Meet The Team
Combined experience and expertise make Excursions Ireland a unique company to work for. The team works closely together to create an easy transition from office preparations to pier operations to the guest experience. With reliable pier and guide coordination staff, the team has the ability to ensure an unforgettable experience for each guest.
Get To Know Us
Niamh McCarthy
Managing Director
Niamh is the Managing Director at Excursions Ireland. With almost 30 years of experience in the Irish tourism industry and 4 years working in the onboard shore excursions department, firstly at NCL and then as a manager at Crystal Cruises, Niamh is the ideal ambassador for Ireland as a cruise destination.
Amongst other contributions, Niamh is regularly part of the team responsible for tour guide selection and training and her dedication to the success of Irish tourism is far-reaching. Niamh has been recognised in this industry by means of nominations for Ulster Bank Small Business Leader of the year and the prestigious Image Business Awards CEO of the year (twice).
A founder member of Cruise Ireland and ever present at all international Cruise trade shows and events, Niamh is synonymous with cruise in Ireland and her dedication and commitment to the industry is inspiring to all.
Carmel Doyle
Office Manager
Carmel is our longest serving member of staff. Responsible for the general management of the office together with our entire financial department, Carmel is a vital member of the Excursions Ireland Team.
With over 40 years’ experience working in a variety of industries, her wealth of knowledge is an asset to the day to day operations of a busy, high pressured environment.
Carmel not only takes her skills and experience to the office, she is also an essential participant in the pier-side operations.
Julie Lalor
Head of Business and Employee Relations
Julie has been working in outgoing and incoming tourism in Ireland since 2005.
In addition to her working experience Julie has travelled extensively throughout the world soaking up the cultures and tourism of South & North America, Australia and New Zealand amongst others and spending some time living in London, working for the BBC. She has brought the experience and knowledge that she garnered during this time to her role as Head of Business and Employee Relations at Excursions Ireland.
A completed Failte Ireland Foundation Guiding Course has provided Julie with a detailed insight into touring throughout the Island of Ireland.
Caoimhe Armstrong
Operations & Turnaround Services Director
Caoimhe began working for Excursions Ireland in June 2013 and has since progressed to her current position as Director of Operations & Turnaround Services. She has extensive knowledge of Ireland thanks to her experience in the inbound tour industry dating back to 1999, as well as a BA in Tourism.
Additionally, Caoimhe holds a Diploma in Event Management, and a Prince2 Project Management qualification which help broaden her skills. With the recent growth in Turnarounds in Ireland Caoimhe holds responsibility for ensuring the smooth operation of all logistics relating to the embark and debark of cruising guests.
She is a keen traveller and has had the opportunity to travel many countries around the world, giving her strong insight into the expectations of a tourist.
In her role as Operations Director, Caoimhe guides and supports the team throughout the year to ensure guests have an unforgettable experience in Ireland.
Ciara O’Hara
Accounts Executive
She brings vast experience to the role and is a stickler for detail. Ciara is also an avid traveller having visited many countries around the world including the remote islands of the Comoros and Madagascar amongst others
Kellie Caffrey
Senior Accounts Manager
Kellie joined Excursions Ireland in November 2022 to take on the role of Accounts Manager.
She has spent over 20 years working across several sectors and brings a vast amount of experience and a wealth of knowledge from her time spent working in a variety of Irish companies.
Kellie loves to travel and travelled the world on her own soaking up the culture and heritage of other countries before settling back in Ireland where she now has her own part in others’ experiences of travelling.
Kerrie Wade
Business & Product Development Manager
Kerrie re-joined Excursions Ireland in March 2023 as Business & Product Development Manager. Kerrie previously worked in Operations from 2018-2021, starting as an intern while in college and then progressing to Account Manager before moving on in 2021 for a role within the tech sector.
Kerrie returned to the company and is excited to look after our bespoke private tours and events and tour development. Kerrie has a B.Sc in Business and Management and graduated in 2019. She is now finishing a certificate in Digital Technologies and Project Management with Griffith College Dublin
Lisa Smith
Account Manager
Lisa joined the Excursions Ireland team in July 2021, she has a BA Hons Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Lisa has a number of years hotel experience in Front Office and Reservations before moving over to the Tourism sector working 10 years in local tourism.
Lisa enjoys travelling when the opportunity arises, walking and has a very keen interest in the Cruise industry.
As account manager, Lisa supports the team will all Ireland Logistics and a high level of customer service when dealing with clients to ensure visiting guests will have an unforgettable experience all over the island.
Ben Steenkamp
Account Manager
Ben was born and raised in The Kalahari region of South Africa. He obtained an Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management from the Institue for Hospitality Training in Cape Town and began working in a variety of hotels in South Africa before deciding to spread his wings and indeed his flare for hospitality. Those wings brought him to Ireland where he worked as Guest Relations Manager at the Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny from 2007-2009.
To further his experience both professionally and personally Ben moved from land to sea and spent 11 years with Princess Cruises. Ben has visited 84 countries at the last count and returned to Ireland in May 2022 when he joined the Excursions Ireland team.
Needless to say, travel is a major interest for Ben but he also has a keen interest in art and nature.
Denise McCann
Operations Executive
Having joined Excursions Ireland in 2022 as Tour Guide Coordinator, Denise moved into an Operations Executive role, supporting the team with the logistics involved in enhancing customer experience throughout Ireland.
After 10 years experience in hospitality and management rolesin several food and beverage outlets, Denise chose a different career path in Social Work, completing a BSc Hons Degree in Combined Social Policy and fulfilling various private and public positions in Health & Social Services for 14 years.
Denise maintained a desire to return to hospitality and became increasingly more interested in Tourism and Travel, particularly in promoting Irish Tourism. She has a very keen interest in travelling throughout Ireland and abroad, using such opportunities to fulfil her greatest hobbies of hiking and exploring.
Denise trained as a Certified Independent Travel Agent after starting a family and has been delighted to be able to make a full career move back into hospitality and tourism industry with Excursions Ireland.
Pablo Barrero
Operations Executive
Pablo has a Master-Degree in ‘Travel & Tourism Services Management’ from Morón University (Buenos Aires-Argentina) with over 15-year experience in the industry, having worked in 3 countries (Argentina; USA & Ireland) in the OTA, travel agency, tour operator, car rental, hostel, hotel, and tours-excursions side of the business bringing great traveling and service experience.
He has worked within B2B/B2C environment driving sales internationally/locally, growth, expanding revenue, managing contracts & processing FIT/corporate/group bookings and winning new target customers, partners & markets. He is a dedicated, passionate, and enthusiastic individual.
Lauren Naughton
Operations Executive
Lauren is passionate about travel and exploring new places and cultures. The travel and tourism industry allows her spontaneous and adventurous personality to shine and bring her passions to life.
Rae Wnuk
Operations Executive
She earned a BSc in Geography, Politics & International Relations, and Archaeology at University College Dublin. Coming from the Arts & Heritage Sector Rae knows all of Ireland’s best kept secrets and is eager to share her knowledge and love of the Ireland to all who visit! Rae is enthusiastic about having new experiences, giving back to her community, and travelling!
On sunny days you’ll find her out and about hiking, cycling, and trying new coffee places.
Abbie Ledden
Operations Assistant
Abbie joined the Excursions Ireland team in April 2022 as an Operations Intern as part of her degree. Abbie is currently an undergraduate student in Technological University Dublin and is in her 4th year of her B.S.C Business and Management Studies.
She has extensive experience working in a fast-paced customer service role having worked in retail for over 6 years.
Abbie’s childhood was spent travelling for various dance competitions, but she hopes to rekindle her love of travelling once she graduates, exploring the world and the variety of cultures it possesses.
Aisling Buckley
Operations Assistant
She continues to work here on a part time basis as she completes her final year in TUD.
Aisling has a keen interest in seeing the world, seeing new cultures, and trying new food of course.
Aisling has exciting plans to travel Asia this summer when she finishes her exams.
Taylor Caffrey
Operations Executive
Taylor joined Excursions Ireland in November of 2022 having worked as Cabin Crew for the previous 3 years. Taylor has a passion for all things travel & tourism related.
She has a BA in Tourism Management and has also worked for Ryanair and American Airlines but now it is time to get her feet back on Irish soil (or Irish sea at least!)