Private Tour Guides Ireland
Our Goal is to provide more than a tour...
A full Irish Experience
Let us be your travel companions on your journey across Ireland.
When you choose Little Gem Tours you will be exploring Ireland in a personal environment with an Irish family-owned tour company and with the best local, private tours guides in Ireland. We pride ourselves on providing the best and most personal guided tours of our island whilst making sure the tour is designed to suit you.
​
" We go to the main attractions of Ireland incorporating off the beaten track travel
so you can get away from the main tourist crowds. "
​
The Little Gem Team
Private Tour Guides Ireland
Your Irish Tour Guide from the Ancient East.
Robbie McGrane
Hi, I am from Ireland's capital city, Dublin in the east of Ireland. My background is in historical walking tours of Dublin and coach tours around the island. I have always had a huge interest in Ireland's compelling history and charming culture. From Ireland's rebellious heroes to our great sporting, music & cultural achievements the island is bulging with stories to be told.
My hope is to be able to complement the incredible Irish scenery and heritage with Irish stories, historical anecdotes, yarns and music along your journey.
I have been a professional tour guide and been working in the tourism industry for the past 10 years. With an educational background in business management and marketing I am one of the founders of Little Gem Tours. I hope to bring my expertise and professionalism on your journey around Ireland.
​
Your Private Irish Tour Guide from the Wild West...
Maggie Dooney
I’m Maggie and I am a co-founder of Little Gem Tours. I grew up among a large family on a small farm in County Mayo in the west of Ireland. It was here that I learned about Ireland's deep culture and traditions growing up in a traditional Irish family setting. ]
​
Growing up along the Wild Atlantic Way gave me a great appreciation of Irish history, culture and music and I have always felt that the hardship of our ancestors is reflected in the rugged landscape of Ireland.
​
It is my pleasure to share my home and these tales with those interested in experiencing ‘true’ Ireland.
Looking forward to meeting you here in Ireland,
Taisteal sábháilte,
Maggie
Your Private Tour Planner from Magic Mayo
Rosie Dooney
Rosie hails from the West of Ireland in County Mayo and lives and breaths everything Irish. A huge sports fan Rosie can be always found cheering on the Irish and Mayo teams in Gaelic Football, Gaelic Hurling, Rugby, Soccer and every other sport there is. Rosie knows Ireland intimately from her extensive travels around the country and is a huge fan of visiting the wild islands of the rugged west coast.
​
" There is something about Ireland that makes it a special place to travel. The winding roads with grass in the middle always take you on an adventure into the wild unkown."
​
You are in safe hands with Rosie when it comes to planning your customised, private Irish adventure.
​
Your Private Tour Planner from
the heart of Dublin City
Eva Reavley
Hello dear visitor, my name is Eva. (In Irish it would be Aoife)
Born under the shadow of St. Patrick’s cathedral spires with the aroma of roasting hops at Guinness. I grew up by Dublin’s north coast dreaming of what was beyond the horizon. I crossed the border to graduate by the Causeway, then ventured further to share stories of Ireland from Italy to Japan. Offering up a thousand welcomes, cups of tea, dance and song. In America, I was immersed in educational travel from the golden state of California, and academic programmes deep in the heart of Texas. Returning full circle I was on the lookout for the ideal way to tour my homeland. I wrote about the many places to discover and in doing so found an authenticity emanating from the offerings at Little Gem. I consider these tours the best way to appreciate Ireland, and I hope you will too!
Your Guide from The City of Literature
Julian Vignoles
Julian Vignoles worked for over thirty years as a radio and television producer in RTÉ, Ireland’s national broadcaster. He started working in tourism in 2012, jointly founding a successful bike tour company in Dublin. He is the author of three books, including a biography of Ireland’s great blues guitarist, Rory Gallagher, published in 2018. He has a keen interest in all aspects of the Irish experience: history, geography, music and literature. He joined the team at Little Gem Tours in 2019.
​
​
Your Guide from the The Boyne Valley...
Richard Ball
Richard has been farming sheep and cattle for 20 years on the lands of Sliabh Ri and Boherard in Co Meath that have been farmed by his family for over 2 centuries. Growing up on the farm allowed him to play and learn among fairy forts, ruined monasteries, holy wells and ancient settlements.
"The knowledge of my land has been passed down from generation to generation, the myths and legends as well as the hard facts of farming life, having seen an Irish history and culture defined by 'the land' and its ownership"
​
Richard looks forward to sharing stories from his own experiences of rural Ireland and showing off the true Ireland, young and old.
​
Your Guide from The Wild North West
Martin Dooney
Martin was born and raised on a County Mayo farm in the west of Ireland and now leaves in the wilds of Donegal. His love and respect for the natural world and his commitment to continual research into the ‘old ways’ of his ancestors makes him the perfect tour guide for your experience of a lifetime in Ireland.
​
“Ireland, with its unique position on the edge of the continent, holds a magic in its landscapes, music and traditions. It would be my great pleasure to offer you a glimpse of this by taking you down the roads less travelled and sharing with you a nice balance of fact and folklore”
​
On his tours, Martin aims to offer a unique insight into the diverse history and sacred landscapes of this tiny island. He endeavours to take you beyond the tourist trail and immerse you in Irish culture, tradition and idiosyncrasy.
Your Guide from the Midlands...
Ruth O'Meara
Ruth is from Mullingar in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, in the centre of Ireland.
For the past 3 years, Ruth has been working as a guide and has loved showcasing our beautiful Emerald Isle to lots of international visitors. Ruth has a strong interest in Irish mythology and our unique cultural and linguistic background, as well as our rich and diverse music scene.
Ruth’s background is in international sales & business development, for which she worked for many years, until 2020 when she decided to follow her passions and qualify as a National Tour Guide, Regional Coastal Guide, Mountaineering Ireland Lowland Leader, Irish Surfing Instructor and Leave No Trace Trainer.
Ruth loves sharing her knowledge, stories and her joy of the outdoors with others.
Your Guide from the Dramatic North...
Bobby Walsh
Bobby is a native of Belfast , Born Bread and Buttered in Clonard on the Falls Road. He has been married for 32 years and has 5 adult children and has worked on the road in the city for 28 years serving communities on both sides of the fence in the heart of Belfast City. Until 20 years ago tourists tended not to venture North of the border and only those in the north were privy to its extraordinary beauty. The only visitors that visited during the times of the troubles were Journalists.
19 years ago it all changed with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement and suddenly tourists from around the world learned of the marvellous secret that is Northern Ireland. From this point he has been guiding visitors across the north providing insights into it's politics, history and exploring it's hidden gems along the way.
​
" I Like to think all my visitors come as guests and leave as ambassadors! "
Your Irish Tour Guide from
Magical Galway
Elva Deegan
Elva is a native of Galway in the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way. She is passionate about Ireland's culture, history. & folklore. Elva has worked in the tourism industry for over thirty years and has a deep understanding of the island. She is a effervescent "Galway Girl" who's passionate all things West of Ireland from the quintessential stone walls to the wilds of the Burren and everything magical in between.
​
" The world is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper" WB Yeats
​
Elva is waiting to bring the magic of Ireland alive for you !
Your Guide from The Fair City
Colm Fitzsimons
Colm Fitzsimmons comes as one of the most experienced, professional driver/guides in the Irish tourism industry. With vast experience of all corners of Ireland under his belt he is the consummate professional who prides himself on providing a service that is nothing short of excellence.
​
From the best dining experiences in the cities to the hidden gems of rural Ireland, Colm's vast knowledge will help you have the perfect Irish experience.
​
"I look forward to showing you the best of the treasure trove of Ireland's wonders and providing you with a 5* luxury service that will mean you will leave Ireland with the fondest of memories."
Your Guide from the Mystical Midlands
Tony Corcoran
Tony has guided professionally in Ireland for the past 8 years and his tours have been rated for their depth, warmth and passion.
" My aim is to make the story of Ireland live through your imagination - to share a unique moment, to hear ancient stones speak, to feel the heart of our motherland beat in your chest. "
His tours provide 'off the beaten path' experiences that so many travelers desire. This is even possible at the biggest attractions in Ireland such as the Cliffs of Moher, Giants Causweway and Newgrange. Outside of work you will find Tony hiking the mountains of Ireland, exploring caves in County Fermanagh and helping his father farming the land in County Laois.
Your Guide from Ireland's Ancient East
Jimmy Mulrooney
Your Guide from The Hidden Heartlands
Trudy Carmody
Your Guide from The Wild West
Colm Rogers
My name is Colm Rogers. I am a qualified Regional and National Tour Guide driver based in Gort, gateway to the Burren in the West of Ireland including the world famous Cliffs of Moher. My specialty is to take clients on a memorable, luxurious travel experience along the most magnificent scenery this beautiful country has to offer, giving them a relaxed, humorous and informative commentary and letting them sample great Irish hospitality as we go.
​
I look forward to showing you the best of Ireland :)
Your Guide from Derry City
Dermot McClooskey
Dermot McCloskey, a local of the Maiden City of Derry - has been unveiling the incredible history of his beloved city for years. Join him on an exploration of the historic Walled City and it’s rich maritime history. In the company of Dermot visitors will learn about his city’s complex history from medieval times through to the dark episode of the troubles and its dynamic future. Discover the lesser known gem of Derry with a historical expert.
​
