Information, tips & advice about planning your dream trip to Ireland.
Use these guides to plan your trip with confidence, avoid common mistakes, and make the most of your time in Ireland.
Planning your trip to Ireland.
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Self-drive vs private driver in Ireland: what’s the better option?
Hello, John O’Connell here from Cork Luxury Travel. This is a question I get asked a lot. Usually before people arrive, sometimes on the phone, and sometimes sitting beside me in the car after they’ve already tried driving themselves for…
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First time visiting Ireland? What Americans worry about before they go
I’ve driven hundreds of American visitors around the south west of Ireland. Kerry, Cork, Dingle, Beara, West Cork. When you spend full days together in a car, people talk properly. And once guests relax, they tell me what they were…
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How to plan the perfect private driver tour of Cork and Kerry
There’s a moment that happens to a lot of visitors in Ireland. It’s usually on a narrow country road, with stone walls on either side. The view is spectacular, but instead of enjoying it, you’re gripping the steering wheel, checking…
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The art of slow travel in Ireland: How our chauffeur tours encourage mindful exploration
Hello, I’m John O’Connell, and welcome to Cork Luxury Travel, where we provide private chauffeur tours in County Cork and the South West of Ireland. Picture this: you’re gliding through the emerald hills of Ireland’s south west, where the landscape begs…
Ring of Kerry tour advice.
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Ring of Kerry Secrets: A Local’s Guide to Ireland’s Most Famous Drive
Ring of Kerry Magic: Three Ways to Experience Ireland’s Most Beautiful Drive Hello, I’m John O’Connell from Cork Luxury Travel, and I’m excited to share something special with you. After years of guiding couples and small groups through the stunning…
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From Hollywood to Hogwarts: The Ring of Kerry’s Secret Film Locations
Hello, John O’Connell here from Cork Luxury Travel. After decades of driving the Ring of Kerry, I’ve come to realise something many visitors find fascinating: some of the landscapes we pass every day have been used in major films and…
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The best times of year to tour the Ring of Kerry: A seasonal guide to Ireland’s most scenic drive
You’ve heard whispers about it. Maybe a friend returned from Ireland wide-eyed, raving about “the drive of a lifetime.” Or you saw a photo: waves crashing against ancient cliffs, mist curling around mossy mountains, and thought, I want to go…
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Why a private driver is the best way to experience a Ring of Kerry tour – stress-free, scenic, and exclusive
The Ring of Kerry is one of Ireland’s most breathtaking drives—a sweeping 179-kilometer route along the rugged Iveragh Peninsula, where dramatic cliffs, ancient ruins, and charming villages unfold at every turn. But for all its beauty, this road is notoriously…
Hiring a private tour driver.
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Everything you wanted to know about touring Ireland (but were too afraid to ask)!
Planning a trip to Ireland is thrilling, but let’s face it—there are some questions you may be dying to ask, but feel too awkward or unsure to bring up. If you’re traveling with a small group of family or friends…
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Why hiring a private driver is the ideal way for small groups to tour Ireland’s South-West
Discover Ireland’s southwest with ease and comfort Picture this: You and your closest friends or family, gliding through Ireland’s breathtaking landscapes in the comfort of a luxury vehicle, with no maps to follow, no parking worries, and no stress about…
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What to look for when choosing a private tour driver in Ireland
If you are going to have a private chauffeur taking you around our lovely countryside, you’ll want to be sure of some basic qualities if the holiday is going to go with a bang. After all, if you’re to be…
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Off the beaten track: hidden gems in Cork & Kerry for the curious traveller
When most American visitors think of Ireland, they picture the Cliffs of Moher, Dublin’s lively Temple Bar, and the well-known Ring of Kerry. While these spots are undeniably stunning, the southwest of Ireland—specifically Cork and Kerry—holds a wealth of lesser-known…
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Ten “must-see” places to visit when touring Ireland
If you’re visiting the green hills of Ireland then you’ll want to make sure you see everything you can. And there’s a lot to take in, from North to South, East to West, there are some hidden gems that you…
Questions I’m often asked about visiting Ireland for the first time.
Over the years, I’ve spoken with hundreds of visitors from around the world who are planning their first trip to Ireland. No matter where they’re coming from, the same questions tend to come up again and again. I’ve answered some of the most common ones below to help you plan your trip with a bit more confidence and avoid some of the usual pitfalls.
Avoid the pitfalls of planning a trip to Ireland. Get advice from a local expert.
Planning a trip to Ireland from abroad can be more complicated than you realise. Distances are often underestimated, routes can be slower than expected, and it’s easy to miss the places that are actually worth your time. By speaking directly with myself, John O’Connell, you’ll benefit from years of local experience guiding visitors through Cork and Kerry. I can help you avoid common mistakes, suggest smarter routes, and recommend stops you won’t find in guidebooks. A short conversation at the planning stage can save you time, reduce unnecessary costs, and ensure your trip runs smoothly from start to finish.