Private Half Day Tour of the Art & Architecture of Ireland

I am Dublin born and bred. A third generation Dubliner on both sides and not many can say that! I can even show you my Great grandmother's house in the heart of Dublin's Liberties which is preservation protected. She was a formidable woman, a Guinness widow not once, but twice! You might say the ultimate Black Widow! It is stories like these you will hear from me - local history peppered with colourful Characters - that you won't find in any history book! I am an outdoor fanatic! I love the fact that you can be in the heart of Dublin city and twenty minute car or train journey later be in the wild Wicklow hills or sleepy fishing coastal villages. Let me take you to MY favourite walks and hikes, stopping off for a hearty lunch to keep us going! I am a big Foodie and Irish Whiskey fan. I believe there is no such thing as bad Irish Whiskey - only good and better! Let me teach you what makes our Whiskey the best in the world! I have worked as a tour guide for over twenty years. When I left University, I spent a season in the iconic Guinness Visitor Centre. I left that very good "pensionable" job (my parents have just about forgiven me), to travel Europe in a homemade camper van for a couple of years with my boyfriend. At the time my Mother said, "It'll either make you or break you. " Thankfully it was the former and twenty three years later, he's now my husband! We came back to Ireland and I became a Tour Guide in beautiful Ferns Castle - which I'm convinced is haunted - in County Wexford, Ireland's sunny south east. However, I'm a city girl and Dubliner at heart and I missed the hustle and bustle. So it was back to Dublin and I began work as a guide in another iconic visitor centre - Jameson Irish Whiskey. I remained there for nearly ten years becoming head of the tour guiding department, recruiting and training in new guides. I left there - another good "pensionable" job - my poor parents - to head off on my travels again! Are you noticing a pattern!? This time my husband and I upgraded to an American RV style camper van and headed off to Europe again! We spent a blissful four years living and driving around France, Spain, Italy and Sardinia. We even dipped our toes into North Africa when we got the ferry from Spain to Morocco. It was while living in Spain that the germ of an idea began to grow! We decided to return to Ireland and set up a Corporate and Children's entertainment business with a difference. Dublin had changed a lot in the four years I was gone. In particular tourism and the diversity of what the city now had to offer. I became a freelance guide which coincided happily with my own business - giving food and whiskey walking tours! I am delighted to now be part of the ToursByLocals team. I can't wait to meet you! Be prepared for lots of questions! In true laid back Dublin style, my tours below are just a suggestion - a bit like our pedestrian crossings! With our initial introductory chat we can figure out between us how best to fill your day. Rest assured it will be full of Dublin wit and charm! You'll have stories and memories that will stay with you long after you depart our friendly shores! I have over twenty years experience working as a Tour Guide! I am an Irish Whiskey expert and aficionado, having worked in the Irish whiskey industry for over ten years. I also have a BA degree in History of Art & Architecture and Spanish. I do not drive but I can arrange for my husband to be a driver for the duration of my tour. I am not a licenced guide but I have over twenty years experience working as a guide and training in other guides.