Martina Hayden

I'm based in

Co. Kilkenny

It's Nice To Meet You

With over 30 years’ experience in the travel business and the last 15 years as a Travel Counsellor, I am delighted to turn your holidays dreams into reality, ensuring the whole experience will be enjoyable and stress free from start to finish.

I am passionate about travel and have had the travel bug from an early age giving me first-hand knowledge from inter-railing around Europe and back packing around Australia and South East Asia, South Africa , Sri Lanka , Maldives and most recently an anniversary trip to Thailand and family holidaying in Florida. I have been lucky enough to visit the Pyramids in Egypt, Seen the big 5 in Kenya, visited Malaysia, Thailand, honeymooned in the Canadian Rockies, met Mickey Mouse in Orlando and Santa in Lapland. Far from my back-packing days, I have cruised in the Caribbean and Europe and drank cocktails in Atlantis The Palm in Dubai.

Working from home means I can offer an exceptional confidential service to ensure your trip meets and far exceeds your expectations and I am available at a time that suits you - be it evenings or weekends. Operating with over 21 Destination management companies in different countries around the world, together we create authentic experiences that build lasting memories for our clients. Be it a Thai cookery class, trekking for Gorillas in Borneo or a simply a romantic meal on the beach watching the sunset it’s the little things that make all the difference!

I specialise in honeymoons, cruising and family holidays and I can tailor-make itineraries to suit your requirements to make that special once in a lifetime trip one to remember.

Travel Counsellors uses award winning technology. With the latest development of our mobile App “My TC”, your customer experience will be enhanced like never before; enabling you to keep in touch with me at anytime, anywhere in the world and stores all or your travel documentation.

Travel Counsellors are licensed and bonded with the Commission for Aviation Regulation in Ireland which gives you that added peace of mind.
For the best personal service, give me a call or send me an email.

I look forward to hearing from you.

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Experience  Business Class

Experience Business Class

Flying Business Class can completely change how you start and end a holiday. On my own journeys to South Africa, Thailand and Sri Lanka, I have seen first‑hand how lie‑flat beds, lounges and priority services help you arrive rested instead of exhausted

01 Feb 2026 5   min read

South Africa  5 Star Western Cape

South Africa 5 Star Western Cape

Western Cape 5 Star Experience I was lucky enough to experience the very best of South Africa’s Western Cape on this incredible 5 star journey. Here is a more bite sized version that still gives a real feel for the trip.

01 Feb 2026 5   min read

Breathtaking Sri Lanka

Breathtaking Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a tropical paradise offering lush rainforests, pristine beaches, ancient temples, and vibrant culture, all wrapped in breathtaking landscapes waiting to be explored. Being offered a place on a familiarisation trip to Sri Lanka, long on my bucket list it was an incredible opportunity, we packed a lot into just seven nights, but it was the perfect taster of how lucky I was to experien

27 May 2025 5   min read

SEASIDE LOS JAMEOS PLAYA SUMMER HOLIDAYS 2019

SEASIDE LOS JAMEOS PLAYA SUMMER HOLIDAYS 2019

After a busy year, this was one holiday I was really looking forward to! Our family holiday or what my husband calls is ‘A mammy’s holiday!’ did exactly what it says on the tin! We have been on mobile home holidays for the last few years and were really looking forward to returning to the Los Jameos Playa after spending many years holidaying there when our kids were young. They always want to go

07 Aug 2019 5   min read

New York New York Family Aventure

New York New York Family Aventure

I have been to New York a few times but a family trip to New York was on my wish list for quite a while and now with my kids now 16, 15 and 12 it felt like the perfect time to go. I picked February midterm to travel as it was good value for both flights and hotels. January and February can get quite cold in New York, but we went prepared and set off on our 4 nights/5-days adventure to the city tha

16 May 2019 5   min read

Amazing  Mexico

Amazing Mexico

Six colleagues and I travelled to the amazing Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico visiting the hectic resort of Cancun as well as the quieter resorts of Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos and Tulum to sample some of what Mexico has to offer. We visited all the hotels in the AM Resorts Group and there is a hotel to suit every customer and budget, whether it is a honeymoon, romantic getaway, family hotel o

10 Jan 2013 5   min read

Malaysia Pearl of the Orient

Malaysia Pearl of the Orient

Malaysia is one of my favourite countries in the Far East, from the fascinating capital of Kuala Lumpar, known simply as KL to the beautiful islands of Langkawi and Penang. KUALA LUMPAR. On arrival in KL airport we headed to the city centre by train which took about 45 minutes. I stayed in the 5 star deluxe Shangri La which is in the famous area called the Golden Triangle. Here you find all

05 Mar 2012 5   min read

Lanzarote

Lanzarote

This is my 5th visit to Lanzarote one of the most popular of the Canary Islands, especially with the Irish holidaymaker. There are departures from Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Knock in the summer months. The accommodation is of a very good standard ranging from your basic apartment to your 5 star hotels (very few of these are high rise). The main resort is Puerto del Carmen with its palm tree

12 Apr 2010 5   min read

Disney Resort Paris

Disney Resort Paris

I travelled to Disneyland Resort (Eurodisney) in December for a 3 night / 4 day stay with my two children aged 5 and 6 (left the baby at home) and my brother and his 2 children of the same age. We flew from Dublin to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and then took the shuttle to our hotel which took about 40 minutes. There are12 hotels in all so there is one to suit everyone, 6

08 Apr 2010 5   min read

Beautiful Cascais  and Lisbon Coast

Beautiful Cascais and Lisbon Coast

Cascais is only 40 minutes from Lisbon Airport, with daily flights from Dublin. This is my second visit to this part of Portugal and it will not be my last, I love this little resort! With its winding cobbled streets, outdoor cafes, restaurants serving the most amazing food, little beaches and a beautiful harbour filled with yachts and fishing boats. It also has a smart new marina. What bet

08 Apr 2010 5   min read

Martina was very knowledgeable and helpful in planning our holiday.

Patrick H

Kilkenny

Just make a booking with Martina again. She booked our honeymoon back in 1993 and we use her every year. Our daughter booked her honeymoon with Martina last year. We could not recommend the knowledge, insight, service and range of quality holidays Martins can offer. Thanks so much Martina

June W

Kilkenny

I found Martina was so helpful as this is our first cruise. She went above and beyond to give us so much information. I really liked the personal touch and being available to ask any questions. I most definitely will be using Martina again and will also not hesitate to recommend her to family and friends. Keep up the great work Martina looking forward to doing business with you again very soon.

P J O Neill

Kilkenny

Great advice! Looks after us so well!! Every time!!

Emma H

Kilkenny

Martina is amazing. She has changed how we travel. Martina is always so obliging and professional. We highly recommend Martina to family and friends.

Ian F

Kilkenny

Martina has always been so helpful and accommodating with all of my travel plans. She really makes the whole process hassle free and easy. I would recommend her to anyone planning a holiday!

Tom Cantwell

Kilkenny

Martina is fantastic at picking the right hotel for my family each year. Her level of knowledge of the various locations is brilliant and we have had a great holidays each time. She is very personable and always going 'above and beyond' to ensure we have the right location and requirements. Thanks Martina for all your help - I look forward to using your services again and I will continue to refer your services where possible!

Suzanne Freeman

KIlkenny

Martina is always very pleasant. Always contactable. Always picks the holiday that suits the customer. I would recommend her to my family and friends.

Michelle Neary

Kilkenny

Martina provides a total end to end solution - she really thinks of everything. Her attention to detail and her drive to give her clients a truly memorable experience matching and in fact exceeding expectations is second to none. We highly recommend Martina and Travel Counsellors.

Seamus Osborne

Carlow

Why use the thousands of words I could use in describing my wonderful experience of Martina and her professionalism delivered with graciousness when one word will do - EXCELLENT!

Mary Sheill

Carlow

Every second year I take a team away to the United States. We have one week of martial arts competitions and a second destination for a second week. Martina works very hard to get us fantastic prices on our trip and organises any additional requests we have. She goes out of her way to make sure everything is perfect for our trips. I would recommend her to anyone that's looking for the best service available for all your travel needs.

Mags Heffernan

Kilkenny

Martina is my first port of call for all holidays and trips. She makes everything so easy and importantly for me child friendly. We booked Disneyland Paris in 2013 with her and have booked again for 2015 because our first trip was just perfect. Martina has also planned a trip to Australia for us which went like clockwork and numerous summer holidays. I wouldn't go to anyone else and would highly recommend her to everyone.

Sarah Millea

Kilkenny

Even with all the options to self book holidays I would not go without the experitise of Martina. It takes all the worry out of travelling. We go back time and time again to her and will do again next year.

Siobhan O'Brien

Kilkenny

Many thanks for arranging our holiday to US and Canada. From the first time we made contact you were excellent, always available to answer our questions, change our dates, offer different options and all with excellent prices. I have already recommended you to a number of friends and will continue to do so. Wishing you every success in the future .

Des Woods

Kilkenny

I spoke with Martina in connection with a holiday and she suggested some very good places for us with the information I had given her. We booked our holiday for this June in Spain with Martina's help.You could email her about it and any queries at anytime day or night and she was always at the end of the phone. Martina is a lovely friendly pleasant woman to deal with and I have recommended her to some of my work colleagues and friends to speak to when booking their holidays. The service was great and I would deal with Martina in the future.

Michelle Neary

Co. Kilkenny

I would highly recommend Martina for booking your holiday. She has great knowledge of holiday locations and what will suit your needs and budget. Martina is very efficient and very easy to deal with. She keeps in constant contact with you and will always give you an answer to any question which you ask. This is our third time to book a holiday with Martina and will continue to book with Martina for holidays in the future.

Kathy Keating

kilkenny

Recently booked our holiday through Martina with Travel Counsellors, She was extremely helpful and efficient and sourced a good value, nice location, sun holiday for us. I will most definitely be contacting her for future bookings. Highly reccomend her services.

Suzanne Fitzgerald

Rathdowney

Martina is exemplary at her job, she is very organised, efficient and friendly with a huge amount of experience. Any dramas Martina can sort and this is so reassuring.

Kate Coffey

Kilkenny

We have (yet again) booked our holiday with Martina, effortlessly and enjoyably as Martina has done all the work! Her enthusiasm for looking for the perfect family holiday is a delight and we cannot recommend her enough. I have yet to go on a holiday that I did not enjoy as Martina excels at looking for something for the whole family. I am booking holidays with Martina since 1999, says it all!

Carmel Everard

Co. Kilkenny

Martina was recommended by a friend and we booked London through her back in April. The peace of mind knowing everything was taken care off was great. All emails answered promptly with all questions answered and additional info always included. Since then I have booked New York for New Year, she did absolutely everything and more wouldn't leave Ireland again unless it's through Martina. Best customer service recieved in years!

Ciara Jones

Dublin

I just wanted to tell people about the fantastic service I got from the Travel Counsellor. It was the best yet I've got when booking a family holiday. Not only at the time of booking but Martina even checked up on us when we came back from holiday to make sure everything went ok. Would use her again; great service, Chris.

Chris Hayes

Kilkenny

Martina did an excellent job booking our holiday. She was a pleasure to deal with making sure everything was perfect before she booked. Will definitely be booking our holiday with her next year. The personal service Martina gives would definitely encourage me to book through her again and recommend her to family and friends.

Majella Martin

Kilkenny

I cannot thank Martina enough for all of the help she gave us in planning our trip to Australia. She had really considered that we were travelling with a one year old and made it as easy as possible by choosing night time flights for us. The accomodation that she booked was perfect and in great locations. I will never book a holiday with any one else and I will recommend her highly to everyone.

Sarah Millea

Kilkenny

We  Create Memories to last a lifetime

We Create Memories to last a lifetime

We Create memories

12 Apr 2021

Barbados

Barbados

Barbados a prefect destination with Aer Lingus flying in 2021

12 Apr 2021

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056 7712557
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