At Brack Tours we believe in supporting the local culture and historic heritage of the destinations in which we travel, so we decided to create our “Meet The Locals” page.
With this in mind one of our key experiences that we try to incorporate within our tours, are walking and hiking tours as there is no better way to meet the locals.
These tours are based in the destinations we travel to and our guided by the locals who know the history and stories of the area.
This helps to sustain the history of the area and to in-part local knowledge to our clients.
On this page we have included some of our preferred specialist guides. These guided tours can all be included in any tour for groups, families and students.
We believe that these tours help keep Brack Tours green and will provide an experience that our clients will never forget.
Armagh has been the spiritual capital of Ireland for 1500 years and the seat of both Protestant and Catholic archbishops. It is the most venerated of Irish cities. St. Patrick called it ‘my sweet hill’ and built his stone church on the hill where the Anglican cathedral now stands. Peter Makem’s poetic storytelling and knowledge helps you to envision the ancient and spiritual history of Armagh. Peter will guide your group to the Navan Centre & Fort, while incorporating a panoramic city tour of Armagh, with visits to the St Patrick’s Cathedral’s (church of Ireland/Catholic Cathedral).
A family man who boasts an impressive knowledge – local, national and international – Ronan is a natural storyteller and breathes life into each and every word. Born of Buddhist and Irish extraction his uniqueness lies in his cultural mix and his great Irish accent. Ronan and his team will bring you on a tour to remember. The tours will catapult you into a world steeped in Irish history; inspiring you with tales and anecdotes about our roots and what makes us such unique people.
Pat Tynan BA H Dip Ed commenced his Medieval Walking Tours of Kilkenny in 1983. He has been involved in the tourism industry in Kilkenny for nearly thirty years. The Medieval Walking Tours have been based at the Shee Alms House, Kilkenny Tourist Office since 1983. In 1985 the Medieval Walking Tours was officially recognised as the official city tour by the city authorities.
Dermot Ryan, guiding in Kinsale for over forty years, is founder, secretary and editor of the Kinsale History Society which works to preserve the heritage of this historic town. He has also lead visits to the major heritage sites in Ireland and lectured on Kinsale and Irish history in the U.S. and the U.K. He is also Secretary of the Irish Federation of History Societies, and has organised their visits to Rome and other centres and is a regular contributor to local and national press He is an approved Failte Ireland Guide, a member of the Association of Approved Guides in Ireland, a member of the Heritage in Schools Scheme and the Kinsale Chamber of Tourism.
The Psychic Ghost Walk , an unrivaled tour of Old Newry with spine-tingling and grisly tales of witchcraft, torture and restless spirits. These tours have exclusive access to Hangman’s Hill and the haunted and atmospheric tunnels beneath the city streets. This is not for the faint hearted…You are warned..! Newry City Tours are also apart of the green tourism scheme and received a Silver Award.
Jack Burtchaell studied Archaeology, History and Geography at University College Dublin and graduated in 1982 with a First Class Honours Degree. After winning a post graduate scholarship he continued in U.C.D. in the Geography Department specialising in the field of Historical Geography. Further research work followed at the Institute of Irish Studies at Queen’s University Belfast. While teaching field studies to undergraduates his interest in heritage tourism developed, and ever since he has combined tourism and active historical research.
Westport Walking Tour was set up by Stephen Clarke, who’s father, grand-father and great-grandfather all came from Westport. Having spent many summers around Westport and the Quay area as a child, Stephen fell in love with Westport from an early age. Now married and the father of 2 young children himself, he realizes the costs of holidaying for families. Having holidayed in Ireland for the last few years, Stephen realized the importance of value for money for young families on holiday. Having visited many Irish towns and cities over the years Stephen firmly believed that his home county of Mayo, and Westport in particular was as beautiful as anywhere in the world, and should be advertised as such.
We offer a full programme of day tours. Each tour covers a broad range of interests such as an introduction to a working farm where you learn of old and new practices. Irish history, the archaeology of the Burren, mythology, the Burren’s unique botany, storytelling, folklore & folk traditions, Poteen distilling and much more.
Tony Kirby was born in Limerick city. He has also lived in Dublin and Bologna in the north of Italy. He conducted guided walking tours in Dublin in the late 1990s. In 2002 Tony moved to the Burren in County Clare where he founded a small walking tourism enterprise which offers a wide variety of guided Burren walks. Tony also works as a heritage education specialist conducting Burren classroom workshops and field trips for primary school pupils.
After a successful career in education, Brigid became a qualified tour guide and in 2017 set up her own business, Ards Peninsula Tours. Offering guided coach tours and walks in beautiful County Down less than one hour from Belfast. Brigid’s extensive experience as an educator and communicator of knowledge allied to her expert knowledge of landscapes will guarantee a truly unique experience for visitors covering a wide range of topics from smuggling to saints!
I am an old-fashioned storyteller a “seanachai” and I have been a tour guide for 5 years. I Guide along the Causeway Coastal Route from Belfast to Donegal and I specialise in this area because it is my home. It has a rich social, economic and cultural history and right here you will find Celts and Gaels and Ulster Scots, an eclectic mix of languages, traditions and cultures to immerse yourself in.
