Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Working Life

A successful tour guide loves talking to strangers about the specific subjects he/she is passionate and knowledgeable about. But a successful tour guide is also somewhat of a performer, who can bring history and facts to life for tourists and visitors. In other words, this career is ideal for someone who is both an entertainer and an educator.

As a tour guide you could work in one place such as a castle or historic house, or accompany groups on day tours to interesting places, cities or sites. As tourist groups come to Ireland from all over the world, you will have a huge advantage if you can provide guided tours through a foreign language.

Guided tours could be sightseeing tours, tours for special interest groups or themed walks. You escort groups around a site or an area, and give information about the history, purpose, architecture or other points of interest. And the points of interest could be anything! If you are a TV & film buff, maybe you can finally put your expert knowledge of all things Star Wars or Game of Thrones to good use, as a tourist guide in Kerry or Down!

You could also work as a 'driver guide', taking small groups of tourists on guided tours around places of interest in a car or minibus.

Working as a tour guide means that no two days are the same and you will not be stuck behind a desk for 8 hours a day. Some tourist guides work as freelancers while others are employed by tour operators, travel guide companies, privately owned tourist sites, the OPW and local councils. Work is often, but not always, part-time and seasonal.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Describe tour points of interest to group members, and respond to questions.
• Escort individuals or groups on cruises, sightseeing tours, or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, or art galleries.
• Monitor visitors' activities to ensure compliance with establishment or tour regulations and safety practices.
• Conduct educational activities for school children.
• Research various topics, including site history, environmental conditions, and clients' skills and abilities to plan appropriate expeditions, instruction, and commentary.
• Provide directions and other pertinent information to visitors.
• Select travel routes and sites to be visited based on knowledge of specific areas.
• Provide for physical safety of groups, performing such activities as providing first aid or directing emergency evacuations.
• Assemble and check the required supplies and equipment prior to departure.
• Greet and register visitors, and issue any required identification badges or safety devices.

Further Information

• Holiday representative- from: GradIreland
• Tour Guide- from: Get a Life in Tourism

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

It's never been easier to combine your love for Ireland's legendary landmarks with a career in the tourism industry! There are different courses available but if you are serious about a career as a tour guide, the main course is the Level 6 Special Purpose Award in National Tour Guiding. When you complete it, you will be able to receive an industry Tour Guide badge and be eligible to become a member of the Approved Tourist Guides of Ireland.

The course includes modules in Irish Culture & National Heritage, National Tour Management and Irish Tour Guiding. Many course providers also offer modules in Digital Marketing, Business Management and Customer Relations. These subjects offer the potential to build up your transferable knowledge and skills, if you ever decide to develop your career further or work in a different sector. The course is currently run by the following colleges:

• Dublinia
• Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board
• Kerry Education and Training Board
• Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education
• Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board
• Limerick Clare Education and Training Board
• Liberties College
• Cork Education and Training Board
• Stillorgan College of Further Education

If you don’t have a Leaving Certificate or similar qualification yet, you might like to do the NFQ Level 5 Common Awards in Cultural and Heritage Studies which can be a good starting point. Please note that this course will not qualify you for the National Tour Guide badge. But even so, it can be a suitable first step and both Dublinia and the National Print Museum offer this course through City of Dublin ETB. Search for more similar FET courses here.

Training & Development

You can progress in this career by developing a unique tourist experience and building up a good reputation over time.  

You might want to add a second, third or maybe fourth language! Studying language courses, in Ireland or abroad, can also help you on your path to a career in this sector! Read more about studying abroad here.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €38k

Salaries can vary depending on employer, role, duties, and location.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ Talent/ Glassdoor/ National Museum of Ireland/ IMMA/ Gov.ie/ PAS

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Sports and leisure assistants, Travel agents, Air travel assistants, Rail travel assistants, Leisure and theme park attendants, Travel agency managers and proprietors, Leisure and travel service occupations n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

Despite some growth since 2022, employment in 2023 was below the levels observed five years’ previous. Most employed were female and almost two-fifths worked part-time. There was a relatively high volume of recent job hires indicating that job churn is a feature of these occupations.

The numbers employed across the various roles in this occupation are too small for further analysis but the CSO Census data shows that approximately half of those in this occupation worked as air travel assistants or travel agents, with 2022 employment levels for these roles well below their 2016 levels. Levels of consumer spending and the green agenda will be some of the factors driving demand for these roles in the coming years.

• OPW - The Office of Public Works

  • Head Office Jonathan Swift Street Trim Co. Meath C15 NX36
  • (046) 942 6000
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Independent Tour Guides Association

  • +353 87 3210174 or +353 83 1454548
  • Click Here

• Fáilte Ireland

  • Amiens Street, Dublin 1
  • (01) 884 7700
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Approved Tourist Guides of Ireland

  • ATGI, PO box 6156, Dublin 4
  • +353 (0) 860615117
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• National Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions (AVEA)

  • AVEA C/o Ground Floor, Unit 5, Sandyford Office Park, Sandyford Dublin 18
  • +353 (0)1 293 6807
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here