Barry Hopkins - Irish Tour Guide

17/12/2021

This performance was recorded on March 6, 2020. We will continue releasing Tiny Desk videos of shows that had already been taped. In light of current events,...

21/09/2021

Ah what a week, I got to show this group around ireland and what an adventure it was. Really great to be back on the road :-)

30/08/2021

Flashback to when I was doing Food Tours in the city of the tribes, Galway Can't wait to get back soon :-)

30/08/2021

With covid restrictions limiting international travel for the last year, Van Life has become the new normal for a lot of people. What's better is people are recording and sharing their travels.Here's a great episode exploring Co Mayo and the north western coast of eire, where I'm from. Hon Mayo! :-)

https://youtu.be/h5JQgPk3IOU

This week we’re exploring County Mayo, where we meet up with Alice’s Mum and Dad in their motorhome. We explore the Mullet Peninsular and Achill Island, resc...

29/08/2021

Did you know that Muhammad Alis roots were Irish? From Co Clare! Incredible.

https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/muhammad-ali-irish-roots

The Louisville Lip was incredibly proud of his County Clare, today we recall the man's star quality and his Irish ancestry. The death of boxing legend Muhammad Ali at 74 in June 2016, from Parkinson’s, would have brought back many glorious memories of the greatest athlete of our times.

26/08/2021

This is an absolute must if your visiting ireland...or if just want to make friends anywhere in the world.lol :-)

24/08/2021

I wanna take you to the iiiiiisland!!clare island to be precise! Its another west of Ireland Gem. Its only a 15ish minute ferry from Roonagh Quay,Louisburgh, Co mayo. Famous for being a stronghold of the notorious pirate queen, Grace O Malley, who in the 1500's prowled the clew bay and western coast. It also boasts and cistercian abbey, and a beautiful renovated lighthouse overlooking dramatic cliffs. Bnbs galore and a campsite too!
I'd highly recommend a day trip here,we rented bikes and explored it that way,then took a dip in the beach next to the pier...must have a cheeky pint in the community hall pub/restaurant next time!

19/08/2021

Heres a stunning scenic drive in County Mayo for you. Doolough Valley. Whats even better is that you can relax and soak in the scenery, while sipping on a coffee from the Delphi Silver Food Truck, which has been an oasis to visitors for the past year. Winning!
A short drive from Leenane. Doolough valley is famous for its picturesque setting and also it's famine history.
Definitely worth a day trip :-)

15/08/2021

Always be learning as a guide! I love travelling through this beautiful country and there's always more to learn. I decided to hop on a bus
through kylemore abbey, Killary Fjiord and connemara today.Definitely recommend. stunning scenery :-)

10/08/2021

I had a fantastic trip with my sisters to the Aran Islands off the west coast, last weekend. Inismor to be precise.A bumpy ferry over from Rossaveel but it was all worth it for the views and the surprising Sunday sunshine.
*note to future travellers....always sit at the back and centre of the ferry over, theres less movement and less likelihood of you throwing up your lovely Irish breakfast.trust me!

I managed to to book accommodation at Dormer House B&B, a lovely place near the Pier. Apparently the weather had brought about cancellations so I was delighted.

They say "there is no bad weather only unsuitable clothing". So we packed accordingly. We explored the southern part of the Island on Saturday,saw the 7th century church St Benans atop a hill which overlooks Cill Einne Bay.
The "Puffing Holes" where the wild Atlantic smashes through the rocks and finally dinner at Joe Wattys Pub

On sunday, after some early morning fishing, I joined the group around 11 for a tour of Aran with "Aran Off Road Experience"

I would highly recommend " Aran Off Road Experience" to see the beautiful sights of Inismore
The tours are run by two local brothers who really give a personal and engaging tour of this incredible island,with plenty of humour and stories thrown in.
We had paddy, an attentive,knowledgeable and friendly guide who made us feel at ease.
He brought us down the back roads of the island to awesome sights like "the serpents lair", or locally known as "Poll na peist" and "Dun aenghus fort", all the while threading history with colorful anecdotes about life on the Aran Islands. We also saw the built cottage set featured in the new martin mcdonagh movie,"The Banshees of Inisheer" starring Colin farrell.
*To my sisters disappointment, Colin was nowhere to be seen...just some friendly sheep and donkeys.

The tour costs 40 euros for 4 hours and its money well spent.
So, next time you go to Inismore, give em a call.
Really looking forward to returning and exploring these incredible Islands again soon.

06/08/2021

Here's a snap of myself and a group at the
cocktail bar in Chelsea, London. A hidden speakeasy themed bar in London town. Really great place to a memorable adventure.

03/08/2021

So many great memories from last year's holiday to Greece. It has everything, incredible weather, dramatic coastlines to explore, stunning landscapes and of course,the incredible architecture,history and myths.
It's a magical feeling standing in the area where the actual practice of democracy took its first flight...or standing at the entrance to the legendary Delphi temple,where thousands of wanderers walked before you,giving their gifts to the Oracle in hopes of receiving answers to their questions.Its living history.
The company I work for run tours throughout this lovely land, maybe il run tours there one day.For now, I look forward to revisiting this year for holiday!

02/08/2021

Its customary to make a pilgrimage to Irelands Holy mountain, Croagh Patrick, on the last sunday of August,or "Reek Sunday". It ties in with older celtic/pagan harvest traditions at the time of Lughnasa.This was taken across the bay at Oldhead, Co Mayo.

01/08/2021

Today marks an important date on the celtic calendar. "Lughnasa".
Here's a great article on this special irish celebration.

https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/food-drink/celtic-festival-lughnasa-recipe-traditions

Lughnasa is one of the four great fire festivals of the Celtic year, celebrated with plenty of special Lughnasa recipes, rituals, traditions and symbols. As the exact Lughnasa date may fall anytime between August 1 and August 12, IrishCentral has your definitive guide for all the best ways to celebr...

31/07/2021

Aaaaaw such great memories from tour 😍 we dropped out to Glendalough in co wicklow for the day. What an awesome group :-) can't wait to get back to it.

30/07/2021

Achill Island lies off County Mayo on the west coast of the Republic of Ireland. 2 hrs drive from Galway. Marked by rugged mountains and peat bogs, the island is known for its tall sea cliffs and clean beaches. Its breezy shoreline makes it a popular spot for water sports. The strand (beach) at Keem Bay inspired visiting writers Heinrich Böll and Graham Greene. Keel, the island's main village, has a sandy surf beach which is spectacular.

28/07/2021

I had to include my jump at Forty Foot into the Irish seas...twas a moment to remember 😅

28/07/2021

Looking for a mini adventure whilst visiting Dublin?don't want to spend much money? take a train ride from tara st station 20 or 30 mins to glasthule/sandycove in the south, it's here the "40 foot" awaits. Its a dublin institution to swim here. This bathing area that has been used for generations by locals.
The martello tower which stands near it is the location, James Joyces starts his epic "Ulysses".

27/07/2021

is a cracker of a museum full of humour and nostalgia.just off st Stephen green, well worth a visit.ticket price includes a treasure hunt in Stephen green and entry to Joyce museum.

27/07/2021

Wild camping on the Wild Atlantic Way, in the Irish sunshine.Silverstrand is a short drive from Louis burgh in south Mayo. During the heatwave it was like the Mediterranean.

27/07/2021

Aashleagh falls flow between the border of county Mayo and Galway,near Leenane http://village.it was one of the locations used in the Irish movie "The Field" and is part of the stunning Wild Atlantic Way.

19/07/2021

And it was all Yellow!
Finally received my official Regional Tour Guide Badge today....Delighted! :-)

17/07/2021

https://twitter.com/westernwaytours/status/1416518993691688960?s=20

“Heaven is...taking a refreshing dip at the Forty Foot at Sandycove,Dublin after a long hot day in the city and a priceless sunset. isultimate ”

17/07/2021

https://twitter.com/westernwaytours/status/1416412529765588996?s=20

“ holds some of the most spectacular and well known Irish treasures, from the cross of cong to broighter golden hoard. This is a must see if you want to fully grasp Irish culture and art. 10/10 ”

16/07/2021

https://twitter.com/westernwaytours/status/1416046318988972033?s=20

“Christchurch cathedral, in Dublins city centre, is nearly 1000 years old!a stunning example of gothic and romanesque architecture, definitely worth a look on your visit to Dublin. # Ireland ”

16/07/2021

https://twitter.com/westernwaytours/status/1416054569142992897?s=20

“ is just 5 miles northwest of Cork in the south of ireland. Famed worldwide for the mystical Blarney Stone,which grants eloquence of speech to whomever kisses it. ”

07/07/2021

As a tour director for EF Ultimate Break, this landmark site in Dublin city, is just one stop on my itinerary around Ireland. The home of Guinness! It's a really peculiar but pleasant experience to visit here when it's not jam packed. Unfortunately there was no Guinness tasting this time due to restrictions but it's only a matter of time before I'll be able to nurse a cool pint of plain, at the Gravity Bar #

26/06/2021

I highly recommend visiting the book of Kells at Trinity College when in Dublin. Just incredible. You get a glimpse at one of the most important artistic books of the medieval world. One of the most beautiful libraries in the world from 1700's,then see an original copy of proclamation of our independence from 1916 AND the finely decorated Brian Boru Harp from 1400's? All hugely symbolic of our national history. 10/10