Our Story | Mary G Tours – Private Tours of Ireland

Our Story

Mary G Tours was born out of a lifelong love for Ireland, its people, and its stories.

Award-winning private tour operator • National Tour Guide Badge holder since 1992 • Based in Killarney, at the heart of the southwest, Mary G has been welcoming visitors to Ireland and sharing the country she knows so intimately since 1992. What began as a passion for guiding has evolved into an award-winning private tour company, trusted by travellers from around the world who seek an authentic, relaxed, and deeply personal Irish experience.

A Lifetime of Experience

Mary began her guiding career at the historic Muckross House and Estate in Killarney National Park, where her love of Irish history, heritage, and storytelling took root. Over the years, her career has taken her far beyond Kerry, working internationally in destinations such as Paris, Rome, and Sorrento. These experiences, including time spent with American Airlines and as a licensed city guide in Paris, shaped Mary’s understanding of international travellers and the high standards they expect.

Since earning her National Tour Guide Badge in 1992, Mary has continued to deepen her knowledge of Ireland. She is a graduate of genealogy and Irish Heritage and Folklore from University College Cork, bringing an added layer of insight for guests interested in ancestry, local traditions, and the stories that rarely make it into guidebooks.

Mary’s work has been recognised nationally, including being named Tour Guide of the Year and Private Tour Operator of the Year at the Irish Enterprise Awards. These honours reflect not only experience but a genuine commitment to quality, care, and connection with every client.

The Mary G Tours Approach

Mary G Tours specialises in private, customised tours of Ireland, designed around your interests, pace, and travel style. Guests can choose from carefully curated multi-day private tours of Ireland, relaxed day tours from Killarney, or fully custom-designed and ancestry-focused journeys for those wishing to explore family roots. From scenic drives along the Wild Atlantic Way to heritage-rich journeys through Kerry, Dingle, Beara, and beyond, every itinerary is thoughtfully planned to balance iconic highlights with quieter, local experiences.

Whether guiding personally or working behind the scenes, Mary remains directly involved in every tour. Each itinerary is personally designed, and great care is taken to ensure that every detail — from accommodation choices to daily pacing — reflects the high standards for which Mary G Tours is known.

A Carefully Evolving Business

As demand for private and multi-day tours has grown in recent years, Mary G Tours has naturally evolved. While the personal nature of the business remains unchanged, Mary now works on a small scale with other experienced professionals who share her values, passion for Ireland, and commitment to exceptional service.

This careful evolution allows Mary G Tours to continue offering highly personalised experiences while meeting the needs of clients travelling at different times and across longer itineraries. Importantly, Mary remains closely involved in planning and oversight, ensuring that every guest receives the same warm welcome, local insight, and attention to detail that have defined the company from the beginning.

More Than a Tour

At its heart, Mary G Tours is about people — the people you meet, the stories you hear, and the sense of place that stays with you long after you leave Ireland. Tours are never rushed, scripts are never rehearsed, and no two journeys are ever the same.

Whether you are visiting Ireland for the first time, returning to explore deeper, or tracing family roots, Mary G Tours offers a thoughtful, flexible, and genuinely Irish way to experience the country.

Mary G Tours — private, personalised tours of Ireland, created with care and guided by experience.

Plan Your Irish Journey

Explore our Private Multi-Day Tours of Ireland, discover Day Tours from Killarney, or enquire about a Customised or Ancestry Tour designed just for you. If you’d like to discuss ideas or begin planning, please get in touch — Mary will be happy to help you shape a journey that suits your interests, pace, and travel style.