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Johnboy

John McKiernan is Reservations Supervisor at Vagabond. He was previously a driver guide for Vagabond and, fadรณ fadรณ, 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

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 ๐Ÿฆฑ Hotels Have Hairdryers & Wifi (But Rarely Aircon) โšก Power Sockets In Irish Hotels Are A Little Different ๐Ÿ˜‹ Hotel Breakfasts In Ireland A Personal Highlight For Me ๐Ÿ›๏ธ Irish Hotel Bed Sizes Do NOT Match US Bed Sizes ๐Ÿšฝ Get Ready The Subtle Nuances Of Irish Hotel Bathrooms ๐Ÿ‘• 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 ๐Ÿ˜‹ Tipping in Irish Restaurants and Pubs ๐Ÿ’ณ Can I Use A Credit Card To Tip? ๐Ÿš– When Should I Tip Irish Taxi Drivers? What About Hotel Staff? ๐Ÿ˜Ž 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 ๐Ÿค” What is VAT Exactly? ๐Ÿ“‰ Different VAT Rates Sometimes Apply ๐Ÿ’ฐ Is VAT Charged Separately? ๐Ÿค‘ How To Save On VAT
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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 ๐Ÿ’ฐ Tours Are MORE Economical. Fixed Pricing Vs. Astronomical Rental Quotes, Gas, Insurance PLUS Other Fees ๐Ÿ“ธ You'll See MORE On Tour With Us Than You Would Driving. Let An Expert Guide You! ๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ Flexible Tour Itineraries With Choice & Downtime Built-In. Real Independence! ๐Ÿ˜Ž Less Hassle. No Need To Adapt To Driving Stick, Driving On The Left Or Different Road Layouts ๐Ÿ™Œ Be More Sociable! Ready-Made Travel Buddies On Tour And The Chance To Meet Friendly Locals ๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ No Fiddling With Maps Or GPS. See The REAL Ireland. All The Must-See Sights PLUS Our Secret Destinations. ๐Ÿ•– Skip Queues At Major Attractions. We Time Arrivals Outside Peak Hours. โœ”๏ธ Little Or No Research Involved. We've Been Exploring Ireland Since 2002!
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Exterior of Roxford Lodge Hotel in Dublin, a redbrick building with blue sky

John's Alternative Guide To Dublin Hotels Outside The City Centre

15th February 2024
Having trouble finding reasonably-priced hotels in Dublin? Travel expert John has the answer; base yourself outside the the city centre. Use John's guide to book high quality Dublin accommodation and learn the best ways to reach downtown. Alternative Dublin Hotels At A Glance ๐ŸŸ๏ธ Avoid The Events On This Calendar In 2025 ๐Ÿ“ Orient Yourself With This Dublin Hotel Map ๐Ÿจ Alternative Dublin Hotels That Are Still Quite Central ๐Ÿงญ Hotels Located South and West of Dublin City Centre ๐Ÿš Note That All Tours Begin and End at the Grand Canal Hotel
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Plane in blue sky, flying to Ireland

Save Money with John's Tips For Booking Cheap Flights to Ireland

22nd September 2023
With years of experience as a travel agent and VagaGuide, John shares his expertise, tips and tricks for booking cheap flights to Ireland. Saving Money on Cheap Flights to Ireland At A Glance ๐Ÿ“… Be Sure To Book Early ๐Ÿ›ซ Choose The Right Departure Day โ›ฑ๏ธ Aim for Shoulder Season ๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ’ผ Speak To A Travel Agent ๐Ÿ’ธ Check Jack's Flight Club ๐Ÿ›ฌ Use A Flight Comparison Website โš ๏ธ Sign Up For Flight Alerts ๐Ÿ‘จ๐Ÿผโ€โœˆ๏ธ Check Google Flights โ˜˜๏ธ Look At Alternative Airports In Ireland
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