Touring Ireland with Chauffeur/Car and Driver

Art and Kay making new friends at the Cliffs of Moher today. This family had come all the way from India and were having a great time on their first visit to Ireland.

The group outside my own home in Kinvara this morning on our way to the Cliffs.
The magnificent Cliffs of Moher.

A great day was had by all today as we left Galway behind on our way to the south. We spent a little time at my own home in Kinvara before heading for the Cliffs. The day was really nice with plenty of sunshine and everybody enjoyed the wonderful views. Later we crossed the Shannon River on the ferry on our way to Killarney. Tonight we all went to the Liam O'Connor Show in Killarney and this was a highlight with everybody enjoying an exciting night of Irish music and dance.
Our tour is going really well and tomorrow we will be enjoying the Killarney area so i will have more to report then.
Stay with us.

Connemara with Private Chauffeur

Our first stop today was at Ashford Castle in County Mayo, and this photo was taken in the grounds at the rear of the Castle.

Relaxing in one of the lounges inside Ashford.
In the back row left to right: Joshua, Carolyn and Tom
Front row: Emily, Elissa, Kay and Art.


This photo was taken at Leenane, with the fjord in the background. This fjord is the most westerly fjord in Europe. Note the tree to the left in the background: Somebody started hanging memorabilia on it and it seems to have started a craze. Is there a story to this i have not heard?


The Lord and Lady of the Manor, Kay and Art at Kylemore Abbey.


The full party with Kylemore Abbey in the background.



The harbour at Roundstone.

What a great day we had today as we toured lovely Connemara, mainly in the sunshine. We did get the occassional shower early on but the day cleared up nicely and we had a great time. We started out at Ashford Castle and visited Leenane and the fjord, Kylemore Abbey, the Sky road and the town of Clifden where we had lunch at Walshe's Bakery in the heart of the town. I love that place as they not only do nice snacks but also have the most delicious fresh cream pastries from their own bakery on the premises. A nice place to forget about putting on those extra few pounds. We came back via the coast road through the quaint town of Roundstone and by the time we got back to Galway everybody was ready to slow down and relax.
I have published these pictures for Anna at home in the USA, by special request from all the family who miss her very much. Anna could not travel this time due to important studies, but your day will come Anna.

Travelling in Ireland with chauffeurdrive

Another view of my Poppy field.

A great day was had by all on the Aran Islands today, and the sun shone down in all its glory. Some did the bus tour of the island while a couple of them hired bikes and really enjoyed their cycle. They all climbed to the Dun Aengus fort at the top of the cliffs and were very impressed with this ancient structure. I was impressed myself with their energy as they must still be jet lagged but they seemed to be fine on our journy back to Galway and are all set for their trip to Connemara tomorrow. They have all watched "The Quiet Man" movie before they came over so it will be fun showing them some of the areas where the movie scenes were shot. We will also be visiting Roundstone and Clifden and the Sky road outside Clifden with its magnificent ocean views. Kylemore Abbey is also on our route as is the fjord at Leenane and Ashford Castle. Hopefully i will have some photos for you then.

A wonderful field of Poppies in bloom near my home. These are just growing wild and have not been purposely planted here. I have never seen such an abundance of these flowers anywhere else.

My latest tour is now underway and after a restful day yesterday my new friends are today enjoying the Aran Islands offshore in Galway Bay. Aran is a special place and the bus ride and ferry crossing are all part of a great adventure. The ferries are large boats and can carry a couple of hundred people at a time and the crossing takes just about thirty five minutes. The main attraction on the the main island, Inishmore, is the ancient Dun Aengus Fort which is situated high on the cliffs above the Atlantic. It dates back thousands of years and it is uncertain as to who inhabited it. The island itself is unspoiled and it is a great place to experience a lot of what real Irish life is all about.
Today is a mixture of sunshine and showers and our temperatures are just about in the sixties. The air is good and fresh and i am sure that they will arrive back in Galway later all fresh and rosy-cheeked.

TTravelling to Ireland for chauffeurdrive tour with Dave

A double rainbow near my home. I am still trying to find that Crock of Gold.

You must have rain if you want to have rainbows, and we do get our share of both. What a great way to cover your expenses if you could just find that magical Crock of Gold at the end of your Rainbow.


My pet Caravelle people carrier, all shining and bright and ready to go again.

Tomorrow morning we are up and away again as i start a new tour with my latest group of seven from the USA. I love my Caravelle as it is very comfortable and has all the extras like leather interior and air conditioning. Travelling in a car like this you also have the elevation you need in the western regions where you have the stone walls blocking your view if you are sitting lower in a small car.
I collect my party at Shannon tomorrow morning and make for Galway City from there. The weather is set to improve, and what a good bit of timing that was. I really do work hard to keep my guests happy.

Irish Tour with Car and Driver/Chauffeur

I just love these colours. What an artist Mother Nature is.


I have been busy, and therefore neglecting my Blog. I am now entering a long period of touring, starting again on Monday with the first one, and then again in the middle of the month for another two week tour. I am, as always, looking forward to meeting and making new friends. My second tour will be with a lady and her husband. She toured with me last year with a friend and now this year i get to meet her good husband. I am really looking forward to that and hope to play a round or two of golf with him. I myself am a member of Galway Golf club and we should get a game there. I would also love to play the Killeen course at the Killarney Golf Club where the Irish Open will be played this year. Our new US OPEN champ, Rory Mcilroy, will be playing in it, and many of the worlds top pros will be in attendance. It is sure to gather huge crowds as everybody will be excited to get the chance to meet Rory.He is such a nice young man and so deserving of his great success. Sport needs people who set a good example to the youth of today and who better than somebody their own age that they can relate to. It is a huge responsibility and lets hope that he gets the help and consideration that he needs to keep his feet on the ground.
I am also hoping that our weather will pick up as it has not been good lately. The coming week does not look too bad and i am keeping my fingers crossed.
Areas listed for the coming week for my next guests are Connemara, the Aran Islands, the Cliffs of Moher, Killarney and the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle peninsual and, of course, Blarney and Kinsale. We will also get to Cashel, and finally Dublin, so i have a lot to do. Come along with me if you have the time.
I have time available at the end of this month, and also for August and September/October so do not be afraid to message me.

An old bridge on the Clifden railway Line in Connemara

It was said to be one of the most scenic rail journeys in Europe before it was closed down in the early half of the last century. many of our minor rail way lines were closed back then and how wwe could do with them today.

Mc Ilroy wins US OPEN

What a wonderful day for the Irish once again as our rising star Rory McIlroy wins the US Open.

Last year it was Graham Mc Dowell and now once again we have another Irish winner. Not only did he win but he literally demolished a field which contained all of the world's best, bar Tiger Woods. It was a pity really that Tiger was not there as it could never be said then that Rory might not have won had he been there. It would not have made any difference to the end result as Tiger would have had to have been at his very best to beat him, and right now Tiger is far from being at his best. Whether or not he will ever again return to that level of form remains to be seen, but i personally have my doubts. Rory, on the other hand, is here for the forseeable future and i would not back against him winning the British Open now. Remember who said it first.

Chauffeurdrive holidays in Ireland with Dave Hogan

The ruin of an old cottage in the Maam valley in Connemara.

Just one of many runied cottages in the Connemara region. It is hard to imagine how large families were reared in tiny homes like these. It was not unusual for families to have at least 10 children in those days. Now the normal family would have maybe one or two children. How people existed at all in this region where the land was so poor is hard to imagine. The potato was their saviour and when the great famine put paid to that this area was devastated. Huge numbers of people boarded the emigrant ships for the USA from here and today large numbers of their descendants return here to search for their roots. Depending on the amount of information they have the success of their mission is mainly hinged. Even if they do not find any definite evidence, they do get a wonderful sense of satisfaction out of just being there. I think that there is a spiritual connection there for these people and i find it most rewarding when i see just how moved they can be by walking in the footsteps of their ancerstors.

Lemenagh Castle in the heart of the Burren in County Clare.

This fine old castle in located in the heart of the Burren and was an O'Brien castle. They were one of the most powerful clans in this country and were descended from that great High King Brian Boru who defeated the Vikings at the battle of Clontarf in 1014. This victory was Ireland's greatest victory over any invader and was the begining of the end for Viking rule in Western Europe.

Our weather at the moment is not great as it is quiet cold, indeed unnaturally cold for June. It is also showery, and these showers are sometimes very heavy. Lets hope that it warms up soon as June should be one of our better months.

I do have openings for the latter half of July and for August and September so if you need me just let me know.

Chauffeurdrive holidays in Ireland with Dave Hogan

I had the pleasure of meeting up with Gabriel Byrne, the well known Irish actor, in Ballinahinch Castle in Connemara the other day, and what a nice and pleasant man he is. Gabriel starred in many movies including The Usual Suspects, Miller's Crossing and that lovely Irish movie, Into the West. In more recent times he played the part of Dr Paul Weston in the TV series, In Treatment, for which he has won critical acclaim. He is noted as a fiercely private person but i found him most friendly and i had a lovely converstaion with him, mainly concerning Ireland and Irish tourism issues. He is a true patriot and his love for Ireland has been recognised as he has recently been appointed Irish Ambassador for literature and the Arts to the USA. I have no doubt that he will do a fine job for us in that role and that his work will result in a lot more people coming to Ireland from the USA. I wish you well Gabriel and thank you for the time you gave me in Ballinahinch.
Ballinahinch Castle is a wonderful retreat right in the heart of Connemara and is located in a lovely wooded area with its own salmon river. It is steeped in history, famous people like Grainne Uaile, the famous Grace O'Malley the Pirate Queen, Richard (Humanity Dick) Martyn, founder of the the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and MP for this area to the British Parliament, and originally the great and notorious O' Flaherty clan who ruled Connemara. I would highly recommend this hotel for anybody looking for peace and quiet in the heart of God's Country.

Another photo from Kinvara's Farmers market. Note the chickens in the pen on the table. These farmers markets are catching on big time here and you can find the best of fresh produce here.

Cliffs of Moher and Connemara with chauffeur/car and driver Ireland

My guests with renowned film and TV star Gabriel Byrne at Ballinahinch castle yesterday.
At the farmers market in Kinvara on Friday.
At the Cliffs of Moher on Friday.
On a coral beach near Clifden in Connemara yesterday.
A view of Kylemore Abbey in Connemara yesterday.

Today i left my latest touring companions back to Dublin after what i hope was a successfull tour for all. I enjoyed their company very much and we managed to get to see all we had planned to see despite some bad weather here and there. Friday and Saturday turned out to be great for us and this was important as we were touring the Burren and the Cliffs on Friday and Connemara yesterday. One of the highlights was meeting up with Gabriel Byrne at Ballinahinch and he was very nice and generous with his time. No more than i would expect from this fine man.

Irish Tour with Car and Driver/Chauffeur

The river through the gardens at Birr castle with the suspension bridge. (Click on picture to enlarge to see bridge.)

It is not often that i venture into county Offally and that is something i intend to put right. President Obama's visit to Ireland and to his ancestral home of Moneygall has really not only given a boost to Offally but it has also now forced me to include it in my list of "places to visit". This particular part of the country has been very much neglected and when you visit there you will, like me, wonder why. The magnificent bogslands of Ireland are here in all their glory, and what a wonderful sight they are. They stretch for miles and miles all sides. This is really the heart of Ireland, the engine room of this country which fueled our nation with the peat that kept our homes warm, and which still supplies much of that fuel for the homes that have not turned over to oil burners. You have the lively towns of Roscrea, Tullamore, Birr and Nenagh, and many more quaint and beautiful rural towns and villages which are all well worth a visit, and Birr castle is a treat. The only failing i found at Birr castle was what i felt was a very definite lack of proper promotion. This place should be buzzing all the time, and if it was mine, i think it would be. Yes....i could even live there.

I promised you more pictures from my present tour ,and today i am including some more from Birr Castle and the rest from the unforgettable Clonmacnoise monastic settlement.
Before i move on to Clonmacnoise i want to emphasise once again just how much i enjoyed Birr castle, and especially my tour with Henry Smith and his buggy service at the castle. We would have been lost without him as there is so much to see here in the gardens, and it is imperative that you have someone with you who can tell you all about the variety of
flowers and plants and trees here and their origin and age, and much more. How the rivers were transformed here and how the lake was developed, and why.The history of the castle, the families who lived here, their wonderful history as inventors, the telescope, and their research in Astronomy, the invention of the electrical turbine which changed our world forever, and so much more.All of this you will miss if you just walk the gardens alone. Henry's tour takes about 40 minutes, and when you finish that, then you can spend all the time you like walking the garden on your own. For the small amount he charges it would be very foolish to miss this guided tour.




Another view of the magnificent gardens at Birr castle.
One of the Round Towers at Clonmacnoise with the Shannon River in the background.
Another view of the second Round Tower with one of the magnificent Celtic Crosses in the foreground. This cross is a replica of the real one which is now housed indoors at this centre to protect it from erosion.
Again this is a replica cross. You can see the real one which is kept inside the centre. Here you also see the Cathedral in the background in which Rory O' Connor , the High King of Ireland, is buried. Now here you see the real cross in its new home inside the centre.
This was another of the wonderful crosses which they believe was hit by lightning and sadly decapitated. They never found the top portion.
The tiny church of St Ciaran who founded this monastic settlement in the sixth century. St Ciaran claimed that anyone buried here would go straight to heaven. There should be more places like that.

Birr Castle County Offally with car and driver

The old turbine at Birr castle which was invented by one of the Parsons family back in the late eighteen hundreds and which revolutionised our world energy systems.The telescope at Birr castle which once upon a time was the world's largest telescope and which was also invented by one of the Parsons.

Some of the beautiful flowers in the magnificent gardens at Birr castle
Henry Smith with his touring buggy.

You can walk the gardens at Birr castle, but make sure you go around with Henry in his buggy first. Then you will know a lot more about what you are looking at as you go. Henry's knowledge of the flowers and the amazing variety of trees on the estate is essential to help you to enjoy the gardens and should not to be missed. The castle's history and the development of these gardens and the grounds, the rivers and lakes ,are all a part of what you will learn from Henry,and his charge is more than reasonable, and worth every penny. I am recommending Henry without reservation.
One of the lovely rivers that flow through the gardens.
Henry's buggy with my people aboard.
A long range picture of the castle in the distance with the gardens and the quaint little bridge in the foreground.
Birr castle with its moat in the foreground. This moat is quiet deep and would repel attackers.
The river Shannon in front of their hotel in Athlone, the Hudson Bay.
A partial picture of the front of the Hudson Bay hotel.

My clients spent two nights in this lovely hotel which is situated on the banks of the mighty Shannon River near Athlone in County West Meath. This is a sister hotel to the Galway Bay hotel in Galway city, and i would highly recommend both of them.

I will be posting more pictures from Birr castle tomorrow, and also some pictures from the world renowned Clonmacnoise monastic settelment on the Shannon river. Make sure you come back to see these as some of them are spectacular.

Chaufferdrive tours in Ireland

The old church at Knock Shrine in County Mayo
The little sailor pointing to the entrance channel at Sligo harbour

My latest tour has just ended and i start a new one tomorrow morning (Tuesday 7th June).
Our weather has just turned once again and is now misty and cold with occassional heavy showers. Hopefully this will not last too long. The tour that just ended was special and my party were most complimentary and i could not ask for more than that.
I will be Blogging as i go again so stay in touch.