Adam Ladd
“Tour guiding is a career I and many others accidently fall into but never leave. Getting to meet new people from around the world and show off our beautiful island is the best job anyone could ask for! I hope to instil my enthusiasm into my students and enable them to become expert tour guides in their own right.”
About Adam Ladd
I entered UCD as a student with no real idea of what I wanted to do with my working life. Four years, and a degree and master’s in Irish history later, I was still non the wiser. I saw a job as a tour guide online and figured it would do me for a summer of work, that was a over decade ago, so safe to say I found my niche.
I’ve worked initially with the Office of Public Works and the National Museum at Collin’s Barracks before going freelance self-employed. Since then, I’ve brought tens of thousands of people around Dublin and the island – from the Ring of Kerry to the Cliffs of Moher and up to the Giants Causeway. I enjoy it so much I feel like I should be paying my clients!
Teaching Philosophy
My philosophy as a lecturer in tour guiding is focused on the skillset and attributes required to work as a tour guide. Many people are hyper focused on learning content knowledge, but I train people to become tour guides, not historians. The two, whilst related, are separate fields. I want my students to know how to present, be personable and make their clients feel at ease. This skillset is what is important, taking the complex information but relaying it in a fun, interesting and digestible manner. I believe that by applying those concepts to my classes it will shine through in my students when they embark on their guiding career.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts in History and Politics
Master of Arts in History and Media
National Tour Guide Badge
