About Brendan Vacations

Home
Brendan Vacations

Our name comes from St. Brendan, patron saint of navigation, as we share his great passion for exploration and travel that has fueled the authentic vacation experiences we've created for travelers like you over the past 46 years.

We are your Ireland and Scotland local experts. Our team in Dublin, led by Managing Director of 30 years, Catherine Reilly, love being able to showcase their homelands. Taking you personally means we understand your every travel need, so from all the planning to introducing you to our tight knit group of local friends along the way, leave your Celtic vacation to us.

Brendan Vacations has offices in Dublin, Ireland and Anaheim, California and is a proud member of The Travel Corporation.

Why Book With Brendan Vacations

As the premier Celtic experts, no one knows Ireland & Scotland as we do. As Jameson is to whiskey, and Waterford is to crystal, so are we to Ireland and Scotland. It’s who we are. It’s what we do. From our Travel House in Los Angeles, California to our team behind the blue door in Dublin, we work together to provide you with the ultimate Celtic experience and a view through the eyes of the locals, seen by few. EXPERIENCE Founded in 1969, we’ve had nearly 50 years to hone our Celtic expertise. From the gregarious locals to the vibrant culture, rich history and breathtaking sights, we know the destination best. LOCAL EXPERTS Led by Catherine Reilly, Managing Director for over 30 years, our local Dublin team hand-crafts each of our itineraries and has long-standing relationships with every Hotelier, Travel Director, Private Chauffeur, Local Host and Venue Manager our guests meet on their journey. TAKING YOU PERSONALLY Guided by our mantra, ‘taking you personally’, we’re passionate about delivering a completely authentic experience, tailored to our guests' needs and interests. However they travel with us, they’ll meet our storytellers, stay in our hand-selected accommodations, explore our rugged edge of the world and experience Brendan’s highly personalized service.

Tours and Trips by Brendan Vacations Tours

Explore our most popular and top-rated tours from Brendan Vacations Tours

Best of Ireland & Scotland - Premium

5.0(6 reviews)

This unforgettable Ireland and Scotland guided tour offers travelers a deep dive into the heart of Gaelic culture and history. Dublin impresses with the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College and the millennia old Book of Kells. Glencoe offers a glimpse of Britain’s highest mountain Ben Nevis before a cruise on Loch Ness and the chance to seek out Scotland’s most infamous bonnie monster. Up in the highlands, enjoy a whiskey tasting at a distillery, to uncork tales of smugglers before the vacation embarks on a grand tour of the Scottish capital. Edinburgh doesn’t disappoint with the Royal Mile, home to Edinburgh Castle, Scotland’s Crown Jewels and the Scottish Parliament.

14 days

Country Roads of Scotland - Premium

5.0(8 reviews)

Set foot on the stomping grounds of the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh, see the grand Georgian architecture of Glasgow and sail across the sea to the Isle of Skye—the most beautiful island of the Inner Hebrides. Enjoy a quieter pace of life on the tranquil Orkney islands as you explore the 1000-year-old Norse Town of Kirkwall and the mysterious Ring of Brodgar. In Wick, whet your whistle with a wee dram of whisky at the Old Pulteney Distillery or visit the fascinating Heritage Museum. After exploring the charming cobbled streets of St. Andrews, take afternoon tea at Blair Castle—the historic home of the Atholl family for over seven centuries.

9 days

Focus on Ireland - Premium

5.0(5 reviews)

Discover Ireland’s vibrant landscapes and storied traditions on the 'Focus on Ireland - Premium' sightseeing tour, perfect for experienced travelers. Over seven days, gaze from the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, stroll Dublin’s Georgian avenues, and savor authentic Irish recipes in a family-run Killarney guesthouse. Visit the last port of call for the Titanic in Cobh, kiss the famed Stone of Eloquence at Blarney Castle, and lose yourself in Galway’s historic charm. The unique highlight of this trip is its intimate farm-to-table culinary experience, offering a genuine taste of Ireland’s warmth and hospitality alongside its most celebrated sights.

7 days

Irish Elegance - Premium

5.0(3 reviews)

Experience the Wild Atlantic Way and journey from Galway to Killarney on this once-in-a-lifetime tour of Ireland. Trace a landscape shaped by myth and geology—home to Europe’s longest defined coastal route and the staggering Cliffs of Moher, rising 214 m (702 ft) above sea level. Discover Galway’s vibrant streets, Killarney’s musical heritage and the storybook beauty of Kylemore Abbey, a neo-Gothic masterpiece built in 1868. From the quiet scholarship of Trinity College with its 9th-century Book of Kells, to the raw beauty of Connemara, this is Ireland at its most authentic and intriguing.

8 days

Irish Highlights - Signature

5.0(5 reviews)

A round trip from Dublin featuring the highlights of Ireland including Waterford Crystal, your newfound 'gift of the gab' at Blarney Castle and the unmissable Ring of Kerry. You’ll also learn about the devastating Irish famine and peer over the edge at the Cliffs of Moher.

7 days

Country Roads of Ireland - Premium

5.0(1 review)

Ireland’s rolling hills and legendary charm set the stage for Country Roads of Ireland - Premium, a 12-day adventure tour crafted for experienced travelers. Begin in Dublin, marveling at treasures like the ancient Book of Kells, before journeying to Kilkenny’s storied castle and enjoying a farm-to-table feast in Killarney. Travel the mystical Ring of Kerry, dotted with scenic villages, then stand in awe at the basalt columns of Giant’s Causeway. The group format provides a sociable, expertly guided experience, balancing iconic sights with unique cultural encounters. The unique selling point? Special insider experiences, such as local culinary demonstrations and myth-laden landscapes, that give you a deeper, more authentic slice of Ireland. Accommodation, transport, and meals are included, making this tour a seamless way to explore the Emerald Isle.

12 days

Irish Experience - Signature

5.0(12 reviews)

Explore all the best the Emerald Isle has to offer on your trip filled with tales of mythical creatures and the troubled history of an island split in two. Beyond soul-stirring landscapes, there’s time with a local ‘Cabbie’ who’ll guide you through Belfast.

11 days

Best of Ireland and Scotland - Signature

5.0(11 reviews)

Travel to see the very Best of Ireland and Scotland, from delicate Waterford Crystal to the golfing greats of St. Andrews. Kiss the Blarney Stone and you’ll be sharing tales from Giant’s Causeway, the Ring of Kerry and the Scottish Highlands for years to come.

15 days

Best of Ireland - Signature

5.0(10 reviews)

An in-depth encounter with the Best of Ireland awaits, from spectacular sights like the Cliffs of Moher and Ring of Kerry to the past and present showcased in Dublin, Galway and pretty Adare. You’ll learn all about Irish famine history, former kings and how to embrace the craic.

10 days

Britain & Ireland Discovery - Premium

5.0(1 review)

Embark on the ultimate British and Irish grand tour with 'Britain & Ireland Discovery - Premium.' Spanning 24 days, this explorer trip is crafted for experienced travelers seeking depth and authenticity. Marvel at the ancient Roman city of Bath, master the art of pouring a perfect pint at Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse, and wander the regal halls of Edinburgh’s Holyroodhouse Palace. Discover the remote Orkney Islands, medieval Kilkenny, and York’s labyrinthine streets, then ponder the mysteries of Stonehenge. The unique appeal of this tour package is its access to immersive experiences and local experts, bringing the history and culture of Britain and Ireland vividly to life.

24 days

View all Brendan Vacations Tours tours

Brendan Vacations

Brendan Vacations

Certificate of

Certificate of Excellence