Traveling through Ireland will awaken the senses, but no experience is as enriching and educating as that of participating in one of our many historic sightseeing and cultural experiential tours. Whether by rail, foot or motorcoach, Brendan Vacations Travel Directors, chauffeurs and guides have perfected the story-telling and information-sharing experience to allow every visitor to take away memorable and interesting learnings from the variety of historical and natural wonders that are available in Ireland.

Rathbaun Farm

This visit will take you to a picturesque farmhouse in beautiful Galway, where you will be introduced to the workings of a real traditional Irish farm. Along with a delightful serving of tea and coffee, you will truly enjoy this beautiful setting and a day of fun is sure to be had!

Visitors to Rathbaun Farm will be enchanted by its thatched cottage home, turf fire, stonewalls and animals. The Connolly family has been farming the 80 acres of land for over 200 years and Fintan Connolly continues this tradition today. Get a glimpse into the daily workings of sheep farming, with plenty of time to explore the farmyard, talk to the family and feed the lambs. Guests will also be treated by a warm Irish welcome by Frances and her team.

Cobh Heritage Center & Museums

Irish heritage comes alive in the many beautiful and well-preserved museum and cultural centers in Ireland. Whether you have Irish ancestry or not, the multitude of culturally-rich museums, galleries and heritage centers welcome all to explore the country’s vibrant past. From Celtic roots to modern-day achievements, Brendan Vacations can reveal the most notable of museums and cultural centers. One not to miss destination is the Cobh Heritage Center in Cobh, Co. Cork. Americans with Irish roots will find the many stories of emigration and the important role of Queenstown, key to their Ireland visit experience.

Titanic Experience Belfast
Visit the Titanic Quarter, Harland and Wolff, Titanic's drawing offices, the building of the Titanic signature project, HMS Caroline, Titanic's Dock and Pump-House.

Operates: Daily; Apr-Sep; open 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; Oct-Mar; open 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., closed Mondays and holidays; set aside 2 hours for visit
Price per Person from: $23

Flying Boat Museum
The Foynes Flying Boat Museum, housed in the original terminal building in Foynes, recalls that nostalgic era when Foynes became the center of the aviation world from 1937 to 1945.
Included in our Tastes & Tales of Ireland, Treasures of Ireland-South and All of Ireland Guided Vacations

Operates: Daily; Mar-Oct; open 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Price per Person from: $17

Valley of the Kings and Newgrange

Visit the ancient tombs of Newgrange, predating the Egyptian Pyramids by 1,000 years. See the site of the Battle of Boyne and the Old High Crosses at Monasterboice.

Operates: Mon, Tue, Fri; 10:00a.m.; 7 hours
Price per Person from: $48

Notre Dame Vs. Navy Football Game

For more information, refer either to our "Ireland & Scotland" Guided and Customized Vacations 2012 brochure or please contact our Irish specialists at (800) 421-8446.

Nowhere does the Irish experience come more alive than in an iconic brewery or pub. Here locals and visitors alike gather and mingle, savoring in a much-cherished pint and enjoy local fare and music. In every corner of Ireland you will find charming pubs, and in Dublin, discover how the masters have brewed the country’s national brew, Guinness, by visiting Ireland’s top attraction, the Guinness Storehouse.

Guinness Storehouse

A fermentation plant at St. James's Gate Brewery has been transformed into a place where you can experience one of the world's best-known brands in a totally unexpected way. It's the Home, Heart and Soul of Guinness. Experience the famous brew yourself in the Tasting Laboratory. Take in spectacular views of Dublin city from the Gravity Bar which boasts 360 degree views of Ireland's Fair City. The Guiness Storehouse is located in the heart of the busy, bustling cultural city of Dublin. It's only a short walk or bus ride from the city center. Getting there is easy. Leaving will be harder......

Operates: Daily; 1 hour, self guided tour, plus your time in the Gravity Bar
Price per Person from: $17

Old Jameson Distillery Tour

A tour guaranteed not only to entertain, but also engage and enlighten visitors through a look at the history of this Irish Whiskey Distillery. Reliving the history of John Jameson & Son, visitors will discover how just three ingredients - water, barley and yeast, are combined with tradition to form the golden spirit that is loved so much. All visitors will be treated to a Jameson Signature drink, and some lucky volunteers, will also get the opportunity to participate in a tutored whiskey comparison and get a personalized Whiskey Taster Certificate as a reward.

Operates: Daily; open 9:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; 1 hour
Price per Person from: $17

Literary Pub Crawl

No city is as rich in pubs and poetry as Dublin and the Literary Pub Crawl is an amalgam of both - a 2-hour stagger with Wilde, Joyce, Behan and Beckett. Their search for an audience took them from the drawing room to the public saloon. The tour visits four favorite 'Publin' watering holes, allowing time for internal lubrication between comic cuts of the writer's work. The guides, all pro actors, begin with a shot of the black stuff - an excerpt from "Waiting for Godot." Learn the history of Dublin and Ireland through the stories and literature told!

Operates: Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun; 7:30 p.m.; 2 hours
Price per Person from: $21

Musical Pub Crawl

The Traditional Irish Musical Pub Crawl is one of Ireland’s most famous tours. Experience Dublin's pubs while discovering Ireland’s musical traditions. The tour is led by two of the best musicians in the country, who will let you in on the real story of Ireland’s musical heritage. Your hosts will play the tunes and songs that shape Traditional Irish music while also telling stories, teaching the group songs and demonstrating Ireland's indigenous instruments. Above all, everything is entertainingly conveyed with Ireland’s famous wit. The genuine article, this is a fantastic night of song, laughter and "craic."

Musician profile: The Traditional Irish Musical Pub Crawl has a pool of 20 musicians who perform on the tour and are some of the best in the land. They comprise both national and world champions, including many "Riverdance" and "Lord of the Dance" members, even one who was a lead musician on the Hollywood film "Lord of the Rings" soundtrack.

Operates: Thu, Fri, Sat; 7:15 p.m.; 2½ hours
Price per Person from: $19

Old Midleton Distillery

Reliving the history of John Jameson & Son, visitors will discover how just three ingredients - water, barley and yeast, are combined with tradition to form the golden spirit that is loved so much. All guests (over 18 years old) will be able to taste a Jameson Signature drink, and some lucky volunteers will also get the opportunity to participate in a tutored whiskey comparion and get a personalised Whiskey Taster Certificate as a reward.

Operates: Daily, except holidays; open 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; 1 hour
Price per Person from: $15

For more information on our Irish Brewery and Pub tours or private whiskey tasting, call us at (800)421-8446.

Few people outside of Ireland saw this one coming, yet the entire island has slipped quietly into a new role as a must-visit destination for food-lovers from all over the world. The style of food obviously varies greatly at these restaurants but what they all have in common is the warmth and individuality that has always been at the heart of Irish hospitality - and, no matter how diverse the courses, the basic building blocks are the excellent raw materials for which Ireland has a wonderful reputation.

Their famous pastures make for a wide range of fabulous products, notably beef and lamb, while their rivers and seas provide an abundance of fresh fish and seafood. Local produce is a point of pride in the best kitchens everywhere and a growing interest in specialist production is reflected in the availability of products like hand-smoked fish and meats, baked goods and preserves plus a wide range of organic vegetables and fruit, many of which are sold at local farmers markets.

As well as sampling their fine restaurants, a visit to a cooking school is a major part of the Irish culinary trail.

Stay at one of our Bed & Breakfast Gems or Manors and take a cooking class:

Ballyknocken House, Wicklow - owned by Catherine Fulvio

A charming, ivy-clad Victorian farmhouse on 350 acres in a beautiful location only a short drive from Dublin. There are 7 rooms with en suite facilities, an international award-winning cooking school and lovely gardens. Walking in forest at house and locally close to Glendalough, Powerscourt and Mount Usher gardens. Lovely breakfasts and dinner by arrangement.

Catherine is highly acclaimed for her hands-on, no fuss style of cooking, using the freshest ingredients possible. She believes that cooking should fun, and her easy approach together with recipes that encourage those who normally shy away from cooking is a winning combination. At the other end of the scale, she also runs her very popular entertaining and gourmet classes for her regular clientele. She has her own TV Series “Catherine’s Italian Kitchen” and is a regular on TV screens both in Ireland and abroad. When Catherine is not busy in the kitchen, she is busy researching new courses, menus and recipes to delight you with.

Price per Person per Night from: $88

Dunbrody Country House, Wexford - owned by Kevin Dundon

Set in 300 acres of gardens and estate the luxury Dunbrody House hotel in Wexford is close to nature but far from the ordinary. Re-define your interpretation of the traditional Irish country house hotel. You will find the expected relaxed elegance of its Georgian origins with the original 1830s Irish oak floors, pitched pine window shutters, high ceilings, twinkling chandeliers and crackling turf fires. But this is all mixed with a palette of rich, earthy colors, plenty of natural sunlight streaming in the picture windows, all the modern must haves such as Wi-Fi, Böse DVD/CD players, chic champagne bar and terrace.

Dunbrody Cookery School has been designed to cater for all levels of cooks, from budding enthusiasts (Back to Basics) to the experienced gourmet (specialized courses). The perfect blend of demonstration and hands-on individual tuition means that you will learn practically and be able to reproduce the dishes at home in your own kitchen. Learn delicious scone making from Kevin & Catherine Dundon.

Price per Person per Night from: $161

We suggest you look into our Boutique Guided Vacation option. On Brendan's Boutique Guided Vacations, you will have a more intimate vacation experience, traveling with just 24 guests. You will enjoy sights and activities that are often not available to larger groups, and stay in unique accommodations, from boutique properties to city center hotels to historic castles and manors. Travel on a smaller motorcoach (with the same amenities as on our large coaches), making little secluded sites accessible. Plus, a Guide/Chauffeur will accompany you every step of the way. Boutique Guided Vacations offer an authentic view of an Ireland you might not otherwise see.

Tastes & Tales of Ireland - Boutique Guided Vacation

Highlights include: Dublin, Cork, Killarney, Newmarket-on-Fergus (Dromoland Castle)

This 9-day Boutique Guided Vacation takes you across Ireland’s scenic countryside bringing you up close and personal with the cuisine, culture, and locals. Your overnight stays feature the cities of Dublin, Cork, Killarney and magnificent Dromoland Castle, one of Ireland’s most prestigious national treasures. Take it all in with the services of a professionalIrish Guide. For the full "Tastes & Tales of Ireland" itinerary, click on the title or visit our Boutique Guided Vacations page. For reservations, please call us at (800) 421-8446.

For more information, refer either to our "Ireland & Scotland" Guided and Customized Vacations 2012 brochure or please contact our Irish specialists at (800) 421-8446.

Traveling through Ireland will awaken the senses, but no experience is as enriching and educating as that of participating in one of our many sightseeing and experiential tours.  Whether by rail, foot or motorcoach, Brendan Vacations Travel Directors, chauffeurs and guides have perfected the story-telling and information-sharing experience to allow every visitor to take away memorable and interesting learnings from the variety of historical and natural wonders that are available in Ireland.

Guided Walking Tours offer the unique opportunity and to really get to know a city personally, hearing stories of the past and present.

Dublin Walking Tour

Operates: Most days; 1½ -2 hours
Price per Person from: $23

Waterford Walking Tour

Operates: Daily; Mar-Oct; 1 hour
Price per Person from: $13

Kilkenny Walking Tour

Operates: Daily; mid-Mar-Oct; 1½ hours
Price per Person from: $9

Belfast Walking Tour

Operates: Mon-Fri; 11:00a.m.; 1-1½ hours
Price per Person from: $13

Derry Walking Tour

Operates: Daily; 1 hour
Price per Person from: $13

For more information on Walking Day Tours from refer to our “Ireland & Scotland” Guided and Customized Vacations 2012 brochure or call us at (800)421-8446.