Small Escorted Tours Of Ireland
Small Escorted Tours Of Ireland
Small Escorted Tours Of Ireland
5
Multi-day ToursCultural ToursHistorical & Heritage ToursSightseeing ToursDay Trips
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Full view
About
We are a family run, private guided tour company based in Kilkenny. The company was formed in 1987 by Michael Forristal who had a passion for meeting people & showing them the best of Ireland in their days here. We provide Bespoke Tours of Ireland, with personalized itineraries & safe luxurious travel. All our vehicles are new Mercedes -V Class, Sedans or Sprinters. Each day is a new adventure full of beautiful scenery, historical sites & fun!!. All our driver guides are local Irish born and raised & will enhance your overall Ireland experience.
Kilkenny, County Kilkenny, Ireland
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Small Escorted Tours Of Ireland
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
150 reviews
Excellent
149
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Sharon M
1 contribution
Aug 2021
I would give Small Escorted Tours of Ireland 10 stars on a five star scale, that is how pleased I was with this company. Myself and my two sisters were in Ireland from August 16 - 25, 2021, and It was the most wonderful experience I could ever have dreamed. My personal tour was meticulously planned by Paul who patiently worked with me over a two year period through all the Covid 19 cancellations and limitations , and throughout the entire 9 days of travel. I selected this company originally because I wanted to take my two older sisters with me, one who has limited mobility. Since, I had never been to Ireland, I had to depend on Paul to follow through on all the necessary requirements to make her stay not only accessible, but also enjoyable. He did not disappoint me. Every aspect was taken care of for us. Even though Ireland had just opened up to the United States, our accommodations were at the highest level eating our every request. Paul even provided a wheelchair for the 3 days we were experiencing Dublin on our own. This allowed us the freedom to see more of Dublin. On our Fourth day we began a 6 day tour across Island with our charismatic tour guide, Maurice, who in himself is a national treasure. His extensive knowledge of Ireland’s geology, history, and culture is amazing. He kept us spellbound with his historical story telling, and witty sense of humor. I, also, want to point out that his caring way , especially in how he interacted and assisted my handicapped sister was appreciated more than words can say. I learned so much from him, and have gained a more binding love to the nation of my grandparents. Though, I did select this type of tour due to the limitations of my sister, after experiencing this way of seeing Ireland, I can’t image touring any other way. My memories of Ireland will last me a life time, but I came home so excited that I honestly am planning on returning to Ireland. I will definitely schedule through Small Escorts Tours again. Thank you Small Escort Tours of Ireland for making a dream come true for three sister who never thought we would get a chance to do this. I, also, want to thank the owners for providing a company that gives handicapped individuals the opportunity to travel in a professional first class luxurious style while they can enjoy all that Ireland has to offer, including the friendliest people you ever will meet.
Written September 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave S
2 contributions
Jun 2022
Although our trip was delayed by over 2-years due to COVID, it was worth the wait.
Paul Hoyne, our tour guide, came highly recommended by a peer - who was spot on! Besides doing a fantastic job explaining the history of Ireland, Paul was extremely personable and accommodated our needs throughout the tour. Ireland is a beautiful country. Working with the Small Escorted Tours Of Ireland company allowed us to build an itinerary that enabled us to see so much of the country in a limited amount of time. It was an excellent experience. I would highly recommend the Small Escorted Tours Of Ireland company and Paul Hoyne as your tour guide!
Paul Hoyne, our tour guide, came highly recommended by a peer - who was spot on! Besides doing a fantastic job explaining the history of Ireland, Paul was extremely personable and accommodated our needs throughout the tour. Ireland is a beautiful country. Working with the Small Escorted Tours Of Ireland company allowed us to build an itinerary that enabled us to see so much of the country in a limited amount of time. It was an excellent experience. I would highly recommend the Small Escorted Tours Of Ireland company and Paul Hoyne as your tour guide!
Written July 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
6fromCT
34 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
My family and I regularly use private guides when traveling abroad. This company far exceeded our expectations and provided us with an experience we will remember forever. My 18 year old daughter (her first time in Ireland) and I had 2 free days while traveling to Dublin and decided to tour outside of the city. After reading the reviews for Small Escorted tours I contacted them via email. They replied quickly and provided much insight about places to visit and hotels to consider. As we reviewed various itineraries they continued to provide us with invaluable information prior to our arrival. We based our tour out of Kilkenny so that we could maximize our time exploring Ireland since our departure was from Dublin.
Paul Hoyne was our driver guide and he is a truly knowledgeable and professional guide, and an extremely nice man to boot! He provided us with information and experiences not in any guide book throughout our trip, taking us off the beaten path while also including traditional must see stops. In the much too short amount of time we spent with him he customized our trip as he got to know us better and learned what appealed to us. We loved every moment of our tour and only wish we could have stayed longer. We will definitely travel with them again on our next trip to Ireland.
Paul Hoyne was our driver guide and he is a truly knowledgeable and professional guide, and an extremely nice man to boot! He provided us with information and experiences not in any guide book throughout our trip, taking us off the beaten path while also including traditional must see stops. In the much too short amount of time we spent with him he customized our trip as he got to know us better and learned what appealed to us. We loved every moment of our tour and only wish we could have stayed longer. We will definitely travel with them again on our next trip to Ireland.
Written March 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann L
3 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Our trip to Ireland surpassed my expectations, due to the attentiveness to detail from Small Escorted Tours. They worked closely with our family to accommodate our varied interests and were very patient, as we changed our itinerary several times. Our driver, Kevin, was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge, and we were able to sit back and relax in the luxurious van, as he navigated the narrow roads and brought us from one beautiful city to another. Kevin shared history, stories, and folklore with us, and we felt like he was an old friend by the end of the week. Thank you, Marian and Kevin for planning such a wonderful trip for us. I can’t wait to return to Ireland!
Written September 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris M
42 contributions
Jul 2022
We had a wonderful trip in Ireland, thanks to Small Escorted Tours and our driver/guide Maurice. With 6 people (2 parents + 3 teens + ,grandma) it didn't make sense to rent a car or van. The private escorted tour wasn't much more expensive than traveling with a larger group, and we had a lot of flexibility with the schedule. The last time I went to Ireland with my wife, we rented a car, and it was challenging driving on the other side of the road and navigating the often intimidating and narrow roads. Maurice was an experienced driver who knew all the different routes and interesting sites along the way. He shared many cultural and historical insights at the various stops and on the drive.
We started in Dublin, then went to Wicklow, Kilkenny, Kinsale, Blarney, Killarney, Dingle, Clare, Galway, Donegal, Drogheda, and then back to Dublin for a few days on our own.
The company and Maurice ensured everything went smoothly. The hotel accommodations and included breakfasts were excellent. The spacious and new Mercedes 7 person van was perfect for our group size with plenty of leg room and luggage space.
The only thing I would change next time is to spend more time in fewer places. I would love to spend a week in Kerry, Connemara, or Donegal. But for the first trip to Ireland, I think my kids learned a lot and enjoyed themselves. Some favorites included New Grange, holding baby lambs, Powerscourt, and the Cliffs of Moher.
I highly recommend Maurice!!
We started in Dublin, then went to Wicklow, Kilkenny, Kinsale, Blarney, Killarney, Dingle, Clare, Galway, Donegal, Drogheda, and then back to Dublin for a few days on our own.
The company and Maurice ensured everything went smoothly. The hotel accommodations and included breakfasts were excellent. The spacious and new Mercedes 7 person van was perfect for our group size with plenty of leg room and luggage space.
The only thing I would change next time is to spend more time in fewer places. I would love to spend a week in Kerry, Connemara, or Donegal. But for the first trip to Ireland, I think my kids learned a lot and enjoyed themselves. Some favorites included New Grange, holding baby lambs, Powerscourt, and the Cliffs of Moher.
I highly recommend Maurice!!
Written July 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda and Steve
New Jersey1 contribution
Jun 2022
The 9 of us had a WONDERFUL 8 Days in Ireland!! Our driver Frank Harmond was incredible! He continually made adjustments to our itinerary to accommodate what became interesting on each of our private tours. He was unbelievably knowledgeable of the history and current-day happenings at each site we landed. He always took care of us; restaurant accommodations, bathroom breaks, and photo ops, were never a concern. Frank had us covered!
Frank really 'read the grouping', knowing when to share information, and when to just let us reflect on the beauty. Or grab a recharging nap!
Also a big thanks to Paul who was very patient with the large group and provided us with all the accommodations and transportation. Truly making our trip worry-free.
We can't say enough about what a fantastic trip to Ireland we had!! Thank you, Frank and Paul, for showing us your beautiful country and sharing your gracious people. A trip we will never forget!
Frank really 'read the grouping', knowing when to share information, and when to just let us reflect on the beauty. Or grab a recharging nap!
Also a big thanks to Paul who was very patient with the large group and provided us with all the accommodations and transportation. Truly making our trip worry-free.
We can't say enough about what a fantastic trip to Ireland we had!! Thank you, Frank and Paul, for showing us your beautiful country and sharing your gracious people. A trip we will never forget!
Written June 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Love2Travel
Silver Spring, MD2 contributions
Oct 2022
We had a wonderful 2 week vacation in Ireland thanks to Small Escorted Tours. Marian was a delight to work with!! She was extremely patient with us as we changed & rearranged our itinerary again and again. She even arranged a special treat for my husband's birthday! Dermott met us at the airport and gave us a fantastic tour of Bray, Lough Tay, Glendalough, and the Wicklow mountains. Starting in Kilkenny, Kevin drove us all over Ireland, he was witty, and very knowledgeable of local history in each area we visited. The whole team made us feel very welcomed and they were available if we needed anything. We would definitely recommend Small Escorted Tours of Ireland for your vacation!
Written December 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandy D
Waupaca, WI32 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
This was my second trip with Small Escorted Tours and driver/historian extraordinaire, Maurice Curran. Our first trip in 2015 with family (adults & children) was exceptional. We enjoyed the experience so much that when a 2nd opportunity to visit Ireland arose, the decision was easy who to contact.
This trip was for two women touring the Ireland before meeting our husbands (they were on a separate golf tour). Paul from Small Escorted Tours took care of the details. During the planning process, we had some changes but Paul catered to everything we wanted to see and do, and so much more. Paul handled everything with professionalism and careful attention to detail. We had an early morning flight into Dublin & Maurice was there to greet us in a comfortable new van. We spent nights in Galway, Dingle, Kenmare, Kinsale, Kilkenny and Dublin. Accommodations varied from quaint B&B’s to very nice hotels all close enough to walk to restaurants & pubs at the end of the day.
Maurice is an accredited Tour Guide with a wealth of knowledge of Ireland’s history, traditions, lore & language providing stories that make history come alive. His tour covered thousands of years of history, amazing views, vistas, ring circles, stone circles, pubs and so many laughs. We met some of his fellow tour guides and it was obvious that he is held in high regard by his peers. We’ll have memories for a lifetime. Perfect weather allowed us to alter the days plans slightly to take full advantage of the stunning vistas at Connor Pass in Dingle & Priests leap on the road to Kenmare.
Small escorted Tours of Ireland provided a personal journey, lasting memories and so many smiles. Thank you for everything.
This trip was for two women touring the Ireland before meeting our husbands (they were on a separate golf tour). Paul from Small Escorted Tours took care of the details. During the planning process, we had some changes but Paul catered to everything we wanted to see and do, and so much more. Paul handled everything with professionalism and careful attention to detail. We had an early morning flight into Dublin & Maurice was there to greet us in a comfortable new van. We spent nights in Galway, Dingle, Kenmare, Kinsale, Kilkenny and Dublin. Accommodations varied from quaint B&B’s to very nice hotels all close enough to walk to restaurants & pubs at the end of the day.
Maurice is an accredited Tour Guide with a wealth of knowledge of Ireland’s history, traditions, lore & language providing stories that make history come alive. His tour covered thousands of years of history, amazing views, vistas, ring circles, stone circles, pubs and so many laughs. We met some of his fellow tour guides and it was obvious that he is held in high regard by his peers. We’ll have memories for a lifetime. Perfect weather allowed us to alter the days plans slightly to take full advantage of the stunning vistas at Connor Pass in Dingle & Priests leap on the road to Kenmare.
Small escorted Tours of Ireland provided a personal journey, lasting memories and so many smiles. Thank you for everything.
Written September 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian P
Vancouver, Canada11 contributions
Sep 2019
Small Escorted Tours is deserving of the accolades and Trip Advisor five star reviews. As two couples visiting Ireland for the first time couldn’t have chosen a better tour for our 12 day introduction to Ireland. WE toured the south, with a visit to the north. It is a wonderful country, and our tour experience couldn’t have been better. Paul is a wonderful driver. He is professional, knowledgeable of local history, customs, and culture. He knows the preferred times and off the path locations to visit busy tourist sites and restaurants. He is courteous, and has a friendly sense of humour . The Mercedes van is comfortable, quiet, and Paul keeps it clean, tidy, and stocked with water. He is an excellent driver, and is punctual. Thank you Paul for the wonderful memories.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traci B
Salt Lake City, UT1 contribution
Jun 2022 • Family
We (me, my husband and 2 adult daughters) had to postpone this college graduation trip for both daughters because of Covid, so when things started opening back up we took our chance. We inquired with Small Escorted Tours of Ireland and they were awesome in every stage of planning, from accommodations to answering any questions we had and tailoring our trip to the places we asked to see. Paul was very helpful and patient with me as I had many questions.
Even before Covid, we were not fans of traveling on a large bus with lots of people and having no flexibility, so this was the perfect solution.
Our guide Maurice picked us up in a very nice and comfortable Mercedes van and we were off! Just the 5 of us. He was professional, knowledgeable in all of the history we were surrounded by, and very personable - with many a story and jokes. He suggested detours and places along the way that we would have never known about otherwise. The van was always clean and stocked with water and maps to follow if you wanted. Maurice is the best and we feel very grateful to have been on our journey with him.
The flexibility is priceless and the van we were in gets into places that the larger bus tours cannot.
Would highly recommend Small Escorted Tours of Ireland to anyone looking for a more intimate travel experience.
Even before Covid, we were not fans of traveling on a large bus with lots of people and having no flexibility, so this was the perfect solution.
Our guide Maurice picked us up in a very nice and comfortable Mercedes van and we were off! Just the 5 of us. He was professional, knowledgeable in all of the history we were surrounded by, and very personable - with many a story and jokes. He suggested detours and places along the way that we would have never known about otherwise. The van was always clean and stocked with water and maps to follow if you wanted. Maurice is the best and we feel very grateful to have been on our journey with him.
The flexibility is priceless and the van we were in gets into places that the larger bus tours cannot.
Would highly recommend Small Escorted Tours of Ireland to anyone looking for a more intimate travel experience.
Written November 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you tell me what the iternary was like?
Thank you,
Written January 24, 2023
Can you tell me what the iternary was like?
Thank you,
Written January 24, 2023
We made our own itinerary with their help. I told them the number of days we had and the places/cities we were wanting to visit which included Northern Ireland and they arranged everything accordingly. The types of accommodations you are wanting are also part of their planning. Other tours set which places you have to go. Here you can plan your own and get awesome suggestions if you are unsure.
Written January 25, 2023
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