About Us

aatgi is the Association of Approved Tourist Guides of Ireland (Cumann na dTreoraithe Formheasta do Thurasóirí in Eirinn) and is the professional association of Tourist Guides who are approved by Failte Ireland and FETAC (Further Education and Training Awards Council).

Founded in 1977 aatgi is the professional body representing the needs of National, City and Regional Guides in Ireland. Our current membership is 200. aatgi plays a representative role in the guiding sector and is a member of the Federation of European Tourist Guide Associations (FEG).

• Membership of aatgi offers the following benefits and services: our Find a Guide Service places guides on city, local and extended tours. Many overseas operators are now using this service to source guides and the service is free of charge to them.
• Members are listed in our annual Directory:aatgi issues a Directory of Approved Tourist Guides to the industry and their details are also posted on the website.
• Membership and Identity Card: aatgi is the only body issuing ID cards to approved tourist guides in Ireland. Recommended Minimum Rates: We issue rate cards annually to the trade recommending minimum rates for tours, both in English and foreign languages.
• Insurance cover: Member-to-member personal accident and public liability insurance is included in our membership fee to cover loss of earnings due to accidents.
• On-going education: We have a commitment to on-going training and education, and throughout the off-season we organise regular lectures and day trips for our members. Lectures are free of charge to members and costs are kept to a minimum for day tours. We also organise Ongoing Professional Training (OPT) annually.
• Annual weekend: A weekend familiarisation trip takes place annually to gain a more in depth knowledge of selected areas. It is also an ideal opportunity to get to know your colleagues.
• Newsletter: A newsletter is issued periodically to all our members to update them on the latest events within the organisation and in the industry.
• Representation on the Steering Committee: aatgi is represented on the committee that regulates our industry, together with representatives from Failte Ireland, ITOA (Incoming Tour Operators' Association) and FETAC.
• AGM: We have our Annual General Meeting in November of each year.
• Please note: our role is to put prospective employers in touch with our members to engage their services in tourist guiding, tour management, conference and incentive work. We do not offer services such as arranging accommodation transport, etc.

ASSOCIATION OF APPROVED TOURIST GUIDES OF IRELAND Committee for 2010

• GEORGINA BOYLAN : PRESIDENT
• ILONA MADDEN : VICE PRESIDENT & SECRETARY
• FRANCOIS TESSIER : TREASURER
• BARBARA HUNTER : WEBSITE & MARKETING
• DAVE HARRINGTON: DIRECTORY MEMBERSHIP
• PADRAIC OBEIRN: NEWSLETTER AND FEG
• JUTTA SHANNON: FAM TRIP
• CHARLOTTE JEHANO: REGIONAL
• BOB HANLEY: PR- Officer
• MARY CLISSMAN: Committee Advisor
• MARGARITA GRUBER: OPT, OUTINGS AND LECTURES