Meet your guide – Liam McCauley

I’m Liam — a native of Donegal, a fully accredited national tour guide, and the person behind Irish Guided Tours.

I’ve been designing and leading private tours around Ireland since 2010, but the seeds of this journey were planted much earlier.

Like many Irish families, we’ve relatives scattered across the UK, the U.S., and Canada. From a young age, I was the one showing them around when they visited — sharing the places, stories, and hidden corners that made our part of Ireland special.

That instinct for hosting, and my love of the land, eventually grew into something more.

Before launching Irish Guided Tours, I spent time working on Dublin’s Hop-on Hop-off tours — a fast-paced, fun learning ground where I developed my skills and earned my professional qualifications. But guiding isn’t just about knowledge — it’s about connection. That’s what I value most.

I grew up on a small farm in Donegal, where community life, music, and storytelling were part of the rhythm of the day. Those early experiences — evenings in rambling houses, singing in local choirs, taking part in the Féis — gave me an appreciation for the rich cultural layers that shape this country. And they taught me that every place has a story, and every story has a person behind it.

When I’m not guiding, you’ll find me hillwalking, angling, or out with my camera. But the greatest reward of this work is meeting people from around the world and helping them uncover their own connection to Ireland — whether it’s through a family story, a quiet moment in nature, or an unexpected detour that turns into the highlight of their trip.

Wherever you’re coming from, I’d be delighted to help you discover Ireland in a way that’s meaningful to you.