How Gerry Grealish Found Balance Through Tour and Taste Galway

For Carnmore's Gerry Grealish, becoming a tour guide has given him a sense of connection to his career and a more positive work-life balance. The entrepreneur founded Tour and Taste Galway, carving a niche in the industry by promoting the traditional and eclectic culinary delights of the city. 

Having spent most of his adult life as a sales representative, he took a leap of faith to embark on a new path, for both family and health reasons. Living in Carnmore, near Galway airport, Gerry has deep roots to his community. 

"There are many, many hundreds of Grealish-es in that direction," he quips "and I've grown up and lived there all my life.

“I made a decision about six months prior to lockdown to finally do a tour guiding course,” he explains, recounting the pivotal moment when he knew it was time for a change. 

A One Man Band

Working with a food tour company, Gerry gained valuable experience. However, when the global pandemic hit, it came to a halt. He saw this as an opportunity to pursue his passion and become what he describes as "a one man band."  

With encouragement from his wife, Maureen, whose background in business management provided the support and guidance he needed, he launched his own venture: Tour and Taste Galway.

It started as a way to combine his love for Galway’s history and food culture with his desire for a more fulfilling and balanced life.  

The concept was simple yet effective—offering walking tours that showcased the best of Galway’s food, drink, and heritage. But more than just a business, it became a way for Gerry to reconnect with his roots and share that connection with others.

“I came up with the idea of doing food tours as we were coming out of lockdown,” Gerry explains, "creating the logo, website and social media."

“I received huge encouragement from my wife. She has been brilliant. It’s been a slow burn along the way, but the venues have been fantastic support.”

Traditional Hospitality

These tours, which include stops at Monroe’s, Busker Brownes, Taylors, and Murphy’s Ice Cream, have grown into a unique experience that mixes traditional Galway hospitality with modern tastes. Gerry has even expanded his offerings with a new walking tasting tour, featuring exclusive partnerships with Hyde, Trieste Wine Bar, and O'Connell’s.

“It’s the stories, the connection—the exclusive gins, craft beers, range of whiskeys, and locally sourced food,” Gerry says, describing what makes his tours special. 

Work-Life Balance 

One of the key aspects of Gerry's new career is the work-life balance it allows. 

“I do walking tours in the morning, Monday to Saturday,” he shares. "I’m able to drop the guys to school in the morning and sometimes pick them up in the afternoons. Sundays is a family day.”

This new routine has not only allowed Gerry to spend more time with his family but also to pursue a healthier lifestyle. By structuring his tours, he’s able to dedicate time to family commitments, personal well-being, and the small joys of everyday life.

Building Friendships Through Business

His tours have become more than a new career path—they’ve become a way to build connections. 

“Some of the people you meet have extraordinary stories,” he notes. “I’ve even met cousins of mine—we traced our heritage right back, and we were related.”

For him, these interactions are the heart of his business. Every tour is a chance to meet new people, share stories, and create memories. 

"I’m not overloading the tour with too much history," he explains, "we’re keeping it light. People have said it’s like sitting down and breaking bread. 

"By the time the three hours are finished, you are friends with the people around you. They want to know about me, my life in Galway and family life. Sometimes, they take on a life of their own."

For more log on to: tourandtastegalway.ie