StepsBackThruTime is a one-of-a-kind guided walking tour that takes you to ten places of intrigue within a five kilometre looped range. The tour offers an array of experienced stories for you to enjoy, including an exploration of the local flora and fauna, mindfulness sections, architectural marvels, cultural heritage points and more.
This time-traveling guided walking tour is located in the heart of the Waterford greenway and is designed to stimulate all of your senses. Your unique local tour guide will bring you on a journey of intrigue.

Delighted to be able to announce a DUNGARVAN Guided Walking Tour Experience option is NOW available.
see https://www.stepsbackthrutime.ie/about-tour/ for all current tour offerings for YOU to choose from when visiting stunning county Waterford.
Please Note, pre-Booking online is essential so I'll know to be at whichever location you choose.
KILMACTHOMAS or DUNGARVAN or Both.
Available 7 days a week, All year round.

“Time travelling guided walking tour experience that will bring you to ten points of intrigue in the heart of the
stunning Waterford greenway and Kilmacthomas that will open all the senses within a looped five-kilometre range.”

I am a new unique small tourism business setup in the heart of the Waterford greenway and Kilmacthomas region. I provide an experience that is suitable for all ages and abilities which covers a 5 kilometre looped walking route taking usually between 2 to 3 hours in time starting from the Waterford greenway carpark which is next to the Kilmacthomas Workhouse and Coach house.

It is a guided walking tour experience that I devised myself and feel passionate to share with your group.
Topics covered on the tour include:

· Mindfulness & Awareness
· Outdoor exercise
· Local Geology
· Local Heritage
· Local industries
· Structural Architecture
· Railway History
· Sporting greats
· Famous Characters
· Titanic
· Hollywood
· Infamous Characters
· Great hunger
· Local Wildlife
· Local flora
· Local Stories

Tours happen daily upon booking and times available are 9am, 12pm & 3pm. Maximum number of 15 persons per tour.
Admission cost is €15.00 per adult 12+ years and half price for children 4 to 11 years old.

How it Began
Growing up in the townland of Deelish, a few miles outside of Dungarvan town in County Waterford and nestled into the foot of the Comeragh Mountains, I was fortunate to be surrounded by an extended family with a rich history of dramatics, storytelling, Irish traditional music and step dancing. This enabled me to tap into the abundant talent that has been passed down through the generations of my family. Locally, I attended dance and music classes which allowed my siblings Brendan, Sharon, and I to entertain busloads of tourists at Bridgie Terries public house with music, chat, and laughter.

In the surrounding mountains and countryside, my imagination ran wild as I witnessed the breath taking beauty of the area. I found solace in the depths of the forest, taking mindful moments to listen to the dulcet sounds of nature,watching tadpoles grow in small ponds, or playing among the heathers and ferns with my siblings. Life was filled with both good and bad times, but overall it was fantastic.

My Growth
During the period of the Irish Celtic Tiger from 1994 to 2009, I worked diligently to pursue a career as an Architectural Technologist, while also engaging in my favourite hobbies of amateur dramatics, musicals, Irish music, and step dancing. However, the collapse of the construction industry in 2009 prompted me to reassess and utilize my skills to establish alternative income streams.

Fortunately, I seized the opportunity to join the internationally acclaimed Irish Dance Spectacular “Rhythm of the Dance” and toured with them for two years, showcasing my diverse talents across the globe. Having gained significant experience in show business, I subsequently ventured into the tourism industry in the South East of Ireland. I began my journey in Waterford City, where I was employed as a historical re-enactor and tour guide for the Waterford Treasures, showcasing the medieval museum, Bishop’s Palace, and regaling visitors with tales on the Epic Tour. Later, I transitioned to Kilkenny City, where I worked as a tour guide for both the Kilkenny ghost tours and Kilkenny cycle tours, highlighting the city’s rich medieval history and all that it has to offer visitors.

My Intuition
As a result of my various creative experiences, I became curious as to why such tours are typically limited to urban settings. This led me to consider the possibility of conducting guided walking tours in my own village, where I have resided since 2018. When Covid-19 emerged in Ireland in March 2020, travel was restricted to a five-kilometre radius, prompting me to explore the same route that I now use for my guided walking tours. Along this route, I discovered the natural beauty, geological formations, and architecturally exquisite structures in the area, as well as its potential for mindfulness and Irish heritage. I subsequently identified ten points of interest on the route and began to develop a mind map of ideas on how to setup a future guided walking tour offering to the area.

Recognizing the power of storytelling to convey the essence of the experience to my potential target audience, I
drew upon the ancient Irish tradition of Seanachaí (Old stories). To prepare for my endeavor, I visited the Kilmacthomas library and conducted extensive research on local heritage stories from books by local historians Sean and Sile Murphy related to the chosen route. I gathered as many relevant books as possible to enrich my knowledge and provide captivating anecdotes for my guided walking tour.

My Passion
In November 2020, I made the decision to enroll in a local LTI Tourism trails with Smart Media at Dunhill Multi Educational Centre. This provided me with the necessary knowledge and skills to establish the business that I had long envisioned. Following the completion of this course, I then enrolled in the VTOS Start Your Own Business program to further solidify my project and make it a tangible reality for tourists to enjoy.
In June 2022, I officially launched the prototype for the guided walking tour, and the feedback thus far has been
overwhelmingly positive. During the tour, I strive to convey my passion by sharing factual and engaging stories with the audience. The Steps Back Thru Time experience offers visitors a unique glimpse into history, complete with pivotal moments that have had both tragic and celebratory outcomes. It is my sincere hope that participants come away from the tour feeling both enlightened and exhilarated.

My Fun & Pride

Integrating entertainment into my guided walking tours is a top priority, and I make a concerted effort to engage participants of all ages with witty quotes and local folklore. My goal is to ensure that every guest fully enjoys and comprehends the experience. During the tour, I encourage questions and lively discussions on all aspects of the region of Kilmacthomas, as I believe that these debates and conversations are vital to fostering knowledge sharing and interaction.

As a proud member of the LGBTQI+ community, having come out in 2002 as a cis gay male using the pronouns
He/Him/His, I am committed to providing a safe, fair, and inclusive tourism service experience. I believe that the more businesses that adopt this national strategy in Ireland, the better the quality of life and overall well-being will be for the next generation of society. My business is guided by core principles of Equality, Respect for Diversity, Inclusion, Visibility, Collaboration, Accessibility, and Accountability. I welcome you to join one of my tours at any time by simply booking your tickets, and I will personally ensure that you have an exceptional Steps Back Thru Time guided walking tour experience.

“My Mission is to deliver an outdoor experience in a fun environment that will have the legs stretching, mind relaxed and expanding full of laughter while the heart will be aching for more on completion.”

All details and bookings for my guided walking tour experience can be seen at https://www.stepsbackthrutime.ie to Keep up to date with all the happenings & stay connected.

Stíofán Mac Cárthaigh,
Owner & tour guide