Adrian Metcalfe – Gaining a Tour Guide Qualification with 30 Years of Experience

Adrian Metcalfe from Kinsale, Co. Cork spent thirty years dividing his time between being an actor and being a tour guide all over Europe leading tours for US guests before gaining Portobello Institute’s Tour Guide qualification.

Adrian wanted to ‘formalise’ his work with a qualification to back up his years of experience and expertise while connecting with Ireland.

“As I was growing older, I could see that more and more of my work was coming in my ‘homelands’ (I am a Celt with an Irish mother and Welsh father) and as such formalising this work with a qualification was a natural progression.

“My passion is storytelling; the art of storytelling is inherent in the course. It was very pleasurable indeed. I learnt loads but more importantly, I made friends too. To paraphrase Shakespeare; there were two grand things: the tutor and the cohort group,” he said. 

Adrian is working in the career he wants and now holds the qualification to back up what he does.

“I’m self-employed as a tourist guide. Introducing travellers from an individual to a large group basis to the aspects of Irish history, culture and foods that they would struggle to discover without an expert hand leading them.

“Gaining this qualification has made me a better guide, and as such has improved my exposure and reach. I love working with people. I am not good with technology and calculations. As such this role is perfect for my needs! 

“Every day is different, which is one of the reasons it is so satisfying. However, it could mean waking up in Dublin and going to bed in Cork, having taken people to Kildare and Blarney on the way!” he said. 

Get in Contact

If you are interested in choosing the course for the career you want, you can book a consultation call with our expert Travel & Tourism advisor Brandon McLean here, email [email protected] or call 01 892 0035.