Sharon Tiernan-Murphy Travel Counsellors Ireland

Sharon Tiernan-Murphy Travel Counsellors Ireland As your personal Travel Counsellor with over 30 years of experience I plan, organise and book your dream holidays. Meath.

Offering genuine one to one support and expert advice from our first chat until you return home along with 24/7 support while you travel. My name is Sharon Tiernan-Murphy and I am your Personal Travel Counsellor based in Duleek Co. I joined Travel Counsellors in February 2015 and look forward to helping customers find the perfect holiday based on your needs and requirements. Travel Counsellors is a home-based business and our main goal is to offer customers the highest level of professional and personalised service. Being at home enables me to work with you at your convenience whether that be weekend or evenings or at a specific time subject to your schedule. I will always arrange an appointment time to discuss your enquiry first. To date I have 29 years experience working in the Travel Industry and bring a wealth of information with me. I have worked with all types of customers including both leisure and corporate. I have an array of experience of booking families, couples, solo travellers, groups, and honeymoons. I can help you with anything from a European beach holiday to a long-haul exotic vacation. I have booked many cruises including my own so I have first hand experience to guide you. What ever your requirements are let me take the hassle out of you scouring through websites trying to find something that your not sure about. I can guide you in the right direction backed up with a friendly personalised service and support on offer. You will also have the comfort of knowing that you are booking with a fully licensed and bonded company which means your money is protected. Travel Counsellors are licensed and bonded with the Irish Aviation Authority, licence No TA621. Don't hesitate to get in contact with me today by phone on 041 9882038 or email
[email protected] to request a consultation. I very much look forward to dealing with you.

How to get the best from your holiday enquiry!To really maximise value and choice, here is what I recommend;Firm up your...
11/09/2026

How to get the best from your holiday enquiry!

To really maximise value and choice, here is what I recommend;

Firm up your dates first. Check school holidays, work leave and key family events. Once your dates are reasonably certain, that is the perfect time to start detailed holiday planning.

Be clear about your priorities and decide what really matters, but don't worry I will talk through all of this with you in detail and I know the questions to ask.
Be ready to book when we find “the one”. If your proposal meets your wish‑list,
fits your budget, has the availability you need. Then being ready to say “YES” allows you to lock it in before it disappears.

Use a trusted Travel Professional who is experienced and licensed and bonded.
My role is not just to find you the cheapest price, instead, I protect your holiday.
Match you with the right destination and property for you and your wishes.
Help you spread the cost sensibly by booking at the right time.
Look after your holiday from start to finish.

Thank you for following along, if you have any questions or if you, or someone you know, is thinking about a holiday and wondering when to book, I am here to guide you through the options and timing so you can secure the right trip with confidence.

Travel Counsellors is licensed and bonded with the IAA.

11/09/2026

Today is a special one for me as I celebrate my birthday on the 11th of September, and it has me reflecting on a place that’s very close to my heart, New York City.

It feels like the perfect day to share a little of its magic from the sparkle of the skyline to the timeless grace of the Statue of Liberty, this city is a reminder of hope, resilience and new beginnings.

May it inspire you to dream big, travel often and say yes to that trip you’ve been thinking about.

Here’s to making the most of every journey, and to the places that capture our hearts.

“Just Looking For Ideas” And Why Timing Really Matters.While I promise there is never any issue with having a detailed c...
10/09/2026

“Just Looking For Ideas” And Why Timing Really Matters.

While I promise there is never any issue with having a detailed chat and getting fabulous inspiration, another situation that can easily lead to disappointment is example 2.

A person might be only looking for ideas and ballpark prices, yet not planning to book for quite a while, or hoping to travel beyond the 10–11 month flight loading window.

To give you a realistic price, I still need to:
A. Search flights and hotels.
B. Check room types and board basis options.
C. Build a proper, detailed proposal.

This takes genuine time and expertise. However, any price I give at that stage is only indicative for those sample dates. By the time, flights are actually loaded for your real dates, or you are truly ready to commit, the prices and availability can look completely different. It is very easy to fall in love with an option that simply may not be replicated when the time comes to book.

A good rule of thumb, lets enjoy inspirational chats ( I truly love to chat about travel), however, for proper proposals it truly is best to wait until official availability is loaded. That way you will receive a much more accurate itinerary with fewer compromises and far less disappointment.

Why Timing Really Matters!Example 1.Mr Blogs (totally fictitious name 😉) enquires about a family holiday in July or Augu...
10/09/2026

Why Timing Really Matters!

Example 1.
Mr Blogs (totally fictitious name 😉) enquires about a family holiday in July or August (peak season) with very specific requirements.

A two‑bedroom apartment, a children’s club for three children, close to the beach and the nearest town. Waterslides and evening entertainment. I go to work and find an excellent option:

The hotel is a great fit.
The price is good for peak season.
Availability is there, including the right room type.
Mr Blogs is thrilled… but he is not ready to book.

He hasn't checked his holiday dates with work, nor confirmed dates with “Mrs Blog”, who knows the family diary. He needs 2–3 weeks to be sure before he can commit.

This is where the problems start. By the time Mr Blogs comes back ready to book:
The hotel is fully booked or the family room is gone.
The flight price has gone up.
We are back to square one, with fewer options and higher costs.

We are both very disappointed, because we had the right holiday at the right price, but held off committing.

A good rule of thumb is to check the finer details before you begin looking into a potential holiday. Make sure your dates and preferences are clear. If you skip this step and “just see what’s out there”, you can easily fall in love with a holiday which may no longer be available.

“What If I Book And Then the Price Comes Down?”This is another very understandable worry. You have committed, you are pa...
09/09/2026

“What If I Book And Then the Price Comes Down?”
This is another very understandable worry. You have committed, you are paying off your holiday, and suddenly people are talking about a sale. 🫣

My honest advice is, once you have secured the right holiday at a price you are happy with, stop obsessively checking prices.

Here is why:
1. You booked because the price, hotel and dates worked for you.
2. You have secured your place, your room type and your flights.
3. You are paying off instalments and most likely have most of it paid by now.
Constantly re‑checking can only create stress and “what ifs”, not more enjoyment.

Could a price drop happen? Occasionally, yes.
An airline might introduce a seat sale.
A hotel might offer a promotion for different dates, room types or a different board basis.

However, those reductions are always subject to limited availability.
Often do not apply to peak holiday/school dates.
Can be for different fare types or room categories than the one you have secured.
Are rarely as dramatic as people imagine once you look at the genuine like‑for‑like comparison.

So my advice is simple. Be content with your well chosen, secured holiday and allow yourself to be happy. Think of it as securing a great table at a popular restaurant on your preferred night, rather than waiting outside hoping someone cancels so you can save a few euro on the bill.

You are the one sitting in the restaurant, looking out the window at the queue enjoying your fabulous evening!

Should I Wait To See If the Price Comes Down?”This is probably the most common dilemma. My honest answer is that no one ...
08/09/2026

Should I Wait To See If the Price Comes Down?”
This is probably the most common dilemma. My honest answer is that no one can guarantee whether a particular flight or hotel will go up or down on a given date.

So I encourage you to focus on what you can control: Ask yourself:
1. Are you happy with the price you have now?
2. Does the holiday tick your key boxes for dates, destination, hotel, room type, board basis, flights?
3. Would you be disappointed if you lost this specific option?

If you can genuinely answer yes, then my professional advice is to go ahead and book.

Booking early gives you:
1. Security as your hotel, flights and room type are reserved.
2. Choice with family rooms, suites and the most popular resorts are more likely to be available.
3. Time: more months to spread the cost in manageable instalments.
4. Peace of mind as you can stop searching and start looking forward to your trip.

If you decide to “wait and see”, you need to be comfortable with the risks that come with that choice. The Real Risks of Waiting are:

Hotel availability changes, rooms are being booked all the time. That 2‑ or 3‑bedroom apartment you need will not sit empty waiting for you to decide.

Flights can increase as the cheaper fare “steps” sell out, you move up the ladder to the higher-priced bands. Even if the flight does not sell out completely, the remaining seats may be significantly more expensive than when you first enquired.

Rule of thumb: Don't Delay Book Today!

When Is the Best Time To Book Your Holiday?Truthfully, anytime is the best time to book a holiday, however, have you eve...
07/09/2026

When Is the Best Time To Book Your Holiday?

Truthfully, anytime is the best time to book a holiday, however, have you ever wondered whether to book now or wait for a better deal? You are certainly not alone. I am asked this all the time.

The honest truth is: there is no magic day when holidays are always cheapest, and no crystal ball to predict the perfect price. But there are clear patterns in how flights and hotels are priced, and understanding these can save you stress, disappointment and, very often, money.

How Flight Pricing Really Works:
Airlines typically load their flight schedules around 10–11 months before departure. Once those flights are loaded, all the seats are available and the “pricing ladder” begins.

Seats are sold in price bands with the lowest band being the cheapest.
As seats sell out, the system automatically moves to the next, more expensive band. For example:
Step 1: 10 seats at the lowest fare
Step 2: the next 10 seats at a higher fare
Step 3: another 10 seats higher again, and so on.

If you book when flights are first loaded, you are far more likely to secure those lower‑priced seats. As time passes and more people book, you move up the ladder and the same flight on the same day becomes more expensive. So while prices can move up and down for many reasons, as a rule of thumb, early bookers are rewarded with better fares and better choice.

Hotel Availability Works The Same Way:
That room you really need will not sit patiently waiting for you to make up your mind. The most in‑demand room types are always the first to disappear: 2‑bedroom apartments for larger families, interconnecting rooms, sea‑view or swim‑up suites and those gorgeous private‑pool options. There are usually only a handful of these in each hotel.

While you are checking with work, comparing dates or “sleeping on it”, someone else can quite literally click “book” and take the last one. The hotel might still have standard rooms left, but that perfect setup that ticked all your boxes could be gone. So if you find the right room, in the right hotel, on dates that work and at a price you are comfortable with, my best advice is: secure it. In today’s market, hesitation is often what costs you the holiday you really wanted, not what saves you money.

Ever wondered if there’s a right time to book your holiday… or if you should just wait and hope for a miracle deal to dr...
05/09/2026

Ever wondered if there’s a right time to book your holiday… or if you should just wait and hope for a miracle deal to drop into your lap?

Next week I’m lifting the lid on some of the biggest booking questions I get asked, including:

“When is the best time to book?”
“Should I wait and see if the price comes down?”
“What if I book and the prices comes down later?”
“Why timing really matters?”
PLUS
How to get the best from your holiday enquiry.

I’ll be sharing simple, honest advice to help you avoid the classic booking pitfalls and give yourself the best chance of getting the holiday you actually want from the right hotel, the right room type, best flights and the right price for you.

If you’re thinking about a trip in the next year, keep an eye on my page over the coming days… it might just save you money, stress and a lot of “we should have booked it when we saw it” regrets.

05/09/2026

From epic ocean adventures to chic river sailings. Cruise Month is your moment to discover the world in effortless style.

Let me match you with the perfect ship, itinerary and accommodation for the way you love to travel.

September IS Cruise Month.

[email protected]

04/09/2026

Celebrate Cruise Month with me! 🚢
From sunrises at sea to exploring new cities and unwinding on deck, I’ve spent the last year sailing on some incredible ships and I can’t wait to share them with you. If this inspires your next escape, I’m here to help you find the perfect cruise.

Address

Co. Meath
Meath

Telephone

+353419882038

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sharon Tiernan-Murphy Travel Counsellors Ireland posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Sharon Tiernan-Murphy Travel Counsellors Ireland:

Shortcuts

Share

Category