sights and PintsFull-day Dublin Private driving TourDublin Private Driving Tour (Not available from cruise ships, contact me 😊) Blarney Castle and Cork: Luxurious Private Day Tour from Dublin🏰🧶 Medieval Kilkenny & Environs Private Tour 🌾Full day Brú na Bóinne Newgrange tour - Up to 3* GuestsPrivate 3 hour Dublin walking tourThree Day Tour - A Taste of Ireland🪨🌀 Ancient Boyne Valley & Brú na Bóinne Private Tour 🏰The Ultimate Day in Dublin - a private walking tourUNESCO Newgrange - older than Pyramids & Stonehenge!Dublin Highlights Private full-day TourNewgrange and Boyne Valley - Private day tripHowth Fishing Village and Peninsula Half Day Tour by Luxary Car