Haunted history, cool filming locations and wind-swept coastlines harbouring a bounty of natural produce. Our witty and enthusiastic tour guides invite you to look beyond the ordinary with their off-the-beaten track adventures…

Ghostly wanders in Dublin

Fancy a tour with a paranormal twist? You can get the lowdown on Dublin’s ghoulish past with a Haunted History Ghost Tour by Andrew from Hidden Dublin Tours. Beginning at the 18th century City Hall, Andrew's goosebump-raising tour whisks you through some of the city’s most gruesome history. 

It takes in the notorious 18^th century Hellfire Club, whose members dabbled in black magic, the grisly executions in Dublin Castle, as well as the burning of accused witch, Darkey Kelly, whose ghost is said to wander along the Forty Steps on Castle Street, leading to the gates of ‘Hell’ near St Audoen’s Church. Expect to be thrilled with spine-chilling stories and eerie events all the way.

Forage for food on the Wild Atlantic Way

Wave-lashed beaches, traditional blacksmiths forges and rust-coloured bogs that hold the key to Ireland’s past – when it comes to uncovering the culture, history and heritage on the Wild Atlantic Way, then Denis Quinn’s Wild Atlantic Cultural Tours is a great place to start. 

His Wild Food Foraging Tour offers the best of both the culinary and scenic worlds. Scramble around the crystal clear rock pools and soft sands of County Mayo’s beaches collecting cockles, mussels and winkles, or spend an afternoon hunting for glistening seaweed varieties, including dillisk, carrageenan and nori. After foraging for a while, Denis will then show you how to feast out in the open, too. Then you simply tuck in, while gazing to sea at the seals basking in the sun along Ireland's stunning Wild Atlantic Way.

Westeros gets real

Want to know what it’s REALLY like being in Game of Thrones®? The excitement of visiting the filming locations of the hit HBO series revs up a notch or two when you’re being shown around by a tour guide who’s rubbed shoulders with the cast. Based in County Antrim, Flip Robinson operates Giant Tours Ireland and he was a stand-in for Hodor in Season Six, when the much-loved character met his tragic demise.

Complete with anecdotes from the set, Flip’s tour includes locations such as Fair Head (Dragonstone) and Murlough Bay, the backdrop to Slaver’s Bay where Tyrion and Ser Jorah are discovered by a slave ship and captured. Fantastical fun is an understatement when you discover these landscapes with Flip.

Explore the icons and hidden gems of Ireland’s Ancient East

As time travelling hasn’t been invented yet, the next best thing is to explore Ireland’s Ancient East with Driftwood 6 Day Ancient Ireland Tour in the company of entertaining guide and driver, Nick, from Vagabond Tours. Nick will ensure you leave no weathered stone unturned, come iconic landmark or hidden gem – and the stories that unfold on the way.

From Dublin, Nick will take you and 16 companions to many of the big hitters of Ireland’s Ancient East, including the monastic site of Glendalough, the medieval city of Kilkenny and the picturesque towns of Ballycotton and Kinsale in County Cork. But it’s those secret spots, such as the ancient Rathgall Hillfort in County Wicklow, the beautiful Ros Tapestry and the haunted Loftus Hall that makes Nick’s tour so special and the stories you return home with ever more memorable.