tour guide jobs

The Position - VagaGuide

The Adventure Tours Driver-Guide with Vagabond Tours presents a dynamic, exciting opportunity for those who are passionate about Ireland, its culture, outdoor adventure, and guiding small groups through unforgettable cultural and adventureous experiences.

We are currently rolling out our March 2027 recruitment plan.

Interviews will take place throughout 2026, alongside a number of multi day assessment trips designed to evaluate shortlisted candidates in the field.

Successful applicants may be required to undertake some in-house training during the 2026 season. However, the offered Driver-Guide position will be for the 2027 season.

We are

Here’s a summary of the role and key points:

Key Responsibilities:

• Tour Guiding: Solo lead groups (5-12 days) across Ireland, delivering engaging, informative tours. You’ll be both a driver and a guide, explaining Irish history, culture, and nature in a fun, light hearted way.
• Vehicle Preparation & Maintenance: Ensure the tour vehicle is clean, safe, and ready for each tour. Perform daily checks and keep the vehicle in excellent condition throughout.
• Customer Care: Embark and disembark guests, assist with luggage, guide gentle wilderness walks, arrange activities, and manage guest safety and satisfaction. on both Vagabond and Driftwood Tours
• Administration: Handle various tour-related admin tasks such as checking in guests at accommodations, incident reporting and managing general day to day communications with your support team in our Wicklow HQ .
• Tour Variability: Be adaptable and ready to guide both adventure-focused Vagabond Tours and the more relaxed Driftwood Tours.

Requirements:

• Irish bus license (D or D1): This is essential to have completed by the start of the season, but support is available if you're now in the process of obtaining it.
• Knowledge of Ireland: You need an extensive and deep understanding of Ireland's history, culture, landscape and people.
• Languages: Fluent in English with an awareness and understanding of the Hiberno-English dialect. Some level of Irish is an advantage, though not necessary for the role.
• Experience: Experience in tourism, outdoor adventure, or customer service is a bonus.
• People Skills: Being personable, patient, and reliable with excellent communication skills is essential.
• Physical Activity: You’ll need to lead gentle group wilderness walks and promote other outdoor activities with our contracted suppliers throughout Ireland. All of our guides must either hold or be actively working towards a minimum of the national Lowland Leader Award.

Training Provided:

• Comprehensive Training Program: Including a 4-5 week in-house and on the road training program and opportunities for first aid and leadership qualifications like the Lowland Leader National Qualification, manual handling and fire safety.

Compensation & Perks

• Pay: starting from €190 per day
• KPI related bonus
• Daily food allowance
• Optional health insurance
• Optional pension contributions.
• Work - Life Balance: The job offers flexibility, with a varied and adventurous daily routine. Not quite your typical 9 to 5 job, 5 days a week - more an interesting and varied work schedule spread over the season.
• Community & Culture: Join a fun, passionate and supportive team with legendary end-of-season gatherings and a positive work culture certified by Great Place to Work.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives on adventure and initiative, loves sharing knowledge about Ireland, and enjoys being on the road interacting with diverse groups of people.

The Vagabond Company

The first Vagabond tour set off on February 6, 2002, with Rob leading the group in the original "VagaTron," a modified 1990 Land Rover Defender, a far cry from today’s more advanced fleet of customized Mercedes 4x4 vehicles and luxury mini buses.

Over the past 24 years, Vagabond Tours has steadily grown, expanding both its fleet and its offerings. The company now provides a diverse range of tours:

• Vagabond Adventure Tours: Focused on active, off-the-beaten-path experiences.
• Driftwood Ireland Tours: A more relaxed, culturally-focused option.

The company has stayed true to its roots, remaining family-run and independent, with a commitment to sharing their love of Ireland with their guests. They have gained a loyal customer base, with many guests returning for second, third and even forth and more tours. The vagabond company has gained many awards and certification over the years, including becoming Ireland’s first travel B Corp, and also winning first place in Ireland as a Great Places to Work certified business.

As of 2026, Vagabond Tours celebrates its 24th year of success, still living by their mantra: "We Want You To Love Ireland As Much As We Do!" Their passion for Ireland, dedication to customer satisfaction, and ability to adapt and grow over time have made them not only a first class Irish travel company, but also a great organisation to work for and be part of.

What to do next

1. Prepare Your CV

Tailor your CV to highlight relevant experience and skills for the Adventure Tours Driver- Guide position. Make sure to include:

• Driving and Licence Information: Mention your Irish D1 or D Passenger Carrying Vehicle Licence or your progress in obtaining one.
• Tourism or Outdoor Experience: List any experience you have in tourism, outdoor activities, or customer service.
• Adventure/Outdoor Leadership: Include experience with activities such as hiking, leading group tours, or any relevant qualifications (e.g., Lowland Leader Award).
• People Skills: Emphasize your communication and interpersonal skills, which are crucial for guiding small groups.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: Mention any roles where you’ve thrived in dynamic environments or handled multiple responsibilities and had to show initiative.

2. Write a Lighthearted Cover Letter

In your cover letter, show us your personality while addressing why you feel you’d be a great fit for Vagabond Tours. This cover letter should present your wishes to be part of the Vagabond company and team and how you think you would fit in with our guiding principle and core values.

For more in depth information on the Vagabond company and to learn more about the VagaGuide job and role, visit our website and our job page.

https://vagabondtoursofireland.com/tour-guide-jobs#_jobs_driver_guide

We are an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, religion, disability, or any other characteristics protected under Irish equality and employment legislation.

Job Type: Fixed term
Contract length: 8 months

Pay: From €190.00 per day

Benefits:

• Bike to work scheme
• Company pension
• Food allowance
• On-site parking
• Private medical insurance

Application question(s):

• Do you have an extensive knowledge of Irelands history, culture, landscape and people?

Language:

• Fluent English (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Mini bus D1 class driving licence (preferred)

Willingness to travel:

• 100% (required)

Work Location: On the road