Personal, Professional and Beyond Expectations

Ireland | Aug 25 - Sep 4, 2026

They were professional and had an excellent breakfast. The room was spacious and clean and quiet.

We absolutely love the stately old gal that is the Hardiman. The furnishings were elegant but not in an intimidating way. There was kind accomodations at the front desk in allowing us to drop our luggage early. Loved loved loved the baby grand piano. Was surprised that the main restaurant was not open for dinner but we loved our delicious breakfasts there. The shower was a little tight for elbow room and our particular view was a little grim but we still felt the staff and service was great.

We arrived and were unexpectedly upgraded to a King Studio which felt very indulgent. Absolutely loved the free laundry and the very communal common spaces to share with others. Our first connection was with Elisabeth who was ver patient and gracious.

This was one of our absolute favorites. It had a balcony with a stellar view of the city. The restaurant was top drawer and the staff were incredibly attentive. Our room managed to be both grand and cozy (how does that happen)?! We had a lovely cup of coffee and a complimentary chocolate as we sat on the balcont. It felt very continental!

This felt a little more urban chic and possibly not as warm as the Granville. Very nicely appointed but very little room to get past the desk chair at the base of the bed. The extra twin size bed in the room might be a good space to move the desk to. The breakfast was great. The staff was very brigt and sunny at breakfast.

We loved that we had private transport. Our arrival (first) driver had no sign. My phone was not connected to wi-fi while we were waiting to get through customs so we were a little bit stressed in identifying which driver was ours. Though he was a great driver and very kind. He helped us with our bags. We were sorry not to have had change to give him a tip on departure. Our driver on departure was hard to find in the midst of a line of cabs all in a row but he found us and we were a-ok! He helped with the bags and got us to the airport on time despite traffic. Was a little early picking us up so that was great.

Loved our guide Michael and were so thrilled with his knowledge about sites and sense of humor. He drove very carefully and got us to each location without any issues. An excellent communicator in letting us know what time we should be back and got us back to the city right on time. We were knocked out by the Kylemore Abbey grounds though we somehow missed the guided tours on site timewise. Loved the sheepdog show and hearing details of what this is like for the owner to pursue on a professional basis. So thrilled this ended up being a full day rather than a half day for us.

Loved the history and information. Appreciated we had an actual guide taking us through the tasting. We were absolutely surprised by the quality of their product and hope to find it stateside.

It's an amazing tour though as a guide I was a little puzzled by the characterization of the schools origin story as being openly antipapist without covering some of the adjascent history that if you were catholc during that time period you were in fact disallowed an education by the penal laws. Later when they were allowed to enter the school they were characterized as denied on the basis of their ignorance. I mentioned the fact that the fact that they still spoke Gaelic today and how perilous it was for them to have kept their language alive in Hedge Schools. I believe our guide (who was lovely) had to stay on their proscribed script. I think they might revisit their script in relation to the trut of the penal laws,

We absolutely loved this whole day. They trip to Cobh and the Charles military Fort were a happy surprise. The whole experience felt very immersive in the way of being in the middle of peoples day to day lives. LOVED the grounds at Blarney. Our driver and Guide Tommy was warmly humorous and sharp as a tack. Loved the big windows on the bus. Really an excellent company.

So amazing to be invited into ths space to see the craftsmen at work. The environment meant it was a little challenging to hear our guide clearly. But there were other ways to garner information just by being there. Loved the history and details on the process.

Just a five star experience with some f the best actors in Ireland doing wha they do best in telling stories and lore about some of the greatest writers in the world. We had Frank and Finn (Phin). They unspooled a number of scenes effortlessly in the middle of the standard city hullabaloo. Most people had no idea the were actually learning something noteworthy!

Jamie was an excellent guide. We were not told at the desk that it was free to go to other musems that day (ie: first Wednesday) or what other museums we might visit if we felt inclined, but Jamie let us know as we walked along. An excellent primer on Irelands oldest city.

Paul did a great job but time of day and meet up place was a challenge as there was an overload of tings happeing in the park including on street vendor fair and hare krishnas singing wit amplification. Which made me think our guide might benefit from a little portable microphone. He had great information to share and really knew the city well. Loved some of his personal recommendations and insights based on his experience.

We loved Davy Byrnes Pub and were so impressed with the French Gueuleton restaurant in Temple Bar neighborhood. It was exceptional food and atmosphere. We'd be repeat offenders if we lived in the city.