Being a university student studying the Troubles, I was blown away by the knowledge and experience of Ruari. He answered every question with extreme detail and used his own experiences… read more to illustrate the climate and history of Northern Ireland. He treated much of the tour as a conversation that was extremely enjoyable and informative. We encountered several logistical issues due to unforeseen circumstances but Ruari handled them with remarkable flexibility and patience. I was blown away by the trip and every part of the tour exceeded my expectations.

  I first met Ruairí in Derry in May 2019 and began working with him in August to plan a tour for 12 university students from the States in March 2020… read more who were taking a course on the modern history and politics of Northern Ireland. Throughout the whole planning process, he accommodated our changing needs, responded quickly to questions, and made me feel very comfortable about how the trip was going to go. As the trip got closer, I found that I wasn’t too nervous about it because I felt like we were going to be in good hands. I was right. From the minute Ruairí met us in the hotel in Belfast until we said goodbye in Derry, he provided my students with his insight, experiences, good humor, patience, and tips on where to go to really immerse oneself in the life of Belfast and Derry. Because he grew up in Derry and knows so many people who were willing to meet and talk with my students about their experiences, Ruairí was able to make the history my students had read in the weeks before come alive. And because we were traveling at the point where the coronavirus began to spread across Europe and the US, we experienced a great deal of uncertainty in our last two days about whether we would have to re-arrange our schedule or abandon parts of it. But Ruairí calmly adjusted, taking us off of the beaten path to a few beautiful out-of-the-way places in Donegal that we otherwise would not have been able to see. I know that there are a number of options to choose from for instructors who are bringing students to Northern Ireland, but I could not have been more pleased with what Ruairí was able to provide for my class. And I now consider him a friend and I look forward to bringing over more students in the future for him to show around his beautiful homeland.

  I cannot thank Rauri enough for the experience he was able to provide to both my classmates and I! This was my first time visiting Ireland, and Ruari blew me… read more away with his knowledge of Ireland’s history along with many important sites along the way. Ruari’s big smile and witty jokes are sure to keep you entertained along the way! Ruari was able to pack a lot of fantastic information and sites during the tours, but what stood out to me most was that no matter how packed the agenda was for the day, Ruari always took the time to address all questions and personal thoughts along the way! It is truly amazing all the information and love that Ruari has for his beautiful home country! If you are spending anywhere from a day to a few weeks in Ireland and want to learn everything, there is to know about Ireland… RUARI IS YOUR MAN!