Stephen McPhilemy

Stephen was born in Historic Derry and spent his formative years growing up in beautiful Donegal. In 2013 he and Patrick bought a luxury guesthouse on Dingle Harbour, so Stephen divides his time between his beloved Ulster and his cherished second-home in the Kingdom of Kerry in Irelands magical South-West coast.

my LATEST NEWS

Other articles by Stephen McPhilemy

December 2025

2026 Essential Ireland tour dates

2026 ESSENTIAL IRELAND Tour Dates Prices include all activities, hotels and breakfasts Enjoy our proud 100% never-ever cancel guarantee!

By
Stephen McPhilemy

2025 Essential Ireland Tour Dates

2025 Essential Ireland Tour Dates. Our 2025 dates are open for reservation! Our Wild Atlantic Way Tour will depart every Sunday (many dates already sold out!) Our famous 'Castles & classics' tour has two departures with availability - April & October And for 2025 the ever-popular 'True North' tour now has an even better price than 2024! Our aim is to bring you better value all the time and maximise the efficiency and value of your tour

By
Stephen McPhilemy

March 1st

03/2019

Stephen G McPhilemy Irish 'songs for the road'

stephen-g-mcphilemy-irish-songs-for-the-road

By
Stephen McPhilemy

04 Jan

Jan 2024

Our New 11 Day ALL-Ireland Tour, 11 days & 10 nights to explore the 4 corners of Ireland

The New 11 Day ALL-Ireland Tour is the pride of Essential Ireland Tours , 11 days & 10 nights to explore the 4 corners of our beloved Ireland

By
Stephen McPhilemy

Sep 22

Remaining 2024 Tour Dates Announced

2024 Essential Ireland Tour Dates

By
Stephen McPhilemy

15 Sep 2022

Summer fun on a 'Castles and Classics' Essential Ireland Tour

Ashford Castle was magical on this 'Castles and Classics' Essential Ireland Tour,

By
Stephen McPhilemy

26

NOV 2021

2022 Tour Dates, 'Essential Ireland'

2022 Tour Dates have been announced, sign up now for a classic 'Essential Ireland' Tour

By
Stephen McPhilemy

October 2021

Back on the road! 2021 Essential Ireland Tours

Essential Ireland Tours are back on the road in 2021. Happy Days

By
Stephen McPhilemy

17

MAR 2020

Our Tours and Covid 19

It is the most surreal celebration of our patron Saint and our Irish identity in living memory. An unwelcome guest (normally a contradiction in terms in Ireland) has arrived on our shores. Coronavirus.

By
Stephen McPhilemy

13

Mar 2020

Saint Patrick's Day

Who is the real Saint Patrick and what did he do?

By
Stephen McPhilemy

01

FEB 2020

Saint Brigid's Day

On February 1st, we celebrate Saint Brigid of Kildare’s feast day and the pagan midwinter festival of Imbolc

By
Stephen McPhilemy

24

FEB 2020

Native Irish Animals

Ireland has many native species of animals, majestic in their own ways. Here are some that you may spot on your Essential Tour of Ireland

By
Stephen McPhilemy

24

DEC 2019

Happy Christmas - Nollaig Shona

A Christmas message from Stephen Mc

By
Stephen McPhilemy

12

NOV 2019

“Its a wrap!” Farewell 2019 tour-season

Castles & Classics VIP Tour 2019

By
Stephen McPhilemy

4

Nov 2019

Marvel at the Grandeur of the Cliffs of Moher

Stories and legends of the Cliffs of Moher

By
Stephen McPhilemy

14

OCT 2019

Discover Dingle

Explore the wild beauty and rich history of the Dingle Peninsula

By
Stephen McPhilemy

04

Sep 2019

Rock of Cashel

Learn all about the myths and the history of the Rock of Cashel

By
Stephen McPhilemy

22

Dec 18

Happy Christmas 2018

Happy Christmas 2018. Warm greetings to all our friends, clan and tour guests throughout the world.

By
Stephen McPhilemy

2

Dec 16

Grand Green Selfie Contest

Winners of our grand 'green-selfie' contest enjoy their VIP tour of The Essential Ireland

By
Stephen McPhilemy

26

Mar 17

Seamus the Irish Wolfhound gets a new playmate!

Seamus the Irish Wolfhound, and our mascot at Essential Ireland tours, gets a new playmate!

By
Stephen McPhilemy

9

Dec 16

Newgrange on Winter solstice. Stephen McPhilemy wins the lottery!

This is an incredible honour for Irish people. Newgrange is one of Ireland's most sacred ancient sites.

By
Stephen McPhilemy

8

July 16

Hollywood Premiere in Ireland! After-Party hosted by 'Essential Ireland Tours'

By
Stephen McPhilemy

2

Sep 17

Famous Seamus the Irish Wolfhound, mascot of Essential Ireland Tours

By
Stephen McPhilemy

08

July 16

Essential Ireland Tours & the Guinness Storehouse VIP 'Connoisseur experience'

By
Stephen McPhilemy

25

Nov 17

Epic 2018 Ireland Tour Series Launch

Essential Ireland Tours are proud to present our epic 2018 tour series.

By
Stephen McPhilemy

24

June 17

The story behind the logo of 'Essential Ireland Tours'

Essential Ireland's colours and banner inspired by the Flag of the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin

By
Stephen McPhilemy