Want to know the real Ireland?
Cosmos & Globus pride themselves on being the experts in Escorted Tours and believe that the best way to fully experience a destination is to travel with someone who knows it inside out. They’ve teamed up with Tourism Ireland to bring travellers added inspiration when planning their next Irish escape. This is what Cosmos tour director Will Collins has to say about travelling through his homeland.
Go beyond Temple Bar
Globus Tour Director Will Collins first began leading tours in the late 1980s, ‘when tourism was almost an exotic word in Ireland’. He leads a range of Cosmos and Globus tours around the Emerald Isle, bringing his home country to life with local knowledge, historical facts and plenty of trademark Irish wit – because ‘as you probably know, we Irish never let the truth get in the way of a good story!’
Dramatic sunset at the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland
What is it that draws people to Ireland?
Where do I begin? Is it the people, the landscape or possibly the Guinness? From my experience of working with people from all over the English-speaking world, the feedback I get is, overwhelmingly, the people. The Irish landscape comes a close second.
Irish people have an inherent ability to charm and express genuine warmth towards visitors. We take great pride in showing off our pristine landscape, which is both breath-taking and romantic. Ireland brings out the best in people, we have the ability to laugh at ourselves and find the relief that laughter can bring in even the most adverse situations. We just don’t take ourselves too seriously.
What do people get from an escorted tour that they couldn’t get travelling alone?
You don’t have to think or worry about a thing! Everything is taken care of, from your hotel accommodation to site visits and itinerary. And what the uninitiated often don’t realise is that the Tour Director brings his or her vast expertise to the experience. Whether it’s making suggestions on where to eat, or providing the interesting facts, your Tour Director is both friendly face and travelling companion.
There’s also the chance for new friendships with fellow travellers – and let’s not forget you can have that pint of Guinness without having to drive. And that travelling in a luxury motor coach allows you to see over the hedgerows as you go, and that cannot be underestimated when it comes to seeing the beautiful countryside.
What three items must you absolutely pack for a tour in Ireland?
A good camera, warm clothing in the winter and comfortable footwear.
Scenic view of Gap of Dunloe, County Kerry, Ireland.
What’s your favourite place in Ireland?
I love bringing visitors to Killarney. It is the gateway to the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula and West Cork. On its doorstep is Killarney National Park, one of Ireland’s most outstanding areas of natural beauty and home to Ireland’s highest mountain range. It’s also home to MacGillycuddy’s Reeks – the land and seascapes are spectacular.
When you have finished your day soaking up the scenery, retreat to Killarney where the buzz of the late-night shops, pubs, restaurants and horse-drawn carriages present a real sense of escape. I love Killarney and its location so much, I live there!
Where does one find the perfect pint of Guinness?
I have to preface this question by saying that no self-respecting Irish man will drink Guinness anywhere else in the world other than Ireland. Here’s why.
To create the perfect pint, the bar keeper must regularly clean the lines from keg to tap, carefully cool and store the keg, and ultimately pour the pint in two stages. Stage one, pull the pint three quarters the way up the tilted glass. Stage two, allow to stand and settle for one minute and nineteen seconds (very important) before topping up till the glass is full and the perfect creamy white head has formed.
I have met many visitors over the years who say they have tried Guinness at home in their own countries and they didn’t like it. However, when I convince them to try it in Ireland, they are immediately converted. Big pub, small pub, it doesn’t matter when the basic rules are applied to serving Guinness.
Ireland in the summer is green and glorious, but what is special about Ireland in the winter?
Visiting Ireland in the winter is a joy: there are no long lines to deal with at the most popular attractions, hotels are warm and cosy, everyone is friendly and more than willing to assist you. Find the right pub or café – and there are many – and you’ll be greeted with the scent of a warm log or turf open fire.
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