An Irish Journey Like No Other - The Cliff Walk Tour of Howth was simply exceptional. John the Man takes you on a journey that only a true local would know, along the less traveled paths, bringing you to incredible views and sites as he shares the history of the area and weaves in captivating poetry. John’s knowledge of Ireland is impressive, but the way he shares it with you is the best part. Rather than provide a stodgy lecture session, John invites you into his country with humor, kindness and a passion for history through his engaging storytelling and charming wit. By the time the tour was finished, we had found a new friend. After further inquiry, we learned of other tours that John offers, including a one-of-a-kind Dublin pub tour that gives you insight into the role the traditional pub played in Irish civic life and its importance to Irish historical events as well as Irish communities. You’re going to want to book this pub tour too! Since we were on a roll and thoroughly enjoying our time with John, we also booked a couple of additional specially curated tours that John put together based on input from our group about our particular interests. So, John took us on a beautiful cemetery tour, as well as a half-day in Glendalough along with a sheepdog exhibition at a farm in County Wicklow. Each event that John created for us catered to our expressed interests and made our overall trip to Ireland so much more memorable than your run of the mill tours. If you are looking to truly connect with Ireland and its people, don’t hesitate to book a tour with John. The luck of the Irish somehow brought us to John and this bit of luck enriched our Irish Adventure in ways we could not have even imagined.

Great local guide - We thoroughly enjoyed our day with John. He is an excellent guide. He showed us sights on Howth that we would never have found on our own. He is extremely knowledgable on Irish culture and heritage and eager to share that knowledge. He was extremely helpful in arranging transportation for folks unused to the train system. Would definitely recommend his tour to everyone. FYI- he also has a pub tour in Dublin that takes you to lesser known venues with live music and great atmosphere and again, very knowledgable about the history and culture. John- thank you again for everything, you made a wonderful impression on us and on our trip to Ireland!

Trip to howrh - Excellent guide and experience. Knowledgeable, poet, and super friendly to everyone he passes a great day in howth. Thanks

Lots of laughter on our tour of Howth, with John the man! - John was our guide today, he was absolutely brilliant! We had a fun filled day with John. His story telling combined with historical references, kept us entertained throughout the beautiful walk and tour of Howth! One of the best guides we’ve ever had. We will always remember our day in Howth with John the Man! Cheers to you, John!

The Hidden Gems of Ireland, Brought to Life by John the Man - Our tour with John the Man in Howth was nothing short of spectacular. It was one of the absolute best days we had during our trip to Ireland. John's deep knowledge of Irish history, his captivating storytelling, and even his own poetry made the day feel like something out of a movie. What made it truly special was how personal and immersive he made the experience. He didn't just take us to the popular spots — he guided us through hidden gems that felt untouched and magical. One of those places was hands down the most beautiful location we've ever visited in Ireland. It was peaceful, stunning, and something we never would have discovered on our own. John has a unique talent for making you feel connected — not just to the landscape, but to the soul of Ireland itself. Whether reciting one of his original poems or sharing a quiet moment overlooking the cliffs, he brings the place to life. If you're looking for a tour that goes beyond the usual and into the extraordinary, book this one. John is a legend — and for good reason.

One of the main highlights of the trip! - Our walking tour with John was endlessly entertaining and enriching, and the views were some of the best in our entire Ireland vacation. I would recommend it to anyone needing a break from the hustle and bustle of Dublin proper. One of the main highlights of the trip for sure!

Walk through Howth's rich history, alongside John The Man - One of the highest of many high points of our Irish vacation in Feb 2025. Take a walk (plus a look and a listen) through the harbor and cliffs of Howth alongside John "The Man" O'Connor. John will serve as your guide, orator, joke teller, photographer, and possibly even your driver -- depending on the size of your group. If you're lucky -- or you ask -- John can regale you with one of his original poems, impressively & crisply recited from memory. His family and nickname date back generations in the fishing village of Howth. If you have a question about Howth, Dublin, or Ireland -- he's The Man. Our party was small, so we caught a lift by John from Dublin to The Summit in Howth, making a scenic stop along the way at St Anne's Park and the Tree of Life, where we heard some rich historical narratives about the people and events of each location. John helped us get return train tickets to Dublin from the Howth station, providing all the directions/guidance, and timetables one could need. Once we reached the Summit, we had a view of Baily lighthouse and Dublin Bay. John led us along the Green Route Cliff Walk north, past the EIRE 6 signs from WW2, winding down to the eastern cliffs (very scenic). He provided the commentary, took the photos, & was generally great company. The tour closed near the ruins of St. Mary's Abbey, dating back to Sitric in 1042 and we joined John for a pint, some food, and live traditional Irish music at a coastal pub. Our experience started a little before 10AM and we were exiting the train in Dublin City by 3PM. Will highly recommend this walking tour to friends and family of all ages (John will adjust the rigor and length based on his audience). 10/10

John the man is the best tour guide in Howth - Highly recommend John the man and his howth walking tour. He is so knowledgeable and friendly and really gives you a inside perspective on Ireland and Howth. He gave a tour in January 2025 and would love to take any other tour he offers. 10 out of 10.

Experience of my trip - John the Man truly lives up to his name. We ran into him waiting for the bus and he proceeded to give us the best tour! The views were incredible, great story telling, beautiful poetry. What an amazing experience. Cannot recommend enough. A must do. Really made my trip to Ireland.

True professional - A great historian and even better storyteller. Fun, safe, customized tour with way too much laughter. We feel lucky to have found John.