Ireland
Reviews
My trip was absolutely amazing. I loved everything about it. Our tour guide was Peter and he was fantastic. The driver Enda was also amazing. Our trip was so much better with Peter and Enda. I would definitely use Gate1 again, but I guarantee you we will not have a better tour guide and driver than we did in Ireland last week. Peter and Enda highly recommended. Thank you very much.
Maureen G.
The Ireland Scotland trip was such a great experience with a lively group of people who were friendly and got along well. Our TM Chris was great and had a a great personality with a touch of humor and got along well with everyone. He had a good amount of history and living in Scotland told us a good deal about life in his country. Stops were added that enhanced the experience and it was one of my favorite trips with gate 1. Our driver Darius was amazing driving on narrow roads and we always felt safe with him at the wheel. Really a great experience with both of them.
David G.
Our tour manager, Siobhan, went over and above to assist all throughout the tour. Her and John (the driver) were great. She is one of the best tour managers we have experienced and we have had some excellent ones while traveling with Gate 1. She is an asset to Gate 1.
George E.
I recently completed my first trip using Gate 1 to travel Northern Ireland. This trip exceeded my expectations in many ways. The hotels were all excellent: the food offered at each hotel was delicious and the distance to restaurants and shops in the different cities was great. I liked how the dinner was at the hotel the first night when settling into a new city. This allowed you to settle in and get the lay of the land before dining in the town the following night. The charter buses were comfortable, and the drivers were experts in the city centers and windy country roads. A highlight of the trip for me was the tour manager, Aoife. She was at the hotel to greet us and offer suggestions for getting the most out of Dublin before the trip even officially started. She had great suggestions of sightseeing, eating, and shopping throughout the trip. Aoife offered history of Ireland throughout the trip, gave the necessary information without it being overwhelming, and effortlessly checked on everyone to ensure that they were having the best trip possible. The number of beautiful sights and scenery that was packed into this tour was amazing! I look forward to traveling with Gate 1 on a future trip.
Monica M.
We just want to share how amazing an adventure it was for us to tour Scotland & Ireland with Lenny, our dynamic tour guide and our driver- humble amazing Robbie. Gate 1 is so fortunate to have such a great team... we learned so much and had a blast doing so- all of the details about each stop along the way and opportunities to engage - by far the best tour we have been on!
Ramona P.
We just want to share how amazing an adventure it was for us to tour Scotland & Ireland with Lenny, our dynamic tour guide and our driver- humble amazing Robbie. Gate 1 is so fortunate to have such a great team... we learned so much and had a blast doing so- all of the details about each stop along the way and opportunities to engage - by far the best tour we have been on!
Ramona P.
Just got back from my Classic Ireland tour. My brother invited us to go with him. This was his 4th trip with your company. This was my first. It was a fantastic trip. Martina and our bus driver Damien were great pair. I am amazed that Martina knew our names the morning after we met. I wish I had that ability. She made history come alive for me. It was a great tour that also allowed us some free time. I would highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting to see a bit of Ireland. You folks had a great selection of hotels to stay at and the food was great too. I thanked my brother so much for inviting me.
Virginia S.
I just returned from the Classics of Ireland tour. I loved it! I want to know more about Ireland now and that is in large part to the most amazing Gate One guide. Sheila. She is the best guide I have ever had in all my years of travel. She was non-nonsense, intelligent, funny, kind and cared for our safety. I cannot speak highly enough about her. She showed me the best of Ireland--and that included herself. It was obvious she cared about her job, Ireland and her clients. I feel fortunate to have had her as my guide. Our bus driver, Enda, was fantastic also! I miss them both! I wish them only the best! And Gate One has two amazing employees and I just thought you should know.
Lynn S.
It was a wonderful experience, very memorable and meaningful, met new friends, great food, great places and great hotels. Our tour guide is great, John is very knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and accommodating to all our needs, very important, John is flexible. We're a big group but he was able to handle us with respect. We had an excellent driver, Dan, who drove us everywhere in all our tours making sure were comfortable and safe throughout our journey. We enjoyed so much our tour and at the same time we learned so much about Ireland history, memorable and enjoyable.
Maria C.
Wonderful tour from beginning to end. Peter was the absolute best tour manager. His infectious laugh, humor, friendliness, knowledge, attention to detail and concern for our wellbeing were a highlight of the tour. He made our group so cohesive that we became friends and this added to the enjoyment. He gave us great suggestions for our free time....both for sights and meals. There was nothing he could have done better......we were so fortunate to spend time with Peter. Our driver, Eric was absolutely a marvel as he maneuvered our bus thru some tight spots. He was wonderful in managing our luggage, kept our bus spotless and was a delight to talk to. We had a wonderful time and know that Peter played a major part in making us sure we will use Gate1 again and recommend your company to friends.
Phyllis B.
The guide, Mary was simply excellent. She significantly enhanced the quality of the trip. She ran a tight ship, kept everything on time, was extremely knowledgeable of all the places we visited, was very friendly, and had great recommendations for free time activities. Quality guides like her is the reason we continue to chose Gate 1. The motor coach accommodations were fantastic. New bus, comfortable, spacious, etc. The driver, Pat, had superior driving skills, amazing. Felt confident in his abilities. He was also a great guy to be around. The hotels were absolutely amazing, great choices by Gate 1. The dinners and lunches were awesome, had a great time.
Christopher A.
Just want to say I loved this trip Mel was amazing I loved how he made us all feel like a family protected safe and so much fun. I loved all the excursions and would highly recommend this trip to anyone. Thank you Gate One.
Debbie T.
cannot say enough about how fabulous our tour guide was, as Linda was a complete gem! She honestly made the trip so much fun and exceeded our expectations for how integral a part of our experience a tour guide would be. Linda was kind, thoughtful, charming, SO knowledgeable, and hilarious! I can promise you our trip would not have been what it was if we didn't have Linda. Our driver Adrian was wonderful as well, providing us with such security and safety, and he was so funny and friendly. Linda and Adrian were very entertaining, the perfect hosts for the beautiful country of Ireland, and hands down were a huge part of why our trip was so memorable. Linda is the best of the best.... We feel lucky we got to spend time with her! Thank you!!
Jennifer H.
Our entire party loved Maureen and Damien's. Maureen was so knowledgeable and seemed actively interested in the history and facts about Ireland in general and our destinations in particular. Such a nice, friendly person! . Damien was an extremely skilled driver and a fun character!!
Mary P.
Our tour guide Khristiene was wonderful, knowledgeable and such a pleasure to travel with. Our driver Keith was also very pleasant and he was a excellent driver. I've never been on a Gate 1 tour but I've heard good things about your company. I don't know that any other guide will meet the bar that she has set. We will see you in the future. Hopefully we will run into Khristiene on one of our next tours.Thank you and especially Khristiene for such an awesome vacation!
Dale C.
A special shout-out for tour manager Kat and bus driver Dan . Both were extremely professional at their jobs, very personable and approachable, and knowledgeable. They also worked very well as a team. Best I've had from Gate 1!
Judy S.
Absolutely excellent! Fantastic guides and drivers, wonderful itinerary, beautiful scenery, and so much more. The hotels, the food and the extra "surprises" were all five star experiences. And of course the welcoming people of both Ireland and Scotland and their acceptance, helpfulness and all around appreciation made the trip perfect. Gate 1 provided us with an exceptional and a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you!
Phillip C.
This trip, by far, is the BEST experience we've ever had with Gate1. Edwina was phenomenal -- we knew what to expect at the start of each day, her knowledge of history and ability to share that knowledge in an easy-to-understand way was truly amazing. Her stories are peppered with humor, and she answered every question we threw at her with a deep knowledge of the subject followed by anecdotal stories. EDWINA IS THE BEST GUIDE WE HAVE EVER HAD! And our bus driver, Robbie, was amazing as well. We thought they had worked together numerous times -- only to find out at the end of our trip that this was their first trip together. You NEVER would have known. Their interpersonal dynamic was so refreshing and fun.
Margaret M.
I really appreciate John, our tour guide. He was always polite, punctual and made himself available to us at any time. He was so very Knowledgeable about the history of Ireland and told us so many interesting stories about Ireland and the people. He went out of his way to make each person on the trip feel special. I'd love to travel with him again.
Jill S.
Our tour manager David is simply outstanding! His knowledge, enthusiasm, and attention to detail made every stop on our itinerary not just informative but truly engaging! He went above and beyond to ensure that everyone was comfortable and had an enjoyable experience. His kindness and warm heart made everyone feel just like at home! He made every moment enjoyable and ensured that we felt welcomed and engaged throughout the journey. I want to say "Thank you to David" from the bottom of my heart! Our driver Jordan's professionalism and friendly demeanor on the road complemented David perfectly! His skillful driving gave us peace of mind, allowing us to relax and soak in the beautiful scenery. The way David and Jordan worked together made our travel experience seamless and enjoyable! We have had a great time from this trip, we enjoyed all the moment with David and Jordan and the group!
Xianbao X.
It was a wonderful trip. Anne did a great job, and the locations we visited were incredible. The hotels were premium and the meals were as well. We only had one day with rain which I guess is a rarity in Ireland. We are looking forward to our next trip with Gate-One! You did a great job.
Robert S.
Our tour manager, Sheila, was outstanding. Her knowledge of Ireland's history, culture, and customs added so much depth and meaning to the entire experience. Every destination came alive through her stories, insights, and passion for that beautiful country. Beyond her expertise, Sheila was incredibly proactive, organized, and helpful throughout the trip. She anticipated needs before they even arose and handled every situation with professionalism and ease. No matter what challenge came up, she was always calm, resourceful, and quick to find a solution. One thing we especially appreciated was how thoughtfully she managed the daily schedule. Sheila consistently got our group to the major sites early enough to avoid the large crowds, which made the experience far more enjoyable and relaxing. Her planning and attention to detail truly set this tour apart. Sheila's positive attitude, dedication, and exceptional leadership made our Ireland trip unforgettable. We would gladly travel with her again and highly recommend her to anyone considering a Gate 1 tour.
Luz B.
Our tour manager, Sheila, was outstanding. Her knowledge of Ireland's history, culture, and customs added so much depth and meaning to the entire experience. Every destination came alive through her stories, insights, and passion for that beautiful country. Beyond her expertise, Sheila was incredibly proactive, organized, and helpful throughout the trip. She anticipated needs before they even arose and handled every situation with professionalism and ease. No matter what challenge came up, she was always calm, resourceful, and quick to find a solution. One thing we especially appreciated was how thoughtfully she managed the daily schedule. Sheila consistently got our group to the major sites early enough to avoid the large crowds, which made the experience far more enjoyable and relaxing. Her planning and attention to detail truly set this tour apart. Sheila's positive attitude, dedication, and exceptional leadership made our Ireland trip unforgettable. We would gladly travel with her again and highly recommend her to anyone considering a Gate 1 tour.
Luz B.
Absolutely wonderful in every way, our tour guide Patrick was full of knowledge, understood American culture and could make many contrasts and comparisons to things in Ireland. I came away with a better understanding of Irish history and culture. Patrick has a wonderful sense of humor and was kind and caring. It is very evident that he loves his job. Our bus driver Keith was also very personable, and we enjoyed talking to him when he wasn't driving! It was my first Gate One tour and it exceeded my expectations. The hotels were fabulous and the itinerary was well planned.
Wendy B.
There are not enough words to express how much we enjoyed and appreciated our tour manager, Matthew! From Day 1, he made himself available in the hotel lobby to answer questions and give suggestions for free time in Edinburgh, and he knew the names of everyone in the group on the first night at the Welcome Dinner. His calm demeanor, sense of humor, and vast knowledge of the area really made the trip for us. The extra surprise stops along the way added so much to the experience. The hunting lodge, the stop near Lord Mountbatten's home, and the sheep dog demonstration were highlights, but all were thoroughly enjoyed! Matthew often purchased little treats for us, explaining their significance, and offering suggestions for gift ideas to take home to friends and family. He made sure that all of our questions were answered, and managed seating on the bus beautifully. Matthew even repaired my suitcase handle that broke as we were leaving home to embark on our journey! I would also like to acknowledge our coach driver, Robbie. His cheerful disposition and willingness to help were a bright spot each day, and he also learned everyone's name. Robbie spent countless hours cleaning and washing the bus, and it was always ready for us each morning. Robbie's driving skills were exceptional as he maneuvered through all circumstances flawlessly. We never had a moment's concern for our safety. This was our first trip with Gate 1, and because of our experience with Matthew and Robbie, we will definitely consider another one. I hope that all tour managers and bus drivers with Gate 1 are as wonderful as Matthew and Robbie!!
Eileen S.
It was amazing. My husband and I thought Ireland was absolutely gorgeous. Our tour guide, Martina, and our bus driver, Damien, were exceptional. Poor, friendly, knowledgeable, and downright funny. They made the experience so much fun.
Tammy F.
I wanted to send a quick note about our trip with Martina and Damien 2 weeks ago. They were both outstanding! I was traveling with my 81-year-old dad, his 79-year-old girlfriend and 30-year-old sister and was a little weary about how we would all enjoy the trip, but Martina immediately made us all feel welcome and knew everyone's name within 10 minutes! It is very evident that Martina loves what she does. She shares her knowledge with the group, not as a lecture, but as a story. She makes sure everyone knows what to do and where to be at each stop and keeps us on time each day with gentle reminders. If we lived closer together, I feel like we'd be meeting for tea soon. She is an absolute star! Damien was a rock star too! His driving was excellent and I enjoyed our quick conversations onboarding and offboarding each day. He's got a great sense of humor and the relationship between Martina and Damien is golden. They make a great team.
Jennifer M.
I just want to commend our tour manager Sheila. It was so much fun to have a Killarney native as our tour guide. She scattered local stories and local customs into the comments on the history of each area, and it really personalized the trip for me. She is delightful.
Debbie R.
Our 6-day trip to Dublin (Independent) was wonderful. Our stay at the Ashling Hotel was GREAT! We had a large room, and the hotel has an excellent staff. Very polite, kind and courteous. The bartenders at the Lobby Bar were FANTASTIC! The Ashling is located close to the Tram and train stop. We would love to go back and can't wait for our upcoming 8-day trip to Prague-Vienna.
Gary B.
I just wanted to give a shout out to our tour guide Damian and our driver Danny. They were both 10++.!!! I can't say enough about both of them. They made our trip fabulous!!
Jolen Z.
We had a great trip! This is my second trip using Gate One and everything was wonderful. The hotels were all at least 4 stars. Every meal was delicious. Our tour guide and bus driver took us to every site early, so we didn't have to wait or deal with crowds. I'm looking forward to going with my husband to Italy in September using Gate One again!
Diane G.
This response is regarding our tour manager, Wesley. Wesley was unfailingly kind, considerate, and professional. He engaged with everyone and made sure that we were having a great experience. He provided so much useful information that I can't remember it all, but every big piece of knowledge he shared enhanced the trip. His stories and obvious love and appreciation of his native country made such a difference in how I saw the country. The fact that we were a small group (only 21 travelers) made it so much better and easier to get into venues that a larger group might not get to experience. The highlight for me was the Irish National Stud, although visiting the women-owned brewery and the Burren Smokehouse were also great experiences. I'd take another Gate 1 Discovery tour in a heartbeat and if Wesley were the tour manager, I'd be even happier to sign on.
Karen P.
It was our 1sr tour with Gate 1. Special THANK YOU to Our tour manager Linda and bus driver Damien. Everything was organized, nice and smooth. Linda is very knowledgeable, organized, friendly and caring person. Everyone loved her. Driver Damien -our Superman. He knows every route to go against traffic; he "feels" the bus- the driving was safe and always on time! It was no stress on our tour. Everyone had such a wonderful vacation. Thank you so much. We are planning to book another tour with GATE 1.
Natalya S.
This was my first tour for not only gate 1 but any tour. I'm so happy that my daughter chose your company and we got Derek as a guide and Andrajz as our driver. Derek was a wonderful mix of interesting info, fun Irish stories and knowing when to give us time to relax. Motels, events, bus, food... it was all wonderful! I'll be back to both Gate 1 and Ireland!
Nancy P.
Thank you so much for reaching out. The trip was absolutely fabulous! The hotels were amazing, the group on the tour were amazing. Cannot say enough about our tour guy, Terry, who is extremely accommodating, courteous, professional And friendly! The same goes for the driver, Tony as well. Also, the car services were prompt and professional as well. I am so looking forward to my next Gate 1 travel experience in June to Scotland.
Brian K.
Ireland Stay & Explore with Dublin & Dingle was perfect for our 23rd Gate 1 trip. Dublin is walkable, with many sites and great restaurants. Dublin at night is a colorful wonderland along the river. But Dingle town stole my heart. It is also walkable, with lovely nearby trails and boating for the active crowd. The optional day trips provide passive scenic stops around the peninsula and beyond. The locals were welcoming and extremely helpful. And, Dingle is a foodie town! A surprise Celtic jam session during dinner was a quintessential Irish experience---- absolutely priceless!!
Marianne V.
I really had a great time on my recent trip. As always, the tour guide made the experience special, and John did a fabulous job. He took notice of our individual interests, played wonderful music, shared insightful podcasts about Irish culture, and was very funny. My husband usually does not enjoy organized tours, but he was very impressed with John's style and attention to detail. We never had to worry about logistics like fuel; we felt that John and Declan always had everything under control. This allowed us to simply enjoy our holiday without any concerns. Thank you again for a fabulous holiday.
Melissa N.
This was a fantastic trip. Mr. Terry was our Tour Manager. Terry was very professional and he was fun to be around and very helpful. I appreciated that he gave us as much time as possible when we visited different sites. I loved his strategy, he would give us the information on the bus and as we're driving up an orientation. This was my second time at Bunratty Castle but my first time having time to explore the grounds without racing around. The local guide did an excellent job. In the castle she took us to the two rooms we could all fit in, gave us a brief history of the castle and orientation of things to see within 20 minutes. It was perfect. The lunch at Dirty Nelly's was excellent. This was my 3rd time at the Cliffs of Moher but my first time having time to visit both sides of the Cliffs, enough time to take in the views without rushing, and visit the shops outside the visitor center. This was my first visit to the Aran Islands. The lunch was fantastic, I enjoyed the tour around the island and again, we had time without having to rush. Finally, I liked that the hotels gave us pertinent information like breakfast schedules, wifi information, and etc in a one pager. I've attached one from the Morgan, but we also got one from the Galway hotel. This saves time, and you have something to refer to. Because Dublin and Galway have so much too offer, I look forward to taking this trip again and will definitely be looking at more "Stay" trips in the future.
Beverly B.
Our trip was EXCELLENT! Our list of activities and places we stopped were varied, educational, engaging and fun! Shiela was a great storyteller and she and Mark had the extra job of navigating the haulers protests and getting us to our destinations! They were awesome.
Leslie E.
The trip was awesome! - Thanks to the Gate1's flawless planning, David's great tour management (and his funny British accent, subtle sense of humor and new words in our vocabularies))), and our fellow travelers - such a great teammates!
Sergey V.
There wasn't a place to let you know how fantastic our tour manager and driver were on our trip last week. Amanda took such good care of all of us. She made sure we all knew what time to meet, how long we had to venture out, what time we'd be leaving and what we'd need for the day. After the first day she wasn't just our tour manager she was part of the family, and we were so fortunate that our group of 20 was the whole tour group. We were so spoiled having her lead us through her beloved country. She is so knowledgeable about Ireland, and you can tell how deeply she loves her country and its history. And what can I say about Justin. What a champ of a driver he is. The roads in Ireland are so small, and he maneuvered those roads like he was the only driver on the road. He was able to get us through crooked streets with other buses coming towards us. I never felt afraid while Justin was driving. He was going to keep us safe no matter what. Here we are on our very last day. Our entire group along with Amanda and Justin. What a week!
Maritza B.
I wanted to let you know how extremely pleased we were with our tour manager, Patrick. He truly made our trip! The four of us together on this tour couldn't have been happier with his expertise. He was fascinating, kind, helpful, and really, really funny. We all loved him! You have a gem in Patrick. I would take this tour again just to have him as our guide. Seriously, though, I wish every tour manager was as fantastic as Patrick was! We also were impressed with the quality of our hotels and their food! Keep it up, Gate1; we'll be with you again soon.
Michelle L.
Hello there - I had a GRAND visit to Ireland. I would rate it a 5 PLUS Tour thanks to our amazing Tour Guide, Martina and our skilled Bus Driver, Andre'. Martina's engaging personality and knowledge of her country made our tour exceptional. And Andre's calm expertise behind the wheel of that tour bus was dazzling. Both Martina and Andre' always met us with smiles and on time! They are both great Ambassadors for Gate 1 and for Ireland, the country that they love so much. I would like to thank them for the privilege of letting us view Ireland through their eyes.
Susan W.
Our tour manager Lenny was the absolute best!! Lenny went above and beyond to provide exceptional service to us. He was very knowledgeable and his friendly demeanor was exceptional!! This was my second trip with Gate 1 and I will be using Gate 1 again. If I could I would definitely travel with Lenny Cooke for all my future destinations!! On a scale from 1 to 10 Lenny is a definite 10+++++. Thank you Lenny for a memorable vacation!!
Deborah S.
My wife and I can't express enough how amazing our trip was from start to finish, and everything in between. Thank you for being such a customer service driven company. Emmaline the tour manager and Kevin the driver were unbelievably great. Every step along the way we felt taken care of! We will tell everyone we know about Gate 1, which is exactly how we heard of Gate 1. Keep up the great customer service. Take care of your amazing tour manager and driver who made our trip a dream vacation. Keep customer service driven and your company will continue to be successful. Thank you again! We can't wait for our next Gate 1 adventure in Italy.
Anthony M.
Our Tour Manager Emmeline was amazing. Her knowledge, energy, humor, friendliness and commitment to our group was extraordinary. She deftly morphed our group of strangers on a family tour within the first few days. We all had a wonderful time together - I only wish she could be cloned and lead ALL my future Gate1 tours everywhere. Our motor coach driver Kevin was phenomenal. He was friendly, courteous, funny, careful, respectful and was truly part of the reason our group bonded so well. The snappy rapport between him and Emmeline was a treat - he wasn't just our driver; he was part of the overall tour experience. I wish Kevin could also be cloned - I would trust and value him on every future Gate 1 tour anywhere.
Melissa P.
I just have to say Shelia is a gem and her " Shelia- isms are wonderful and very funny! We had a great week with her guidance everyday from the time table to the itinerary to the great restaurants to try during all our free times! Our driver Fergal was so amazing and kind and very steady and fearless on the windy, narrow roads in the chilly rainy windy weather! My husband and I and our friends felt very safe and supported and entertained in their hands! We really would love to return to Ireland and have Shelia and Fergal take us around to the other side of the Island so we can see all the other beautiful places in the Republic of Ireland! It's so sad to think we can't request Shelia but we understand it would be too hard to promise us a Shelia Fergal tour!!! Thank you for a great taste of Ireland, we hope to be back soon!
Kathleen W.
Our first Gate1 travel tour, the 8 Day Affordable Irish Highlights, was absolutely fantastic and beyond words. Much of the credit goes to our wonderful group and especially our guide, Colm. He is incredibly knowledgeable, witty, and caring, ensuring everyone felt special and the group mingled beautifully. Colm also provided excellent recommendations for local dining and shopping. With great hotels, seamless arrangements, and a perfect balance of group activities and solo exploration, this tour exceeded all expectations. I look forward to more Gate1 tours and hope to have guides as exceptional as Colm and drivers like Andrea. Thank you!
Parama C.
Our trip was awesome...we had good weather, everything was right on schedule, food was great and we saw a lot of Ireland and learned so much an out its history. This was possible because of our super tour guide Lenny and a great bus driver, Tony. Lenny went out of his way to make each person feel special. He brought the group together so well. He was patient and funny and made sure every detail was covered. He was so knowledgeable and gave the best suggestions for restaurants, extra places to visit, church and music venues. I am recommending Gate One to all my friends. Looking forward to another trip.
Patricia Z.
This was the perfect trip. Our Guide, John was excellent. He knew his stuff and if he couldn't answer a question, he followed up with it. His explanations of the history of our stops was phenomenal. He bent over backwards to ensure we were all taken care of and enjoying ourselves. Our driver, Jim was also excellent. I've worked with bus drivers in the past but none have measured up to Jim. Not only were his driving skills fantastic, but his joyful personality was very much appreciated. This is my 3rd or 4th tour with Gate 1 and I will continue to use you and recommend you to my family and friends. Thank you so much for a wonderful adventure!
Jane T.




