Quick answer: My Ireland Adventure offers small-group and customised tours for travellers who want help planning an Irish holiday. Laurie Calahan and Joe Ormonde combine itinerary planning with guided travel, allowing visitors to explore Ireland without organising every detail themselves.
Ireland can be surprisingly difficult to fit into a single holiday. A few days in Dublin, a drive along the west coast, historic castles and an evening listening to traditional music can quickly become a crowded itinerary.
The challenge is deciding what to leave out—and how to enjoy the places you visit without spending most of the trip travelling between them.
My Ireland Adventure offers an organised approach through small-group journeys and custom itineraries. For visitors who would rather have support with planning and logistics, the company provides a starting point for building a more manageable holiday.
Meet Laurie Calahan and Joe Ormonde
The company’s own introduction describes two complementary roles. Joe Ormonde, an Irish photographer and guide, leads visitors through the sights, while Laurie Calahan manages day-to-day logistics. Their approach combines guided sightseeing with the practical organisation needed to keep a trip running smoothly.
That division can be useful for travellers who want to enjoy a destination without repeatedly checking directions, rearranging bookings or deciding where to go next.
However, a personalised holiday begins before arrival. Travellers should explain their interests, preferred pace and any practical requirements early, so the proposed itinerary reflects the people taking the trip.
What Makes a Personalised Ireland Tour Different?
A standard itinerary gives visitors a ready-made route. A personalised tour starts with a discussion about what they want from the holiday.
For one group, that might mean historic buildings and time in smaller towns. Another may prefer coastal scenery, photography or a balance between sightseeing and relaxed afternoons.
Personalisation should also address practical details:
-
How much driving feels comfortable each day.
-
Whether frequent hotel changes are welcome.
-
How much walking the group wants to do.
-
Whether anyone needs step-free access or additional rest stops.
-
Which attractions are essential and which are optional.
My Ireland Adventure’s website lists both organised itineraries and custom tours. Travellers should contact the company directly to confirm current options, availability and what can be adapted.
Exploring Beyond a List of Famous Attractions
Ireland’s best-known sights can provide a useful framework for a holiday, but the experience between them matters too.
A route that allows time for lunch, a short walk or an unhurried stop in a town can feel more rewarding than one built entirely around arrival times.
The company’s published 12-day itinerary illustrates a journey combining places such as Dingle, the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Connemara, Cong and Westport. These are examples from an advertised route, rather than a promise that every departure or custom tour follows the same programme.
Before booking, ask for a written outline showing overnight locations, expected travel time and the main visits each day. That makes it easier to judge whether the itinerary offers enough time in the places that interest you most.
Film Locations Can Add Another Interest to the Journey
For film enthusiasts, a familiar location can give a trip an extra point of connection.
My Ireland Adventure’s published itinerary includes Cong, associated with The Quiet Man, and Trim, where scenes for Braveheart were filmed.
If a particular filming location is important to your holiday, mention it during planning. Ask whether it fits the route, whether admission is required and how much time is allowed there.
It is also worth distinguishing between visiting an actual filming location and attending a separate studio or visitor experience. These can involve different travel arrangements and bookings.
Choosing a few meaningful stops is usually more practical than trying to build one trip around every film or television location on the island.
Making Time for Dublin Before or After the Tour
Travellers may want independent time in Dublin before joining a group or after completing a longer journey.
An additional night can provide breathing space around an international arrival, although the best arrangement depends on flight times and the tour’s starting point. Confirm meeting locations and transfer arrangements before booking accommodation separately.
Our practical guide to a Dublin weekend break covers choosing a base, organising transfers and planning a manageable stay.
For visitors keeping an afternoon flexible, Lost Society’s guide to things to do in Dublin when it rains offers ideas for time in the city between other commitments.
What to Confirm Before Booking
Having an itinerary organised for you can reduce planning work, but it is still important to understand the booking.
Ask the company to confirm:
-
Accommodation: Which properties or room categories are included?
-
Transport: What vehicle is used, and how much luggage can it carry?
-
Meals: Which meals are included and which are paid for separately?
-
Attractions: Are entry fees and advance reservations covered?
-
Transfers: Are airport collections and departures included?
-
Group size: How many people will travel together?
-
Changes: What happens if weather or closures affect the route?
-
Payment terms: What are the deposit, cancellation and refund conditions?
Do not assume that “customised” or “organised” means every expense is included. A clear written quotation helps travellers compare the full holiday cost and avoid misunderstandings.
Flights, travel insurance and personal spending should also be discussed when establishing the overall budget.
Choosing a Comfortable Travel Pace
An enjoyable itinerary needs to account for more than the distance between towns.
Walking, sightseeing, meals, luggage handling and checking into accommodation all take time. A day that looks short on a map can still feel busy once those activities are included.
Be honest about your preferred pace. Some travellers enjoy early departures and full days; others would rather see fewer places and stay longer in each.
Anyone with mobility requirements should ask specific questions about walking surfaces, steps, vehicle access and accommodation. General descriptions such as “easy walking” may mean different things to different people.
The same applies to dietary needs. Sharing them in advance gives the organiser time to explain what can reasonably be arranged.
How to Start Planning Your Irish Holiday
Begin with a short list of priorities rather than a complete route. Include your travel dates, approximate budget, group size and the experiences that matter most.
Then separate essential visits from optional ones. This gives the organiser room to suggest a route that works geographically without losing the purpose of the trip.
Visit the official My Ireland Adventure website to explore its advertised tours and enquire about a customised itinerary. Confirm current departure dates, prices and inclusions directly before making travel arrangements.
For more travel ideas and stories from around the country, explore Lost Society.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is My Ireland Adventure?
My Ireland Adventure is a tour business offering small-group journeys and customised itineraries in Ireland, associated with Laurie Calahan and Joe Ormonde.
Can I request a personalised tour?
The company advertises custom tours. Contact it with your dates, group size, interests and practical requirements to discuss a suitable itinerary.
Which destinations can a tour include?
Published itineraries feature destinations including Dingle, Galway, Connemara and Westport. The actual route depends on the tour selected and any agreed custom arrangements.
Can film locations be included?
The company’s published itinerary includes Cong and Trim. Ask directly about any particular filming location you would like to visit.
Are flights and all holiday expenses included?
Do not assume they are. Request written confirmation of transport, accommodation, meals, attraction fees, flights and other expenses before booking.
Where can I find current tour dates and prices?
Check the company’s official website and contact it directly. Older articles and previously advertised departures should not be treated as current availability.