Irish Tour Company
The inspiration for Irish Tour Company began in 2005 when recent university graduate, Conor Riordan, decided to create a more alternative and interesting walking tour of medieval Galway City. After much planning and diligent research this unique tour would uncover Galway’s hidden secrets and urban legends along with local tales of mystery and dark history. With increasing popularity more unique tours were added and now our award winning tours feature on the itineraries of several major tour operators including Insight Vacations and CIE Tours International.
Following 15 years of experience and success, Irish Tour Company is now dedicated to providing the most exciting and unforgettable tour experiences in Galway, Dublin and throughout Ireland. These include our special short and relaxed city tours for large coach groups along with our more personalised small private group tours. We also work in close affiliation with our sister company, Irish Pub Academy, to host a range of interactive and bespoke tours and experiences that focus on the history, culture and heritage of the Irish Pub and famous Irish beverages.
Meet The Guides
Award Winning Tours by Expert Local Guides
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Conor Riordan
Tour guide
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John Byrne
Tour guide
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Shane Spelman
Tour guide
Conor Riordan
Tour guide
Conor, a Clare native, is owner of the Irish Tour Company and is a graduate of the National University of Ireland Galway where he studied Archaeology and History. He is also a Failte Ireland accredited local tour guide (achieving a certificate of distinction) and in 2018 he received a CIE Gold Award of Excellence for his Galway walking tour. Conor has many unique and specialist interests including ancient astronomy, heritage of the Irish pub and a lifetime fascination for legend, mystery and dark history.
John Byrne
Tour guide
John, a Galway native, is a graduate of the Galway and Mayo Institute of Technology where he studied a Bachelor of Business in Event Management and Public Relations. With over 15 years of hospitality and tourism experience, John has built a career around showcasing Irish Pub Culture to the world. John specialises in Irish whiskey tours and tastings, Irish Pub Culture experiences and event hosting.
Shane Spelman
Tour guide
Shane, a Galway native, is a graduate of the National University of Ireland Galway where he studied History and Archaeology. He is also a Failte Ireland accredited national tour guide and an award winning researcher and Fellow of the Flanders Field Museum in Ypres Belgium. Shane has many specialist interests including Irish music and dance, heritage of the Irish pub and the history of the Great War of 1914-18 and in particular Ireland’s significant role and contribution to the conflict.