About Us | Desmond Tours

The team that makes it all happen

We’re on your team - creating your individual Ireland Tour - Your tour, your way!

At Desmond Tours, we don’t just show you Ireland – we ensure you are immersed in Ireland’s rich history and culture.

Our private tours are designed to bring you up close and personal with the heart of Ireland – its stories, landscapes, traditions, and warm-hearted people.

Travel with one of our experienced driver-guides, as their passion for storytelling, history, and Irish culture brings each individual journey to life. With a touch of Irish wit and a wealth of local knowledge, they reveal the rich tapestry of Ireland’s past and present – from ancient ruins to living traditions.

As you travel in comfort through lush Irish countryside and along dramatic coastlines, your guide will make considered stops – not just to see the sights, but to help you experience the authentic culture of Ireland .

Enjoy a fireside chat in a family-run pub, explore centuries-old castles, walk sacred monastic sites, or visit artisan workshops.

Many of these ‘hidden gems’ aren’t on your itinerary – but that’s the magic of a Desmond Tours journey.

Whether you’re drawn to Irish history, genealogy, Celtic folklore, music, food, sports or architecture, we craft each experience around your interests.

Choose from one of our trusted tour itineraries or let us tailor a fully customized adventure built around your ‘Ireland Bucket List.’

Let us handle the planning, guiding, and driving. All you need to do is relax – and discover Ireland, in a deeply meaningful way.

Set up a free, no obligation call to meet your driver-guide online and start planning your adventure!

Meet Desmond Phelan -
Desmond Tours Founder & Lead Driver-Guide

Hailing from County Kilkenny in the Southeast of Ireland, Desmond is the heart behind Desmond Tours. A seasoned and approved Irish Tourism Board guide, he brings decades of guiding and driving experience, a deep love of Irish history, and a warm, witty personality to every tour.

Having previously lived along the Wild Atlantic Way, Desmond knows its rugged beauty intimately – but his heart remains in the lesser-explored South East, where he delights in sharing the secrets of Ireland’s Ancient East.

Professional, personable, and passionate about authentic Irish culture, Desmond is known for going beyond the guidebooks – uncovering hidden gems and creating unforgettable experiences for every guest.

Driver-guides like Desmond don’t just drive, that’s just a fraction of what they truly do. They spend entire days in close company with their guests, navigating not just the roads, but the personalities, family dynamics, and shifting needs of a small group.

Desmond has a natural ability to read the room (or bus!) and adapt instantly, whether it’s changing the pace of the day, sharing just the right story, or sensing when it’s time for a quiet scenic stop.

Here’s what previous tour guests have said about touring with Desmond:

’Second time with Desmond Tours and safe to say he remains the best guide in all of Ireland. His trips are packed with history, stories of the land and the Irish people, and the occasional stop at a hidden gem or two. Desmond took into account our likes, dislikes, ages of those on the trip and made it fun & enjoyable for all. He looked at the weather and adjusted our itinerary to make the most of each day.’

'Desmond became part of our family on the first day. He took such good care of us and made our trip 100% stress free! We laughed a lot, learned a lot, ate great food and fell in love with Ireland. Thank you Des and Luisa for being so helpful in the planning process. Des, you enhanced our lives during those 9 days, we are thankful for having met you.'

'The best in Ireland! Gave us the trip of a lifetime. Great humor, unmatched knowledge and stories of every town or landmark we went to/passed by. Crafted a trip to meet the needs of all involved.'

'Desmond was awesome! He was attentive to all of our needs, very knowledgeable and just a joy to have around. Would not hesitate to use him again in the future or recommend for all of your Ireland tour needs'

'My family just returned from a ten day trip to Ireland, and we highly recommend Desmond Tours. Desmond was a wonderful guide and he made our first trip to Ireland memorable in every way. He was knowledgeable, attentive to every detail, punctual, and an absolute delight to travel with.'

'Our group of 3 couples had a wonderful 3 days touring with Desmond in Dublin and the surrounding countryside. He created a fun atmosphere from the first hello when greeting us at the airport. Our 3 days were filled with beautiful scenery, lots of history, jovial conversation, great stories, and now great memories.'

'Desmond was fantastic!! He guided our group to the most beautiful places sharing such detailed information about everything along the way. He was our strength during a difficult time when the world was coming to a halt. So thankful for his guidance and support. We will never forget our trip with Desmond.'

'Not only is Desmond a top notch professional, he is dashing and witty! Within a day it was like having a friend show you around their country. And we felt quite confident and safe while in his care. If Des is not available on my next trip to Ireland, I’ll pass.'

'Des made our trip an efficient, exciting and fun adventure so we could see it all! Traveling in a spacious and comfy Mercedes coach was great! Des got us into places most tours can’t go and the fun nightspots he recommended were fantastic! Slainte!'

'Our friend group spent 6 days with Desmond touring the magnificent country of Ireland. This was the first time we had used a touring company for any of our travels together, and there had been concern we might be too tied to a schedule or spend excessive hours in a bus. The worry was for nothing!'

'Desmond Tours is THE way to see Ireland!! Desmond has the best recommendations for places to eat, places to see, and amazing stories along the way. He creates a really fun & welcoming environment. HIGHLY recommend!'

Meet Dr Luisa Golz -
Transport Manager and Expert Tour Planner

With over 15 years of experience in the Irish travel industry, Luisa is the strategic master mind behind the scenes at Desmond Tours. As our Transport Manager and Expert Tour Planner, Luisa makes sure every tour runs smoothly – from the first email to the final farewell.

Her passion lies in crafting seamless, personalised itineraries that reflect each guest’s unique interests, while her deep knowledge of Ireland ensures every journey is filled with rich experiences, meaningful connections, and just the right balance of relaxation and adventure.

Luisa combines a love of detail with a deep understanding of what makes a truly memorable trip. Whether she’s booking luxury accommodations, fine-tuning routes, or recommending the perfect pub for live trad music, she does it all with much care, precision, and a friendly touch.

Still need convincing that Luisa is the right person to craft your perfect Irish adventure? With a PhD in Irish Tourism and with several academic publications, Luisa brings a depth of knowledge rarely found in the professional touring world. To our knowledge, Luisa is likely the only tour operator in Ireland with ‘Dr’ in front of her name. She uses that expertise every day to design thoughtful, enriching experiences that go far beyond the standard itinerary.

Guests often mention Luisa in their reviews:

‘From start to finish, Luisa was responsive, thoughtful and always one step ahead. Planning was a breeze with her guidance.’

'We also loved working with Luisa who was so helpful in all our planning of the trip. She made it so easy! We highly recommend using Desmond Tours!'

‘Luisa was amazing to work with. She took our ideas and turned them into a perfect, personalised itinerary - and even made restaurant reservations for us!’

‘Luisa and Desmond make an unbeatable team - professional, kind, and truly passionate about sharing the best of Ireland.’

'With the help of Des and Luisa we were able to relax enjoy the scenery and most of all enjoy our family time together with no stress!!'

'A fantastic tour to Croke Park in Dublin. Luisa & Des looked after us so well.'

Meet Holly - Top Dog and Desmond Tours Wellbeing Consultant

Holly had been part of the Desmond Tours family since day one – a loyal Irish sheepdog with a big heart. Born and bred in the Irish countryside, she was the four-legged spirit of our tours and always kept a close eye on everything in her favourite spot, just outside the office door.

Holly excelled at morale-boosting, mood-lifting, and welcoming guests with a gentle wag of her tail. She was also an expert at sniffing out scenic walking trails, and her all-time favourite spot was the Discovery Park of Castlecomer, close to where she grew up.

She may not have joined many tours (we asked – but she preferred napping to navigating), yet rest assured, every itinerary was Holly-approved.

Her favourite pastimes included countryside strolls, belly rubs, and supervising Desmond’s storytelling with a very patient gaze. In March 2025, Holly sadly passed away, but she’s very much still with us in spirit – in every warm welcome we extend to our guests.