Ireland Chauffeur Travel
 

Thinking of using this company for week long trip to Ireland. We are couple in our fifties and my 87 year old father. Need a driver/guide as none of us are comfortable driving in Europe, and the budget allows for a splurge.

Anyone have experience with this company?

Doc, I think it is a good idea for you under the circumstances. I don't know the company you're considering, but we've always driven Ireland and Northern Ireland over the years since 1980.

With a driver, you can sit comfortably on your "shpilkes" either in front or rear and just relax. I used to have "shpilkes" until I reached my octogenarian mode, and now I'm much more placid!

Be sure to visit one of the two shuls in Dublin, and perhaps the little one in Cork. Belfast has a large and beautiful complex.

If you wish to see some sets of Irisher pix covering the entire island (1980-1996), say the word and I will post...or write me at stuarttower at aol dot com

We are a group of 6 (in our late 60's) with a trip scheduled for this September with Ireland Chauffeur Travel. The trip planning has been easy and the company is extremely easy and pleasant with which to work. Time will tell, but I think we have made a great choice in using this company.

Thanks for your input!!

Any other Fodorites have experience with this company??

Other suggestions for private drivers in Ireland...about to finalize some plans...THanks!

Personally without paying out a lump of cash for a driver your full stay I would use Dublin/Killarney/Galway touring bases and regular small tours. Hire a taxi for 1/2 a day to do local tours.

Good idea--taxi drivers will do that in Galway and Killarney?

Did not use this company but did have a driver hired for a two week visit; it felt like a splurge when booking but turned out to be worth every penny. The trip was for my mobility limited mother, and having a driver greatly reduced the physical demands involved in things not often considered, such as walking from parking areas to entrances, as well as relying on the experience of the driver to time visits for when there were fewer crowds at an attraction. Also allowed deciding on any given day to sleep in instead of having to catch a scheduled tour, staying as much or as little time at a given place as suited, and stopping along the way during a drive if something appealed.

Could not have done this using taxis and tours. And when considering the costs of tours for three people, it may actually be more economical to have the hired driver.

If you contact the local tourist office they will give you contact numbers for operators who will do day and 1/2 day contracts.
http://www.galway.ie/en/Visiting/Tou...icesandPoints/
http://www.killarney.ie/

DH just heard the "sleeping in" part and is sold on the idea!!

We are using midland tours through tours by locals in Galway area. He is based out of Athlone, does day trips or multiday. I have read some good reviews. Hopefully all wil go well. So far the owner, Geoff, has been very kind and responsive to emails. We are using Kenmare coach and cab for the southern portion of our trip.We considered fully escorted chauffer tours,but wanted to choose our own lodging and keep costs down. Hopefully we will be able to give glowing reports upon our return.

cjar-when are you going? I await your report

Arrive Dublin June 8 and depart Shannon June 17 th. As far as chauffered travel goes, I have read some great recommendation for Glengariff Tours run by Gene O' Sullivan. He was already booked our dates, but recommended ICT to us. Times four people it was just a bit out of budget, so hopefully our new plans work out. I will be happy to report on that once we return.

We are considering a driver/guide for May 2015. How did it work out for anyone using this service in 2014?

excellent--highly recommend. They helped us select the hotels and were very flexible in accommodating small changes to our plans when we arrived in Ireland. Would use these folks again and certainly would love to return to the beautiful country of Ireland.