Dublin The Wicklow Mountains Ballyknocken Cork Kerry KildareGalway

This tour takes you from the vibrant streets of Dublin to the picturesque Wicklow Mountains, where the natural beauty will enchant you. Immerse yourself in the tranquillity of Ballyknocken and the grandeur of Powerscourt. As we venture to Cork, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the historic Blarney Castle and the breathtaking landscapes of Kerry. Experience the culinary delights of Ballymaloe and savour the rich heritage of Foynes. Your journey continues to the vibrant city of Galway, the wild landscapes of Connemara, and the ancient wonders of Clonmacnoise, before concluding in the serene beauty of County Kildare.

Itinerary Highlights

  • Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites
  • Localised Food Tours
  • Learn about the history of Guinness
  • Explore stunning scenery
  • Ballymaloe Cookery School experience

What’s included

  • Private tours for most included activities
  • Meet & greet airport service
  • Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
  • Expert guides in each destination

flexibility

This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.

09

Nights

Price Guide

$POA

Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more

Day 1

Fly to Dublin

plan line
Day 1

Arrive in Dublin

On arrival today, you are met and privately transferred to the hotel. The remainder of the day is spent at leisure after the flight. You may wish to join your local guide on an afternoon orientation tour of the Irish capital. This tour includes visiting Trinity College Library to see the Book of Kells. Created in Ireland in the 8th century, this book is the most remarkable example of an illuminated manuscript that survived the Middle Ages.

A Taste of Ireland
A Taste of Ireland
Day 2

Food Tour & Guinness Storehouse

This morning, meet an expert on Irish cuisine for a walking tour of the city centre. The expert will discuss the development of eating habits in Ireland and the contemporary food scene in the 21st Century. The tour will include visits to various outlets to see how food is presented in stores in Dublin. Product tasting is, of course, included.
The outlets include a cheese store, a traditional butcher and a shop selling delicious cakes.
After a light lunch, take a panoramic tour of Dublin that passes the statue-lined O’Connell Street, the Georgian squares, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the President’s palace in Phoenix Park. Not surprisingly, the tour ends at the Guinness Storehouse, home to Ireland’s most celebrated export. Here, you are treated to a tour of the Storehouse, where this unusually dry stout’s history and production methods are relayed. As part of the tour, learn how to pour a perfect pint of Guinness – which can be enjoyed afterwards!

Day 3

The Wicklow Mountains – Ballyknocken & Powerscourt

Following the gourmet treats of last night, today it is back to basics. Drive south from Dublin into the Wicklow Mountains region, and head to the renowned Ballyknocken House, Farm and Cookery School. Here you learn about the basics of Irish cooking. The experience includes a hands-on class on how to make perfect Irish soda scones and a demonstration of how to make a traditional Irish stew using local lamb from the surrounding mountains. A rustic farmer’s lunch is then taken in the hay barn, followed by a tasting of whiskey.
This afternoon, return to Dublin, stopping en route at Powerscourt House, where one of the finest landscape gardens in Ireland can be admired. The evening is at leisure to dine independently in one of the many fine establishments Dublin has to offer.

A Taste of Ireland
A Taste of Ireland
Day 4

English Market & Blarney Castle

This morning we drive to Dublin’s Heuston train station to board a train to Cork, the principal city in the south of Ireland. After a journey of nearly three hours, arrive at Kent Station and drive straight to the English Market, ironically one of the most noted food markets in Ireland. Inside the market hall there is a huge range of Irish produce available for sale, from meat and fish to fruit and vegetables. Lunch is taken at the Farmgate Café, overlooking the hall, where fresh local ingredients are used in the carefully prepared dishes. After checking into your hotel, your tour director leads an excursion to Blarney Castle. This 15th-century tower house is famed for the eponymous stone set in the parapet that is said to give the ‘Gift of the Gab’ to anyone who kisses it.
This evening, drive to the picturesque coastal village of Kinsale for dinner. This village is often considered to be the gourmet capital of Ireland on account of the large number of restaurants located here.

Day 5

West Cork – Local Cheese & Fish – Kenmare

Leave the hotel this morning for a journey west into the region known as West Cork which extends over to the bays of the Atlantic Coast. This area has become well established as a leading centre for artisanal cheeses including Durrus, Milleens and Gubbeen. You stop at one of the factories to learn about cheese making in this area and to enjoy the fresh produce.


Your route then leads us along the Beara Peninsula to Castletownbere, the leading port in Ireland for white fish landing. Hear about the importance of the fishing industry to the local economy before enjoying a lunch of freshly caught fish in a local hostelry.


This afternoon, drive over the Caha Mountains to the colourful town of Kenmare where there is time to shop for souvenirs. Return to Cork via the Old Kenmare Road, a section of the fabled Ring of Kerry that cuts through the beautiful Killarney National Park.

A Taste of Ireland
A Taste of Ireland
Day 6

Ballymaloe Cookery School

Today is spent at Ballymaloe. Run by legendary chef Darina Allen, this is unquestionably the most celebrated cookery school in Ireland. After arrival, the chefs offer a demonstration on the techniques used in preparing quality dishes from Irish ingredients. Then it’s time for work as you are given the opportunity to make the dishes yourself.
At the end of the session enjoy the fruits of your labour in well-deserved late lunch, after which you take a tour of the extensive gardens of the school where all the vegetables and herbs used in the courses are grown.
You return to the hotel past Midleton, home to one of the world’s largest distilleries. The majority of spirits from Ireland are distilled here, including Jameson’s

Day 7

Cork – Foynes – Ennis

Leave Cork this morning and drive north across the dairy country of Counties Cork and Limerick, before reaching the estuary of the River Shannon, the longest river in the British Isles. On the southern shore is Foynes, an otherwise unremarkable town that was the site of the first commercial transatlantic passenger service arrival in 1939. The plane used was a Boeing 314 ‘Flying Boat’. Although no original specimen has survived, you visit the replica that has been constructed to experience these early flying conditions.
Although short-lived, the main legacy of Foynes is Irish coffee. In 1942, Joe Sheridan decided that transatlantic passengers needed something stronger than ordinary coffee to revive them after the flight, and so introduced the original Irish coffee. Learn how to make proper Irish coffee in a master class using Irish whiskey and fresh local cream.
Lunch is served at nearby Glin Castle, an 18th-century mansion overlooking the estuary in the company of the Knight of Glin, the owner of the property. This afternoon, cross the Shannon by ferry and continue north to the Cliffs of Moher, one of the most iconic sites in Europe. These sandstone cliffs drop 400 feet into the Atlantic, and offer a magnificent spectacle.
Your route leads past Galway Bay, home to some of the finest oyster beds in Europe. Continue to your hotel in Ennis. Dinner this evening is a la carte in your hotel.

A Taste of Ireland
A Taste of Ireland
Day 8

Connemara

This morning you drive west into the unspoiled region of Connemara. This is one of the principal areas in Ireland where salmon is fished in the rivers, and as a consequence smoked salmon is one of the main products from this area. Visit the Connemara Smokehouse, where the proprietors welcome us and show us how salmon is filleted and prepared for the delicate smoking that imparts a distinctive flavour. Samples are of course included.
Lunch is taken nearby at Errisbeg House, a delightful property surrounded by peaceful gardens. Richard, the seventh Duke de Stacpoole, is your host, and he reveals how a French ducal family came to own this idyllic property.
This afternoon, continue to the Twelve Bens of the Connemara National Park, and down to Killary harbour, now home to Ireland’s mussel farming industry. Return to the hotel from here.
This evening drive to Clarinbridge for dinner at Moran’s Oyster Cottage where guests may sample the famous oysters reared in Galway Bay, or a wide range of alternative seafood dishes.

Day 9

Galway – Clonmacnoise – County Kildare

You leave your hotel this morning and head east across County Galway until you reach the River Shannon once more. On the banks of the river, in an isolated but beautiful setting, are the ruins of Clonmacnoise, one of the most important medieval monastic sites in Europe.
After a guided tour of the site, board a boat on the River Shannon and cruise north through the crossing town of Athone onto Lough Ree, one of the two large lakes on the River Shannon. Lunch is enjoyed at the Wineport Lodge on the shores of the lake.
This afternoon continue across the flat midlands of Ireland to Kilbeggan, home to a ’boutique’ whiskey distillery, owned by Cooley, the main independent whiskey distiller in Ireland. An in-house expert leads you on a tour over the small plant where the liquor is produced, before tasting the brands of whiskey the distiller has to offer.

A Taste of Ireland
Day 10

Depart Dublin

A note on price

The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.

Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).

Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.

Price Guide $POA

When to travel

jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec

The weather in Ireland is generally mild and rainy throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 20°C. The best time to travel to Ireland is during the summer months of June to August when temperatures are warmer, and the days are longer. This is also the peak tourist season, so expect larger crowds and higher prices. If you prefer a quieter and more affordable trip, consider traveling during the shoulder seasons of April to May or September to October when the weather is still pleasant, and there are fewer crowds.

Add on’s

After indulging in the culinary delights of Ireland, you may want to consider continuing your European adventure by exploring the diverse and vibrant food scenes in other countries. From the rich culinary traditions of Italy to the hearty and flavorful dishes of Spain, Europe offers a tantalizing array of food experiences for every palate. Whether you’re drawn to the aromatic spices of the Mediterranean or the comfort of hearty stews in Eastern Europe, the continent is a treasure trove of gastronomic wonders waiting to be discovered.

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