Irish Roads to Cuisine and Culture

Welcome to Dublin, a modern multi-cultural city that embraces its past and exudes an enduring sense of fun.  Upon arrival you will be transferred privately to your city center hotel and meet your Local Host – a proud local who will settle you in with the warmest of welcomes, answer questions and provide local tips and recommendations. This afternoon, your voyage of discovery begins when you join a Local Specialist who will proudly share the riches of Ireland’s capital city on your own private walking tour. See Dublin’s Georgian squares with their brightly colored doors and walk the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College.

This morning, meet your Local Specialist for the ‘Delicious Dublin’ food tour. Bring your appetite and enjoy the best of the city’s diverse culinary scene, as you indulge in everything from ice cream to Irish stew. Later, enjoy visit to EPIC – The Irish Emigration Museum and journey through centuries of rich history and perhaps discover some hidden gems about your own ancestry.   

You are now ready for your driving adventure so pick up your luxury car this morning. Head southeast and stop off at Ballyknocken for a hands-on cookery school experience. Make your own griddle bread and experience the immense trill of cutting the steaming warm bread open, layering it with Irish smoked salmon and flavoured crème fraiche, and knowing it is just perfect because of the guidance of a local expert. Relish your new skill and this tasty slice of Irish culinary history. Journey to Kilkenny.  

Join a Local Specialist and discover the magic of this Medieval city. Why are Kilkenny people called cats? All will be revealed. Next, journey to Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Blarney Stone to receive the ‘gift of gab’. Stroll through the castle’s grounds and gardens, arboretums and waterways on your private adventure with the estate’s Gardener. If you dare, enter the Poison Garden – just don’t touch the plants! Afterwards, continue to the charming town of Killarney. 

Admire the breathtaking scenery, rugged landscapes and crashing seas along the famous Ring of Kerry and delight in traditional Irish life as you stop in quaint villages along the way. You’ll be mesmerized by this unspoiled land that has inspired artists and poets for centuries. Take in the beautiful views of the Skellig Coastline, before stepping inside the home of Skellig Six18. Learn about the botanical ingredients that grow in the natural woodlands, hedgerows and along the shoreline that are foraged and carefully chosen to create their artisan pot-distilled gin. Learn about traditional Irish Whiskey production methods and hear about the distillery’s ambitious plans to build a state-of-the-art-whiskey distillery plant. See the bespoke copper Gin still and savor the taste of the Atlantic Coast with a memorable gin tasting experience. Afterwards, return to Killarney where the rest of your day is free.

This morning make your way to the Cliffs of Moher to experience their magnificence like never before on our incredible hiking tour! Guided by Ollie an expert local you’ll take a breathtaking cliff walk route that is missed by over 97% of visitors, allowing you to truly appreciate the stunning views of Doolin, the Aran Islands, and the Cliffs of Moher. The stories, the memories the uniqueness of this 3-4 hour adventure will leave you breathless, and not because of hike, it’s moderate with plenty of opportunities for rest and photos. Not to be missed.

Stop at the Burren Smokehouse and meet Birgitta Hedin an exclusive private tour. See the Kiln, Smoker, salt and oak shavings. Then, walk across the road to the Roadside Tavern Gastro Pub and meet with the owner, Peter Curtin, for a private beer tasting followed by a Smoked Salmon lunch platter, whiskey tasting and traditional Irish music session. End your experience with a visit to the Micro-Brewery. Travel to Galway, known as the ‘city of the tribes’. A fun city that’s full of character, the locals here will for sure tell you it’s one of the brightest and most intriguing jewels in our emerald crown.

This morning make your way along the Connemara coast for the ferry to your Aran Islands adventure. Epitomizing the rugged beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way, these Isles offer a call-back to an ancient Ireland. Age-old historical sites dot the landscape and the locals here routinely speak Irish Gaelic – a special part of Irish heritage and culture. Experience the iconic landscape in a bespoke Land Rover Defender 4x4 jeep. Learn about the culture, history and traditions of the local people. A guide will take you on a walk up to Poll na Bpéist, otherwise known as The Wormhole and famous as Red Bull cliff diving venue. Visit Dún Aonghasa- a 3,000 year old stone fort standing 100 metres high above the Atlantic Ocean.

Journey into Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and visit Strokestown Park House. This Georgian Palladian mansion is preserved with its original furnishings and fabrics and its beautiful 6-acre walled gardens have been restored to their original splendor. Hear the stories of this unique historic property on a guided tour that is like walking through the pages of a novel. Journey back towards Dublin, stopping at its doorstep for an overnight stay at the stunning Carton House.

Make your way to Dublin airport, for your trip home. You will have to promise to return and complete the journey north. Safe home, go n-ardóidh an bóthar chun bualadh leat, may the road rise to meet you.