Helping people to plan their trip to Ireland is so rewarding. I enjoy every aspect of the process and the excitement is infectious when somebody books their trip of a lifetime. I am hugely proud of my Country and heritage and feel that I have finally found my calling working with Irish Essence Tours after years of working in mundane jobs.

 
What’s not to love about our Country? The wonderful landscapes, welcoming people, fantastic food and the craic is always mighty! I’ve travelled the Country extensively over the years and it’s too hard to pick a favourite place but choices for the top contenders would be Kilkenny, Kinsale in Cork, Sneem in Kerry and Connemara in Galway.

Growing up, we were always expected to ‘do the turf’ on the bog during the summer months. First, each sod of turf had to be turned to ensure the sun and wind could help in the drying process. The turf was then placed upright or ‘footed’ for further drying. Footing the turf was a back-breaking job and involved placing five or six sods of turf upright and leaning against each other. Finally, the turf was brought home with a tractor and trailer and was stored in the shed until it was needed. Almost any Irish person who grew up in the Countryside will remember having to ‘do the turf.’ There is a long running joke in Ireland about enjoying a ‘hang sangidge and a flask ‘a’ tae’ (ham sandwich and flask of tea) on the bog when you were young!