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Johnboy

John McKiernan is Reservations Supervisor at Vagabond. He was previously a driver guide for Vagabond and, fadΓ³ fadΓ³, a hiking guide and travel agent. Johnboy loves to share his passion for Ireland, his knowledge of Irish culture and his in-depth travel expertise.

Blog Articles

Tron tour vehicle on a scenic beach in Northern Ireland

No Better Time To Book The Best Value Ireland Tours

28th November 2024
No better place to escape to than Ireland. No better time to come than 2025. Travel expert John explains why value lies at the heart of Vagabond and Driftwood Tours of Ireland. ⏳ Book Early, Save Up To 15% πŸ’° Take Advantage Of The Strong Dollar πŸ’Ί Free Seat Hold Service & Flat-Rate Deposits πŸ—“οΈ 23 Years of Experience Leading Small-Group Tours πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘ Small-Group = Personal Service πŸ•— Full Days on Tour & Amazing Reviews  
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Johnboy's Guide To Hotels In Ireland: What To Expect

6th September 2024
Hotels in Ireland have their own unique charm. We hand-pick our accommodation providers so you always get the best possible experience. Travel expert Johnboy is here to explain it all. Let's dive in! What To Expect In Hotels In Ireland At A Glance 🦱 Hotels Have Hairdryers & Wifi (But Rarely Aircon) ⚑ Power Sockets In Irish Hotels Are A Little Different πŸ˜‹ Hotel Breakfasts In Ireland A Personal Highlight For Me πŸ›οΈ Irish Hotel Bed Sizes Do NOT Match US Bed Sizes 🚽 Get Ready The Subtle Nuances Of Irish Hotel Bathrooms πŸ‘• It Is Possible To Do Laundry On Tour
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Female tour guest raises her eyebrows and widens her eyes at the camera while sipping from an Irish coffee

Tipping In Ireland: How Much?

12th July 2024
When should you tip in Ireland? How much? And who should you definitely NOT tip? Ireland travel expert, Johnboy, has the answers. TIPPING IN IRELAND AT A GLANCE πŸ˜‹ Tipping in Irish Restaurants and Pubs πŸ’³ Can I Use A Credit Card To Tip? πŸš– When Should I Tip Irish Taxi Drivers? What About Hotel Staff? 😎 Do I Tip My Tour Guide & Activity Suppliers On Tour?
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Couple exploring colourful shops in Kilkenny, Ireland

Understand Sales Tax In Ireland & Get A VAT Refund

25th June 2024
What is VAT? Travel expert John helps you understand Irish sales tax and how you can claim it back after your vacation to Ireland. Sales Tax And VAT Refunds In Ireland At A Glance πŸ€” What is VAT Exactly? πŸ“‰ Different VAT Rates Sometimes Apply πŸ’° Is VAT Charged Separately? πŸ€‘ How To Save On VAT
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John's 9 Unbreakable Irish Food Rules

2nd May 2024
Our Irish food expert and reformed VagaGuide, John, navigates your path through the rules of eating in Ireland. Irish Food Rules At A Glance 🍳 Eat Dinner For Breakfast 🍞 Make Sure You Munch All 1,387 Irish Bread Varieties 🧈 Speaking of Bread, Spread Your Butter Thick 🍲 Try A Different Chowder In Every Village πŸ₯” All Hale The Potato! πŸ’ͺ Treat Stout Like A Health Drink β˜• Brew Your Tea Strong 🍟 Chips = Crisps. Fries = Chips πŸ— Any Day Can Be Sunday Roast Day!
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Female tour guests with Vagabond tour guide smiling at a kayaking centre

7 Reasons Guided Tours Go Beyond Self-Drive

16th April 2024
Less hassle. More friends. Freedom in spades. Compare how small-group guided tours measure up against self-drive vacations in Ireland with this helpful guide. Tours Vs. Self-Drive in Ireland πŸ’° Tours Are MORE Economical. Fixed Pricing Vs. Astronomical Rental Quotes, Gas, Insurance PLUS Other Fees πŸ“Έ You'll See MORE On Tour With Us Than You Would Driving. Let An Expert Guide You! πŸ—ΊοΈ Flexible Tour Itineraries With Choice & Downtime Built-In. Real Independence! 😎 Less Hassle. No Need To Adapt To Driving Stick, Driving On The Left Or Different Road Layouts πŸ™Œ Be More Sociable! Ready-Made Travel Buddies On Tour And The Chance To Meet Friendly Locals πŸ—ΊοΈ No Fiddling With Maps Or GPS. See The REAL Ireland. All The Must-See Sights PLUS Our Secret Destinations. πŸ•– Skip Queues At Major Attractions. We Time Arrivals Outside Peak Hours. βœ”οΈ Little Or No Research Involved. We've Been Exploring Ireland Since 2002!
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πŸŒΌπŸ’° 15% OFF MARCH 2025 β€” Tour In March 2025 & Pay 15% Less Than Peak Season. LEARN MORE

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