Tour Guide – Part Time

The Dublin City and Environs Tour Guide Programme is a QQI Level 6 qualification aimed at those who wish to train as a Tourist Guide. This course combines practical tour guiding skills with the theoretical knowledge to enable learners to provide guiding and tour management services for tourists.  Learners will explore the historic, cultural and social aspects of the city and the region.  They will learn how to provide a commentary and organise and manage a tour. Practical experience will be gained through a series of simulated guided tours. This course meets the criteria for the Failte Ireland Regional Tour Guide Badge and successful students will automatically receive this upon graduation.

This programme is ideally suited to a person seeking flexibility with a career where they can choose the times of the year they wish to work. The main tourist season is from March to October however with rising tourist numbers, tour guides can now avail of employment opportunities all year round. Portobello Institute supports students with their efforts to gain employment as tour guides by introducing them to the major tour operators. Many past graduates  have been recruited directly from this programme by the main tour operators in Ireland.

The Role of the Tour Guide

• Manage the experience in a positive and safe manner with control over important aspects of the tour and redundancy plans in place.
• Inform through storytelling and tactile involvement in what should be an honest but favourable picture of the country/area.
• Entertain your guests and leave them with a memorable and enjoyable experience they will share with others.
• Safety is paramount so keep it in mind throughout your planning and the execution of your tour

This programme runs for twelve weeks ,two evenings a week, Monday and Thursday from 6:30-9:30. There are also 5 weekend dates (either Saturday or Sunday) where students participate in practical tour guiding sessions to gain experience delivering and managing a tour.