Private tour in Dublin John D
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John D.
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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.
As a heritage specialist and historian, I love sharing all that is best in Irish heritage. Ireland is rightly famed for its 18th-century Georgian architecture with some of the best-preserved examples in the world, created when Ireland was the second kingdom of the British Empire, and Dublin its second capital. It's called Georgian because there were four kings of England and Ireland in the roughly 100 years from 1714 until 1830 - Georges I to IV. I love sharing the stories behind the architecture also. It's a great way of understanding what our links to England are all about and how Ireland has had such a major influence on the English-speaking world. I have spent a lifetime campaigning for the preservation of these beautiful places and delight in showing them to you.
This itinerary is flexible and can be adapted to suit your needs. Recommended places include: -Castletown House Ireland's first and largest Palladian style house. Erected between 1722 and c. 1729 for William Connolly, the Speaker of the Irish House of Commons, Castletown House it's also Ireland's largest house with gorgeous interiors - an Italian Palace set in the lush Irish Countryside -Maynooth Ireland's only University town, Maynooth University's vibrant and beautiful campus with its main buildings by Augustus Welby Pugin architect of the House of Parliament in London. -The university is closely integrated with the historic and lively town of Maynooth. -If desired a special afternoon tea can be arrange at the nearby five star Carton House Hotel at extra cost. This was the home of the Dukes of Leinster, Ireland's premier noble man and is an experience not to be missed with elaborate service and food in a Ducal setting.
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Transport is either by E Class Mercedes (seats 3-4) or Mercedes Viano (seats 5 - 6). If you have more then 5 people, I can arrange a larger vehicle for bigger groups, provided enough notice is given. Please contact me for the details.
Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland
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