TIERNAN TRAVEL

ABOUT US

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

 

What Destinations do you handle?

UK (England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland) & Ireland.

What services will we book?

We handle all ground arrangements from touchdown to take off. That includes accommodation, car rental, driver/guide, activities, entrances and any special experiences.

Do we have a minimum budget?

For our services, we recommend starting at 600 per person per day during high season for a self-drive trip. There’s some flexibility in the off-season, especially if you’re exploring lesser-known areas.

Can you arrange special experiences?

Of course! We’ve got connections with unique experience providers and can set up the kind of experiences you didn’t even know you wanted. Just give us the scoop on your client’s interests (and budget), and we’ll take care of the rest.

Will you book accommodation portion only?

Our hotel contracts require us to package services together, so we don’t do à la carte hotel bookings.

Will you book chauffeur services only?

Occasionally, depending on the booking size and our current volume. We generally handle full itineraries and prioritize our guides for those clients.

What type of hotels do you work with?

We work with 4- and 5-star properties, offering everything from chic city hotels to boutique inns, grand manor houses, country estates, luxury resorts, castle stays and even private rentals

Are you a part of Virtuoso, Signature or Travel Leaders Network etc.?

Not at the moment, but we can usually request amenities or arrange alternatives for our consortia member advisors. We prefer focusing on competitive pricing for now.

Can you offer commissionable pricing?

Yes! Let us know upfront if you prefer commissionable or NET rates. We pay out commission after final payment, provided there are no pending changes, or shortly after the client’s travel.

What currency do you operate in?

We price in local currency—either Euro or GBP—depending on the destination.

What is your turnaround time?

Typically, we respond within 48 hours, sometimes even faster. If we’re swamped, we’ll keep you in the loop.

What if I am unfamiliar with the destination?

No worries—that’s where we shine! You know the client; we know the destination.

How does the payment work?

We require a 20% deposit at booking, with the balance due 30 days before departure.

WELCOME TO TIERNAN TRAVEL

Let me introduce myself. I was born in Riga, Latvia, a country with strong Baltic winds and rich heritage. I had the privilege of attending a gymnasium that emphasised languages, including Latin. However, I must admit that I would not remember a word of it now!

At the age of 13, I moved to Ireland, where I experienced a complete culture and accent shock. Despite having an impressive command of the English language, I felt that my skills were rendered useless due to the strong accents and unusual phrases. But I was determined to succeed.

After finishing secondary school in Co. Kildare, I attended the Technological University of Dublin, where I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Marketing. I have always been passionate about tourism and travel, and my original dream was to become an exotic travel agent and explore the world. However, I landed a job in an incoming DMC, which quickly became my first love and passion for many years.

Eventually, I wanted to try something different and briefly worked in sales and marketing for a luxury hotel chain in Ireland. Unfortunately, I quickly realised that the job was not for me. However, I don’t regret taking the job, as this is where I met my husband, and we went on to have two beautiful children.

After leaving the hotel industry, I returned to working in the DMC industry, eventually establishing my own company with my values and work ethics. I believed that by being true to myself, I could build value and get customers. Surprisingly, this approach worked, and since then, Tiernan Travel has been thriving and growing every year.

At Tiernan Travel, we believe in providing a unique and personalised travel experience for each and every one of our clients. So, whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or a family vacation, we’ll make sure that your trip is unforgettable!

DEDICATED TRAVEL TEAM

To make travel a joyful experience, one must have a cluster of resources at hand. We have an abundance of talented people who can pull all our assets together to create for you the perfect luxury vacation.

Kristine

Kristine Bileskalne

FOUNDER & LEADING TRAVEL DESIGNER

Let’s break the ice, shall we? I’m originally from Riga, Latvia, a place where the Baltic winds blow fiercely, and the heritage runs deep. I went to a gymnasium that was really into languages – yes, even Latin. Not that it did me any good because I couldn’t translate a single word of it now!

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At 13, I made the great leap to Ireland, where I was met with a crash course in culture and an accent that made me question if I even spoke English at all! My impeccable English skills? Completely lost in translation. But I wasn’t going to let a little linguistic whirlwind stop me.

I wrapped up secondary school in Co. Kildare and headed off to the Technological University of Dublin, where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Marketing. My dream was to become an exotic travel agent, jet-setting around the globe. But fate had other plans – I found myself in an incoming DMC, and let’s just say, it was love at first itinerary.

Then, thinking I’d try something new, I took a detour into sales and marketing for a luxury hotel chain. Spoiler alert: I quickly realized that this was *not* my calling. But hey, silver linings! That’s where I met my husband, and we went on to have two amazing kids.

I eventually found my way back to the DMC world and decided to do things my way, setting up my own company based on my values and work ethic. I figured if I stayed true to myself, people would come – and guess what? They did! Tiernan Travel has been thriving and growing ever since.

At Tiernan Travel, we’re all about crafting unique, personalized travel experiences. Whether you’re planning a romantic escape or a family adventure, we’ll make sure it’s unforgettable – because life’s too short for ordinary vacations!

Sean

SEAN TIERNAN

MANAGING DIRECTOR & ACCOUNTS

Meet Sean, straight out of Louisburgh, Co. Mayo, where he grew up as one of five kids on a family farm right by the ocean. The sound of the sea is his happy soundtrack — there’s just something about those waves that keeps him zen.

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With a degree in Quantity Surveying and a stint in IT at the Galway Institute of Technology, Sean quickly realised that spreadsheets and coding weren’t his calling. Instead, he followed his heart into hospitality, where he discovered his true passion — meeting people, swapping stories, and creating great experiences!

Sean’s other love? Cooking! He can whip up just about anything in the kitchen, much to the delight of his wife Kristine, who happily enjoys his culinary masterpieces from the comfort of her desk.

Oh, and by the way, Sean’s the guy who makes sure all our suppliers and agents get paid on time — because a happy supplier is a well-fed one!

Gillian Watson

TRAVEL DESIGNER

I grew up in South Africa, starting in Johannesburg with its afternoon thunderstorms and mild high veld climate. I also lived along the coast – from the tropical warmth of Natal to the Western Cape’s Mediterranean charm, with hot summers and rainy winters. It was a vibrant upbringing filled with diverse cultures, stunning landscapes, and a complex history. My favourite place? The bush veld, where the wildlife and natural beauty never fail to amaze me.

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I studied both Dietetics and Cheffing because, quite simply, food is my passion!

The kitchen is my happy place. I love experimenting with recipes and flavors, and there’s nothing better than watching someone enjoy a dish I’ve made. I’m also a fan of dining out, discovering new restaurants, and sharing food adventures with friends. Outside of my food obsession, I enjoy puzzles, murder mysteries, and spending time in nature.

Whenever I travel, I make it a point to visit local libraries and bookstores. I love bringing home a book as a keepsake – my own little travel souvenir collection. And believe it or not, I absolutely love the rain!

I’m all about crafting off-the-beaten-path itineraries, where clients get to explore beyond the tourist spots and experience true local culture. Working with local guides to bring these unique adventures to life is my favorite part!

Zach Jones

Group Operations Manager.

Straight outta Shropshire, West Midlands!

I studied at University of Nottingham, where I majored in Geography and mapped my way to greatness!
Fun Fact: *When I’m not literally fiddling around, I’m either rocking out with an Irish folk band or stealing scenes with my local theatre troupe!

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Ultimate Foodie Fave: Fish and chips – the true taste of British cuisine!

I’m all about organizing epic group trips – the bigger, the better!  And Wales will always have my heart; I spent a year there after graduating and fell in love with its charm!

Finola Rigby

OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

Originally from Basingstoke, Hampshire!

When she’s not dazzling us at work, Fin is busy conquering the culinary world with her cooking skills, enjoying life with her amazing partner, or binge-watching TV shows like a true pro. She’s also a proud plant mom, with a growing collection of green babies!

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Her favorite food? Pretty much everything!  But if she had to choose, she’d go for a juicy medium-rare fillet steak, dripping with Roquefort butter, alongside creamy spinach, crispy frites, and a delicious tarte tatin for dessert. Food coma, anyone?

When she’s not whipping up something tasty, Finola channels her love for adventure into planning epic tours to remote spots, castle stays, and even fantasy-inspired getaways straight out of “Game of Thrones” or “Harry Potter.”

And just to spice things up – Finola used to run a business with her partner, creating bespoke concrete décor, irresistible candles, and luxurious bath goodies!

Stephen

STEPHEN PROBERT

OPERATIONS ASSISTANT

Originally from Kent, South East England.

Steve, a travel industry veteran who brings a treasure trove of experience to Tiernan Travel. With stints in Germany, the UK, Malaysia, and Thailand, Steve has a well-traveled take on global trends and what makes travelers tick. Whether it’s flights, hotels, or any ground arrangements, he’s got it covered.

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Steve has a soft spot for Thai food, a passion he picked up from his Thai wife, whose culinary skills could turn anyone into a foodie!

Beyond travel, Steve is a geopolitics enthusiast who loves to dive into discussions on how the world’s events shape our journeys. When he’s not navigating the travel landscape, you’ll find him cheering on his favorite Formula 1 team or enjoying quality time with his son, Robert.