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FAQs

We are Specialist Travel Consultants for Ireland providing tour packages and tailor made tour experiences in Ireland, focusing on Counties Cork and Kerry. We are based in Blarney, Co Cork, Ireland.
All bookings in the set packages are based on 2 people sharing on those dates given. If you have more than six people we class you as a group. In each of the set packages we can take a maximum of 10 people. We can cater for groups of up to 30 people in tailor made packages. We can customise a package for your specific dates and cater for small groups in a mini-bus.
We charge in Euros which is the local currency. We can also quote you for the chosen package in US or UK Pound but due to currency fluctuations the final price to be paid at booking time may vary slightly. If you need a rate in other currencies please ask in the email.
The main airports in Ireland are in Dublin, Shannon, Cork and Belfast with smaller airports in Waterford, Kerry, Knock and Donegal. Car hire can be arranged from any airport and returned to a different airport, with a one way fee payable. There are motorways between the main cities in Ireland with Dublin being three hours drive from Cork. Ferry services from the UK to Ireland operate into Dublin, Rosslare and Belfast. Trains run hourly from Dublin to Cork taking about three hours.
We can organise the following transport for travel in Ireland: Rental car Chauffeur driven car Mini Bus (with or without driver).
We recommend manual transmission cars, as they are best for Irish roads. Automatic cars are available on request. Car hire is assumed to be from Cork airport, but hire from elsewhere can be arranged on request at time of booking. You are responsible for the car insurance and excess and you must have your driver& insurance, drivers licence with you. Please sign all relevant forms when picking up the car. For further information look at the Driving in Ireland page.**

What Type of Car Hire

Type of Car- We recommend manual transmission cars, as they are best for Irish roads. Automatic cars are available on request. 
Time - Car hire is assumed to be from Cork airport, but hire from elsewhere can be arranged on request at time of booking. The Car can be dropped off to another airport for a one way fee. We will charge per day and to the hour with a 25 minutes grace period on return.

Age  -The car hire you can receive depends on the age of the driver for drivers under 25. For customers aged  between 75 – 79 years can rent with specific conditions :- 

  1. Must drive regularly & hold a current motor insurance policy.
  2. Provide a letter from their doctor to state that they have been in good health and have been for  at least 12 months.
  3. Provide a letter from their insurers to state that they have not been involved in any incidents in the last 5 years. in your possession on car pick
  4. Driving Licence - You must hold a valid for at least 2 years or more at time of rental  and have in your possession on car pick. Carry with you at all times when driving in Ireland. Provisional or Learner drivers or seriously endorsed licence holders are not eligible to rent a vehicle e.g drink driving disqualification

Insurance - You are responsible for the car insurance and excess The following insurances are included in the Activity Days – Standard Inclusive Programme:-  Compulsory Motor Insurance, Collision Damage Waiver ( CDW ), Theft Protection ( TP ), Compulsory Motor Insurance     (by Irish Law, the car hire company must provide Insurance for any damage to any other vehicle / Property or Injury to another person, including death ).

Standard Incl Package - On the “ Standard Inclusive “  programme the excess of €1,600 to €3,000 based on type of car hired and will be explained when collecting the hire car

Curtis and Hooper would like to advise customers that they can choose any of the following from the car hire company when collecting the car and the customer can choose which optional extra insurance to purchase when picking up the car. 

  • Compulsory Motor (Insurance for damage or repairs to the hire car car Collision Damage Waiver  (Collision Damage Waiver ( CDW ) means the  driver is insured in relation to  -Damage to the rental vehicle subject to the damage excess to be paid by the  Renter.
  • Theft Protection - Theft Protection ( TP ) is included in the Standard Inclusive Programme with Insurance for the rental vehicle in the event it is stolen, subject to    the damage excess to be paid by the car 

Renter. 

Additional Driver - An additional driver can be added to the car hire when picking up the car, once the person has their drivers license. 

Credit card deposit - A Credit card will be needed by the car hire company to the car hire company is mandatory to cover toll Fees, Speed camera’s, parking offences etc.  The renter is fully responsible for all fines and consequence s of the violation of traffic and parking fines inquire during the rental. 

For further information look at the Driving in Ireland page.

The Car hire arrangement is between the customer and hire company. We recommend that customers familiarise white the car before driving and noting any damage or defect to the car on the form provided by the rental company and bringing to the attention of the staff of the car company.

The Irish motorway network is limited to routes linking the main cities. Other roads vary in size and quality. Travel is safe, if sometimes slow. ( link to motorway map of Ireland)**
Accommodation – The accommodation provided is either in hotels (with breakfast included) or in bed and breakfast establishments. We use the words Select and Economy in our accommodation provision. We book the hotels in each area for views, character or proximity to an activity. The Select hotels are the best available in the area and Economy refers to a hotel with a lower star rating or a Bed and Breakfast establishment, usually run by a family. All rooms are en-suite and for two people, unless otherwise specified. For single occupancy a supplement applies so travel with friend if you can. We can book hotels with swimming pools, fitness centres or spa treatment if requested in advance and available in the area. We request rooms to be ready for your arrival but most hotels don’t guarantee room availability until 3pm. Luggage can be stored with the hotel porter service until your room is ready. The information pack contains vouchers with all details of each accommodation and its location.
At the time of booking you can request another hotel night prior to the trip or at the end of the trip. This will ensure you start your trip refreshed. We can also book a hotel room close to the airport after the trip if you have an early flight the following morning.
In each area we have put together a list of the best local restaurants, pubs, music venues and places of interest. We can book places in advance for you, or you can choose when and where to go. We also know where to get the best picnic food in each area, and can pre-order for you. We want you to have the best possible time in Ireland.
The packages include car hire, accommodation in Hotels or B&B’s and local guides. If there is a choice of activity you must specify the activity at the time of booking . Some activities may be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Your safety is always our greatest consideration and our guides will always be aware of local conditions.
Flights are not included as part of the trip. Meals or drinks are not provided as part of the trip. We can book picnics or recommend our favourite local restaurants in advance of your arrival. Medical expenses, entrance fees to theatres, museums or parks are not included. Any extra optional activities you wish to do during your holiday are not included. Gratuities are not included.
For groups of 2-6 people a 40% deposit is required on booking. For 7+ people a 25% booking deposit is required. Any booking can be changed up to 6 weeks before departure of the trip. Please note your deposit is non-refundable. For Tailor Made Tours we require a deposit of €500 to put the package together for you. This amount will be used for research and putting the Tailor Made package together and be part of the payment for the trip. A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when the company sends a confirmation. It is at this point that a contract between the company and the client comes into existence. Once we receive your deposit and having accepted your booking form, the contract between us will become binding and we will send you an invoice for the balance and advise you of the date for payment of the same.
The balance of the money due including any surcharges must be paid to the Company or their agents not later than 56 days prior to departure. In the case of non-payment of the balance by the due date the company reserves the right to cancel your booking and cancellation charges will apply.
You will need a valid Passport with a visa (https://www.dfa.ie/travel/visas/visas-for-ireland/ for entry to Ireland which is an EU Country. For car hire a full driver’s license will need to be presented to the car hire company. If you wish to drive a mini-bus with 8 or more passengers the Department of Transport in Ireland. Please contact for adivse If you are under 25 years or over 70years of age the car hire company has particular conditions and other documents you need to provide when collecting the reserved hire car. The restrictions include the car size and power level you can rent.
We do not provide a satnav as part of the car rental but they can be booked in advance for an extra fee. Child car seats can be booked in advance as well as booster seats for older children.
We book the car hire, accommodation and guides but you choose the route to get there. We recommend a route but it is up to you which driving route you take. If you have particular places you want to visit in Ireland please ask us for advise and information on the area.
There is no minimum age for the trip but all those taking part in activities must be 10 years or older. All party members between 10-18 years of age must be accompanied by a guardian while participating in activities arranged by us.
Activities which include walking are graded into five categories based on the fitness level needed for that activity. These are the grades determined by the Irish National Trails Office. Please confirm you have attained that level of fitness before booking an activity. The fitness level is from 1-5 and answering yes does not automatically exclude a person from the activity, but our Guides must be made aware at time of booking. LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY 1 Multi Access Flat smooth trail suitable for all people, including those with reduced mobility, wheelchair users, for older people, visually impaired and those on crutches 2 Easy Be able to walk on smooth surfaces, with some gentle slopes and family groups. Footwear must be enclosed outdoor footwear 3 Moderate A reasonable level of fitness is required with walking shoes and clothing. There may be some uphill climbing off road where the ground is rough. 4 Strenuous Physically demanding trails which have some steep climbs for long periods (over 1 hour). A high level of fitness is required as well as specific walking shoes and clothing. 5 Very Difficult Need to be very fit and a competent mountain walker with experience. The terrain may be variable and rough underfoot.
After payment for the trip is received we will send you vouchers for the different elements of the trip, maps of the area, things to do and details on suitable clothing and footwear for the activities. We ask you to sign a form stating you are fit enough for each activity. If you do have an accident before getting to Ireland then please let us know so we can change the activities to suit your needs. While you are in Ireland we are available to answer any questions you may have or advise on any difficulty you may encounter.
We organise the activities with all safety equipment provided and must be worn. We give you details of the clothing and footwear needed for specific activities, as these may not be provided. The correct footwear and clothing are essential for activities. Footwear with a treaded sole and ankle support and walking boots are best. Clothing should be layered, colourful, warm, windproof and waterproof, including hat and gloves. A rucksack, sunscreen, waterproof cover for your phone, tablet device or camera are all advisable.
You can book a top quality set of Golf clubs (Callaway or similar brand) in men’s, ladies’ or left handed clubs. There is a rental fee per day or part of day and a deposit of €500 in the form of credit card details, which will only be activated if clubs are not returned. The clubs are collected by the client at our Golf Partner shop near Cork Airport and returned to one of their shops in Cork, Limerick or Dublin. We book the courses on our list during your 3 or 5 day trip. If there are other courses you wish to play we can negotiate with the local course for you. We book accommodation close to the courses. we can also arrange for you to play two courses on the same day if you wish.
We have 3 types of cycling holidays. 1 Hire a car and collect a bicycle at different places on your trip to do loop cycle trips. 2 Guided cycling trips where you are transported to meet your guide and bicycle who accompany you during the full trip. We organise transport back to the airport in private or public transport. Self guided cycling as the only method of transport on a one way trip. We pick you up at the start of the trip, take you to the bicycle centre and you cycle on a self guided tour. We will book accommodation and activities added along the route for you. You can carry the luggage or we can organise local transport each day. At the end of the one way trip we transport the bicycle back to where it was rented from. There will be a booking deposit credit card on the bicycle, which will not be cashed except in case of damage or loss of the bicycle and equipment. We can arrange for local cycling guides to meet you along the way at an extra charge if you wish. Remember to bring the correct footwear, clothing and rainwear for your trip.
We are the expert on the south of Ireland, specifically Cork and Kerry. We can also book accommodation and activities in other parts of Ireland not yet on our formal offering. Just ask and we may know the local experts in other areas of the country.
We advise you to take out travel insurance before booking this trip, as we do not provide insurance cover in case of accident. If you need to cancel due to illness please note the terms regarding the Deposit in no 2.10 in Terms and Conditions.
For Tailor Made groups of 2-6 people a 50% deposit is required on booking, for 7+ people a 25% deposit is required. Any changes to booking can be made as long 6 weeks notice is given, then booking can be changed. Any changes made less than prior to departure then customer must pay 100% payment for numbers booked. Curtis and Hooper.ie will therefor charge for full amount owed on credit card/ laser that booking was made on for full 100% amount of booking
While you are in Ireland we are available to answer any questions you may have or advise on any issues you encounter, during office hours.
Contact Curtis and Hooper by phone during office hours GMT 9am to 6pm on +353 87 412 9698 or email us . Let us know what time it suits to phone you back in your time zone. We will probably have the answer and be able to advise you on your trip ideas and wishes.
Curtis and Hooper book local accommodation in small communities and work with local guides who know the area best. We provide information for you on the best local pubs, restaurants, music venues and other attractions. All money spent locally in Ireland supports the local community. The B&B owner will serve you locally produced ingredients at breakfast. The pub will serve local beers and have musicians who live in the area. The restaurant may have national awards, but will always use the best local fish, meat and artisan ingredients. The cafe or shop keeper will sell sandwiches made with ingredients from the area. You could say we are focused on the locals in Ireland
We appreciate the beautiful unspoilt Irish countryside. We practice the 7 principles of Leave No Trace :- Plan ahead and Prepare Be Considerate of Others Respect Farm Animals & Wildlife Travel and Camp on Durable Ground Leave what you find. Dispose of Water properly Mininise the effects of Fire http://www.leavenotraceireland.org