It started with a group chat…

When Barbara from Virginia got in touch with me, she told me how she had already been exploring the idea of a secret birthday golf & whiskey tour in Ireland with Tim’s best friends via a secret Whatsapp group chat.

Would it be possible to plan a secret trip to Ireland for all of Tim’s favourite things? Golf, whiskey, and his Irish-American heritage.

Barbara told me how she wanted to cheer Tim up after losing a loved one, and he kept saying he didn’t want a fuss made over his 50th birthday – but she had other plans.

We co-ordinated with her on the logistics; hotels, flights, transfers, the dream golf experience, the very best whiskey tours that Ireland has to offer and some other little details along the way. Barbara stealthily packed his bags and co-ordinated with Tim’s friends to throw him off the trail with a decoy celebration plan.

Planning a trip can be stressful at the best of times, add secrecy to it and we hit another level. While we’re on hand on this end of things, it’s important to have a close-knit support network on your end to work out the fine details with; packing bags, passports, golf gear, medication, and distractions if you need them to move luggage into a vehicle incognito.

Tim didn’t discover he was going to Ireland until the morning of his 50th birthday. His friends arrived to pick him up for what he thought was going to be a day of golf, a meal and whiskey in local bars with his friends. His jaw dropped when he saw the suitcase..

⛳ Golf & Logistics Questions

For a trip like this, it is recommended that courses are booked for larger groups 12-24 months in advance as these are extremely limited. For smaller groups, there is more flexibility. Don’t worry though, we can assist you to ensure this runs smoothly after your initial enquiry.

Personally, I would recommend Ballyliffin, Rosapenna, Narin & Portnoo, Sligo, or Enniscrone. But we will discuss where and when you are staying for the optimum golf tour.

Our luxury fleet of Mercedes V-Class (and add-ons like trailers and Mercedes Sprinters for larger groups) can accommodate multiple group sizes. Luggage, golf clubs, and guests will fit comfortably as you are chauffeur driven between your destinations.

If one or more of the group doesn’t play golf – we can adjust the itinerary to accommodate multiple interests. You are travelling around one of the most scenic and historical places in the world! In saying that, the laughs on the courses are often the best part – and non-golfers often choose to relax in the stunning local bars & restaurants.

🚗 Planning & Travel Mechanics

Some visitors opt to rent a van in Ireland, but the ‘wrong side of the road’ often becomes an issue. Navigating the raw, rural landscape of unfamiliar roads can feel daunting. Our clients tend to come to us to remove this stressful aspect. In the case of this particular tour, Tim had a sciatica issue which often flared when sitting for too long. Barbara informed us of this and we ensured Tim had plenty of breaks in the journey to get out and stretch his legs.

This is where a flexible private driver makes the difference. Enabling you to travel in both style and comfort – as you need it.

No 2 tours are the same for us. Each package is uniquely tailored to you. We will discuss your options and can give you a quote for exactly what you are looking for here.

If you’re coming from somewhere like America – you would ideally want a longer stay in Ireland to experience as much of it as possible, but if you’re visiting from Europe or the UK, some people opt for a shorter time, such as a weekend break.

We would recommend between May – September for the best weather and lighting on the course. The ‘days are longer’ and this enables you to do more in that window. We are now accepting bookings for 2027 and beyond. Bookings for large groups are extremely limited so it is advised that you book well in advance.

 
 
 
 
  EXCELLENT  
  
 Based on 58 reviews 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
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 Gwenda Combs 
 
 
 
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What a great experience! Exploring Northern Ireland with a private driver was the highlight of our trip to Ireland.  Gary went above and beyond to make our day perfect for our entire family… ages 24 to 67.  I cannot recommend GS Chauffeurs enough.  They are professional, knowledgeable and  personable.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Henrietta Kopecki 
 
 
 
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An Unforgettable 9 Days in Ireland - Absolutely best driver! We just completed a 9-Day tour around Ireland, and our driver Gary made the trip unforgettable. From day one, he was exceptionally prompt, professional and reliable. His deep knowledge of Ireland’s history, culture and geography added so much value to everything we saw! What truly set him apart was his ability to take us off the beaten path. He introduced us to incredible, unique locations and hidden gems that we never would have discovered on our own, including some of the best local pubs! If you want a seamless, stress-free, and deeply authentic Irish experience, we cannot recommend him highly enough!! 🇮🇪
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Bob Young 
 
 
 
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We had not visited Ireland for 21 years, even though I have dual citizenship with Ireland and the USA.  We wanted the most enjoyable and educational experience possible, with a relaxed and knowledgeable guide to this beautiful magical place.  Gary was so much more than we had hoped or expected.  My Grandson Rory wanted waterfalls, my Daughter wanted hikes with awesome views, I wanted castles and pubs with live music at night.  Gary's itinerary that he drew up for us had everything we wanted and more.  Gary is a treasure trove of Irish history, mythology, and general knowledge.  If you want the best Ireland experience possible do yourself a favor and hire Gary.  I know that I will again in the future.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Kristie 
 
 
 
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Gary takes such great care of my clients- nothing but positive feedback.  Highly recommend if you are visiting the northwest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Amber Young 
 
 
 
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Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! My family were connected to Gary of GS Chauffeurs Ireland through a US based travel agent. I would recommend everyone and anyone to his services. I wanted a driver who could show us some of the less frequently traveled and most gorgeous areas of the  north-western republic, and Northern Ireland. He was flexible and totally accommodating, and provided exceptional education and companionship. Bonus, while all the knowledge he shared about the history of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland was phenomenal, if you want to learn and understand the history of Derry he provides an incredible in-depth experience. When we return to Ireland next we won't hesitate to contact him!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Akshay Verma 
 
 
 
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Gary was an absolutely amazing driver! He was very knowledgeable about the history of Ireland, recommended us great places to see, and was extremely flexible around our schedule. Above all else, Gary is an amazing person and a true pleasure to talk too. He made each of us feel like family and still kept it professional at the exact same time. He deserves a lot more than 5 stars. I would book him again in a heartbeat.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 V LS 
 
 
 
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Ireland has lots of magical places and friendly people i discovered this summer.  Gary is one of the magical ones.  He made my 3 big wishes come true in the nicest way with respect to sightseeing.  Planning another trip one day, only when he is available, because he made the journey so comfortable & friendly with suggestions that were in complete alignment with what i wished to experience.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Jacqueline Talbott 
 
 
 
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What a fantastic guy Gary was! He was so knowledgeable and had lots of stories to share. He made our tour so enjoyable!! I highly recommend using him for your next visit to Derry/Londonderry.  He provided a clean and very nice van for my partner and myself and pretty much designed our whole day around our “must see’s”. 10/10 Thanks Gary!! B&J 😄
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 una rush 
 
 
 
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Gary left me and friends to and from the airport for a hen. He was the most friendly easy going driver nothing was a bother.. Made sure we had a brilliant time on the way there and went above and beyond to make sure we got sorted on the way back too. So lovely and good craic will definitely be using him again for whenever we can! 10/10
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Caroll Wiewall 
 
 
 
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The service was excellent and we were able to attend to our tour. Thank you!