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Ireland: A Feast...
 

Ireland: A Feast of Culinary Flavors & Local Traditions

12 days |  14 days with Galway extension
12 days |  14 days with Galway extension
Group size1222 travelers
Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars

23
Physical activity
A tall glass of Guinness in an Irish pub
A homes bright yellow window on a rustic blue wall in Kinsale Ireland
Cow in pasture on Irish farm
Coastal county cork in Ireland
OverviewItineraryDates & pricesReviewsTraveler photosHotels, flights & FAQ
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Pull up a pub stool for Sunday roasts, good pints, and quintessential Irish craic.

Does the mention of Irish cuisine bring Guinness and fish and chips to mind? Good news: This small group Food & Beer Tour is all that and so much more. Sure, the Emerald Isle has deep roots in tradition—why fix what isn't broken, right? But its emerging movement of farm- and sea-to-table dishes are truly worth writing home about. If you think all of Ireland’s green is impressive, just wait until you meet the high-quality food and beverage producers, all with their own unique stories to tell.

Your tour package includes

  • 10 nights in handpicked hotels
  • 10 breakfast
  • 2 lunches with beer or wine
  • 4 dinners with beer or wine
  • 1 beer tasting
Read more

Included highlights

  • Grafton Street
  • Teeling whiskey tasting
  • Kilkenny castle
  • Highbank Organic Farm
  • Cheesemaking class
Read more
Start planning today

An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Print itinerary
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Dublin today.

Dublin2 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Dublin
Included meal: Welcome dinner

Welcome to Ireland! Settle in to your hotel and gather with your Tour Director and fellow group members at a mixer. Then, enjoy a welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Dublin & whiskey tasting
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Liquor tasting

Take a comprehensive tour of Ireland’s capital city with a local expert leading the way.

  • Pass St Stephen’s Green and admire the Georgian architecture of Merrion Square as you go.
  • Explore the lively Grafton Street and enjoy a chocolate tasting at Butlers Chocolate Café.
  • See Trinity College and walk past the Molly Malone statue, ending in the Temple Bar district.

Then, take a guided tour of the Teeling Whiskey Distillery in the Liberties neighborhood of central Dublin.

  • Learn about the distillery’s history and its distillation process.
  • Enjoy a tasting of both straight, neat whiskey and a whiskey cocktail.

Enjoy a free evening in Dublin or add an excursion.

Guinness Experience & Irish Pub Dinner

From $119 per person

Kilkenny2 nights
Day 4: Transfer to Kilkenny & cider tasting
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Dinner, Liquor tasting

Travel to Kilkenny, Ireland’s best-preserved medieval town, which goes by the nickname the Marble City.

  • View St. Canice’s Cathedral, an important place of worship dating back to the 6th century.
  • Enter Kilkenny Castle and roam the castle rooms and grounds.

Later, head to the Highbank Organic Farm, which doubles as an orchard and distillery.

  • Join a local guide to learn about organic farming from apple to bottle.
  • Take a tractor ride through the orchards.
  • Visit the distillery and 17th-century mill to taste organic ciders, syrups, and apple spirits alongside an expert.
  • Meet the farm owners and hear about the farm’s history, which dates back five generations.

Tonight, sit down for an included dinner at a local pub.

Day 5: Irish cheesemaking class
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Head to the scenic countryside outside of Kilkenny for a guided cheesemaking course.

  • Tour the award-winning cheesemaking facility, which specializes in a range of goat, sheep, and cow cheeses.
  • Learn how to easily make cheese at home in a hands-on class with a local expert.
  • Sit down for a cheese tasting and lunch of other homemade artisan specialties.
West Cork3 nights
Day 6: West Cork via Kinsale foodie walking tour & mead tasting
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Liquor tasting

Continue on to the harbor town of Kinsale, filled with narrow, winding streets lined with artsy shops, lively bars, and delicious restaurants.

  • Take a walking tour of the town, sampling various local foods along the way.
  • Visit the Kinsale Mead Co. to learn about the fermentation process and the honey used in the mead.
  • Taste award-winning meads and a seasonal cocktail in the Meadery’s oak bar tasting room.

Then, enjoy free time in Kinsale before continuing on to your hotel in West Cork.

Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Skibbereen & Clonakilty
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Liquor tasting, Dinner

Spend today exploring the colorful towns of Skibbereen and Clonakilty.

  • Enjoy a tour of the Skibbereen Heritage Centre to learn about the Great Famine, the Irish diaspora, and genealogy.
  • Visit the Abbeystrowry Cemetery in Skibbereen, where over 8,000 unnamed people who died during the Great Famine are buried.
  • Get a taste of traditional Irish coffee in a local pub.
  • Continue on to Clonakilty, where you’ll enjoy free time to visit the local farmer’s market and eat a picnic lunch (Please note: The farmer’s market is only open Thursday—Saturday. Alternate farmer’s markets may be visited.)
  • Head to a Clonakilty distillery for a whiskey tasting featuring locally sourced ingredients.

This evening, sit down for a farm-to-table dinner featuring West Cork’s famous local produce, meat, seafood, and dairy products.

Day 8: Free day in West Cork
Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in West Cork or add an excursion.

Please note: On some departures, the Sheep’s Head Peninsula & Bantry House Tea excursion may take place on day 7.

Sheep’s Head Peninsula & Bantry House Tea

From $129 per person

County Kerry2 nights
Day 9: West Cork farm tour & transfer to County Kerry
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Visit an organic farm in West Cork for a guided tour.

  • Walk through the pastures and along the terraced slopes of the organic farm.
  • Learn about the farm’s history and sustainability mission as you chat with the farm owners.
  • Enjoy a seasonal activity, like blueberry picking or jam making, before sitting down for some light snacks on the farm.
  • Sit down for a farm-to-table lunch featuring homemade food using locally sourced and organic ingredients.

Transfer to County Kerry and enjoy free time for the rest of the day to relax or explore.

Day 10: County Kerry walk & food foraging tour
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting

Travel along the scenic Ring of Kerry to the postcard-perfect coastal town of Caherdaniel, where you’ll try your hand at finding some local specialties.

  • Visit a wild Atlantic seaweed forager and join a workshop along the beaches of Kerry.
  • Learn about the tides in the area and how important seaweed is to the local diet and culture.
  • Walk along the water at low tide as you forage for different types of seaweeds and coastal plants like Nori, Duilleasc, and Sea Radish.
County Galway1 night
Day 11: Galway via Dingle & brewery tour
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Liquor tasting, Farewell dinner

Make your way to Galway, stopping to explore the Dingle Peninsula along the way.

  • Spend free time exploring Inch Beach, which offers stunning views of Dingle Harbor.
  • Set off on a short walking tour of Dingle Town, and enjoy a tasting of ice cream from the famous Murphy’s.
  • Tour the West Kerry Brewery, a small family business with a focus on one of a kind beers.
  • Learn about the family’s history and craft while you enjoy a tasting at the charming pub onsite.

Continue to Galway and celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner.

Flight Home
Day 12: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the Shannon airport for your flight home, or extend your stay to visit Galway.

Extension to Galway
The UNESCO-listed city of Galway sits at the doorstep of some of Ireland’s most famous attractions (including some of the best coastal views!). Extend your stay and explore its second-to-none scenery, lively atmosphere, and thriving culinary scene.
Galway2 nights
Day 12: Cliffs of Moher & food of Galway walking tour
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting

Journey south of Galway to the coast, taking time to view spectacular scenery en route.

  • Walk along the mesmerizing coastline of the Cliffs of Moher.
  • Visit the Burren Smokehouse in County Clare and learn the story behind the facility and its smoked fish process.
  • Enjoy a tasting of a variety of smoked salmon produced in-house.

This evening, join a local guide for a walking food tour of the city, tasting traditional and modern Irish foods paired with craft beer as you go.

Please note: On some departures, the walking food tour may be replaced with a walking pub tour.

Day 13: Free day in Galway
Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Galway or add an excursion.

This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.

Connemara, Kylemore Abbey & Oyster Tasting

From $125 per person

Flight Home
Day 14: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the Shannon airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars

Overall rating 4.6 out of 5

Based on 23 authentic traveler reviews
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    5 out of 5 stars

    9/10/22 by 1st-time traveler Angela

    5 out of 5 stars

    Ireland
    9/23/23 by 1st-time traveler Maureen

    Absolutely a wonderful, well planned itinerary. A few unplanned changes occurred, but our tour guide Hazel was able to arrange options that I believe were better than the original plans.

    5 out of 5 stars

    Delicious Ireland
    9/23/23 by 1st-time traveler Christine

    This tour was excellent! We ate our way around Ireland, tasting all kinds of wonderful new foods! On the one occasion that we had to pivot from the advertised itinerary, the excursion that our Tour Director created was even better than the planned outing. I would definitely do this again! Slainte...

    Read more +
    EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 11/1/23

    Thank you for leaving a review. We are glad that y...

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    Traveler photos

    Hotels, flights & FAQ

    Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

    Hotels

    We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
    Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin
    Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin

    This historic hotel is located in the heart of Dublin's city center. Guests enjoy the on-site restaurants, bar, and spacious rooms. Nearby you’ll find...

    Read more +
    Kilkenny River Court Hotel
    Kilkenny River Court Hotel

    This riverside hotel is located in the center of Kilkenny. Guests enjoy live music, restaurant, and sun deck. Nearby you'll find Kilkenny Castle, St. ...

    Read more +
    The Maritime Hotel
    The Maritime Hotel

    This seaside hotel is located in the West Cork city of Bantry. Guests enjoy the indoor pool, fitness center, and bike rentals. Nearby you'll find The ...

    Read more +
    Arbutus Hotel Killarney
    Arbutus Hotel Killarney

    This charming hotel is located in Killarney town centre. Guests enjoy bike rentals, home-cooked, traditional Irish recipes from the on-site Buckley's ...

    Read more +
    Fitzgerald’s Woodland House Hotel & Spa
    Fitzgerald’s Woodland House Hotel & Spa

    This classic hotel is located in Adare in County Limerick, Ireland. Guests enjoy a restaurant featuring dishes made from with homegrown ingredients, W...

    Read more +
    Maldron Sandy Road
    Maldron Sandy Road

    This comfortable hotel is located near the center of Galway. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a hotel bar, and a restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find the Galway Sh...

    Read more +

    Flights

    Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
    Add our airfare package and you'll get:
    • Round-trip flight for your tour
    • Airport transfers at your destination
    • A great price locked in today
    • 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
    • Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
    • Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
    • Find out more about flights

    FAQ

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