Ruairi Keogh, who does ‘Best Dublin Walking Tours’, traded his life in public relations for the special secrets and hidden gems of Ireland’s capital.
Speaking to the Irish Independent outside Leo Burdock’s Fish and Chips restaurant, he told us about his new job that involves art, culture, history, food and drink.
“Tour guiding is my midlife crisis job; I had a corporate career. I decided to go in a whole different direction, and I wanted to turn my hobby into a job,” he said.
“I’m a fifth generation Dubliner, there were a few phases where I lived and worked abroad but Dublin is home and I love it.
“I do food tours and if they want to do the bacon and cabbage and corned beef, yes, I’ll do it, but I try and introduce them to what we actually eat in the city rather than what we pretend to eat.
“I’ll always send every guest a list of recommendations in advance for food, drink, sightseeing and a few tips that can save them some money.
“The only pubs that I would drink in in Temple Bar are The Ha’Penny Bridge Inn and the Palace Bar. I would avoid all of the traps.
“I bring people to bars I would drink myself, like Grogan’s Castle Lounge and Stags Head, places that have a story, a history and reason to be there. I really enjoy it; I enjoy meeting people.
“Sometimes you get people who are very into their history, I do some very historical tours but if to somebody who’s got a particular interest and it’s not my expertise, we’re quite a collegiate group.
“I love American tourists because they have an enthusiasm about being here, particularly the elderly Americans.
“I have guests from all around the world and I get them through my website. I’m very fortunate that I get recommended, I’ll typically get a phone call or WhatsApp with somebody saying, ‘do you remember Michael who was with you last November, he recommended you.’”
Going back to last November, Ruairi found himself in a spot of trouble during the day of the riots in Dublin when he was on a walking tour.
“The riots were a big concern for me, but it hasn’t been as negative as I thought. I’ll ask people if they saw it or heard about it when I’m doing a tour.
“I was out on tour at the time, and I had a group at the Ha’Penny Bridge, and we could see a bus burning on O’Connell Bridge. I had to get them back to their hotel and they went through the side door.
“I’ve always made an effort to demonstrate that the riots were less political and more just thuggery and opportunists than political movements,” he added.