Luxury food tours of Ireland - 9 days exploring the food and drink of the Emerald Isle

Walk, Talk Food and Craic The Guinness Storehouse 

Meet with an expert local guide in your hotel lobby and begin a private walking and food tasting tour of Dublin city. Your tour will focus on the highlights of the city centre and give an informed and fun perspective of life and history in Ireland’s capital. You can see some of the most interesting buildings in the city including Dublin Castle and the Customs House. Your expert local guide will tailor the tour to your interests. The walking tour will end at Trinity College Library where we include entrance fees to see the famous Book of Kells. Your driver/guide will meet you and transfer you to The Guinness Storehouse for a tour and the connoisseur experience.

The Book of Kells: Welcome to the Old Library and the Book of Kells – a “must see” on the itinerary of all visitors to Dublin. Located in the heart of Dublin City, a walk through the cobbled stones of Trinity College Dublin will bring visitors back to the 18th century, when the magnificent Old Library building was constructed. Inside is housed the Book of Kells – a 9th-century gospel manuscript famous throughout the world.

Guinness Storehouse:  Find out exactly what it takes to make beer the Guinness way. From our famous strain of yeast to the passion shared by all our brewers, we go to extraordinary lengths to bring you the world’s number-one stout. Where better to savour a perfectly poured pint of the black stuff than sitting high above Dublin’s historic rooftops? Broaden your horizons with 360° views across the city’s magnificent skyline.

Given its very central location, we can show you more than one area, including the famous Powerscourt Townhouse, home to the Viscounts Powerscourt and one of the finest Georgian buildings standing in Dublin, the ancient Medieval Temple Bar and the bustling lively district of Grafton Street with its street musicians and flower peddlers.

Dublin to Cork: A full day with your expert driver-guide

After breakfast you will be collected by your driver/guide in a luxury vehicle. You will depart Dublin and travel south west to Cork. Along the way, entrance fees are included to The Rock of Cashel and Blarney Castle. Arrive at your hotel and the evening is free for you to relax and explore.

The Rock of Cashel is the site where St Patrick chose to make the head of his church in Ireland. The Rock of Cashel is a spectacular group of medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale including the 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th century Castle and the restored Hall of the Vicars Choral.

Blarney Castle: Built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy, and has been attracting attention ever since. Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney making it a world-famous landmark and one of Ireland’s greatest treasures. Now, that might have something to do with the Blarney Stone, the legendary Stone of Eloquence, found at the top of our tower. Kiss it and you’ll never again be lost for words. 2 nights are included at Perryville House in a Double Deluxe Room inclusive of breakfast.

Exploring Cork

Today we include a full day with your driver/guide to explore Cork, enjoy some time in Cork City and the English market and meet an expert local guide for a private food tour of the city. You will visit the Queenstown Story in Cobh where entrance fees have been included. In the late afternoon return to your hotel for evening at leisure.

The English Market: A civic space, a meeting place, a thoroughfare, and a bustling social hub of the city. With its variety of products, the pride of place accorded to small traders, the personalised service, the growing emphasis on organic products and reliance on small-scale producers, it is forever popular. A mix of traditional Cork fare and exciting new foods from afar, along with longstanding family-run stalls and newcomers from outside, all contribute to its unique appeal, which is celebrated widely, especially by visitors to the city.

The Queenstown Story: The story of Cobh’s unique origins, its history & legacy are dramatically recalled at Cobh, the Queenstown Story. Our stunning multimedia exhibition is located in Cobh’s restored Victorian Railway Station. On your visit here you can explore the conditions on board the early emigrant vessels, including the dreaded “coffin ships”. Experience life on board a convict ship leaving Cobh for Australia in 1801. Discover Queenstown’s special connections with the ill-fated Titanic which sank on her maiden voyage – Cobh was her last port of call. Witness the tragic story of the Lusitania, which sank off Cork Harbour. Learn about Annie Moore and her 2 brothers who left Cobh for a new life in America – Annie was the 1st immigrant ever to be processed in Ellis Island and discover your Irish ancestry with our Genealogy Record Finder Service.

Private Slice of Cork Food tasting Tour : The tour brings you on a gentle stroll through the city. We will stop at various eateries in Cork and meet some of the local characters and producers. These people are passionate about their culinary creations and you will learn their stories and more of the history of this unique part of Ireland.

Cork to Killarney: A full day with your expert driver-guide

After breakfast you will meet with your driver/guide and depart.  Travelling west to Glengarrif you will join the Wild Atlatic Way, Ireland's stunning 2500km coastal route,  en route you will meet an expert local food producer and visit their establishment to see the food production and of course taste the produce, this can be local cheese or seafood depending n the season and availability.  At Lunch time we include a visit to Mannings Food Emporium where you can taste fresh local produce from a number of producers.

In the afternoon, you will travel to into the Kingdom of Kerry and we include a scheduled cruise on Lough Leane followed by a private jaunting car ride.  2 nights are included at one of our preferred 5 star hotels inclusive of breakfast. The evening is free to enjoy the great pubs and restaurants.

The Ring of Kerry – a full day with your driver-guide

After breakfast today, meet with your driver/guide for a full day tour of the Ring of Kerry. You will travel from Killarney to Killorglin, via Glenbeigh here you have the option to stop and see a sheepdog demonstration. You will continue to see dramatic views over Dingle Bay to Cahirciveen, the birthplace of Daniel O’Connell – Ireland’s Great Liberator. Time permitting, take a detour to see Valentia Island and the Skellig Ring where you can see stunning coastal views out to the Skellig Island (used in the latest Star Wars film, please note it’s a longer day to do this). You will continue your journey with some of the most beautiful sights in Ireland, through Sneem and via Molls Gap, you will see the Gap of Dunlo and travel along ladies’ view and along the 3 lakes and the Killarney National Park. Perhaps visit Muckross House and Gardens or take a short hike to the Torc Waterfall. Tonight, you may have the option to enjoy an evening of Irish music and dancing at the superb Celtic Steps show in Killarney. Your driver/guide will provide details.

Celtic Steps Show Killarney: The Celtic Steps Show brings together the raw talent of popular Irish dance with the authenticity of traditional Irish music. The show aims to provide a magical evening for its guests, taking them on a journey through the nation’s colourful past and history to present day Ireland through the language of music, song and of course, dance.

The Dingle Peninsula – a full day with your driver-guide

After breakfast today you will meet your driver/guide for a tour out to Ireland’s most westerly point. The day tour to the Dingle Peninsula is a journey that takes in the wild and rugged beauty of the Slea head Drive. The peninsula is littered with Archaeological remains and secluded sandy beaches. Here you can walk on one of them and feel the splendid isolation that the Neolithic settlers must have felt in 4,000 BC when they made the area their home. Dingle Town is one of Ireland’s quickly disappearing Gaeltacht regions where Irish is the first language and one can almost sense the difference here. We include a scheduled food tour with an expert local food guide in the town including tastings. Later you will travel over the Conor’s Pass one of Ireland’s most dramatic journeys across the peaks to Tralee and then continue via the picturesque village of Adare before arrival at your nearby hotel and checking in. The rest of the evening is at your leisure.

Scheduled Dingle Food Tasting Tour: The Dingle Tasting Tour is an exciting mix of tasting and sightseeing in Irelands No. 1 foodie town. Our experienced guides will take you through the beautiful port town of Dingle, visiting some of the town’s best food and beverage locations. In these locations you will enjoy a variety of tastings of authentic, local Irish food and drink.

Ireland’s Prettiest Town, Adare.

You will stop in Adare at the heritage centre where you can discover the heritage of this beautiful village. In the town there are the remains of a Norman Castle, a Franciscan Friary, and an Abbey. In the centre of Town is Ireland's only Trinitarian Church and across the road are the stunning thatched cottages. There will be time to enjoy a tea or coffee in the Heritage centre. 2 nights are included at Dromoland Castle in a Double Deluxe inclusive of breakfast (2 nights).

Private Food Experiences in the Unesco Burren National Park including the Cliffs of Moher

Meet with your driver/guide this morning and travel west to Lahinch where we have included a very special private foraging experience. Later, travel the short distance to the Cliffs of Moher where entrance fees are included. In the afternoon there will be some time to explore part of the Burren National Park. In the mid afternoon return to your hotel and the final evening is at your leisure to relax and reflect on your food and drink experiences in Ireland.

Private Foraging, Cookery Class and Food Tasting in County Clare: Join Oonagh for a special private unique food experience on the edge of a continent. Based in Lahinch, Co. Clare, your private tour starts with a guided Wild Food Walk on land and seashore. You will discover and identify delicious, edible, wild plants.

Stroll along the shoreline and search for Seaweed, like the Truffle of the Sea, Dillisk (Dulse) and Sea Spirulina. Enjoy all that the land and sea has to offer, from the vast variety of plants like Watercress, Pignuts, Samphire and Ramsons and Umami. A Wild Food Walk is a delight, an engagement with nature, but it is also a journey into a secret world where you will learn about the exceptional nutritional value and unique taste of wild plants, how to identify them, what not to eat or touch, what’s in season, tasting as we go, while taking in the beautiful scenery of Co. Clare, The Burren and the Wild Atlantic Way.

The Cliffs of Moher is a sheer precipice that stretches for 5 miles along another part of the Wild Atlantic Way. The Cliffs of Moher rise to a height of 668 feet above the Atlantic and is one of the most impressive coastlines in Ireland. In nesting season, the cliffs are home to a variety of seabirds. Entrances to the Cliffs of Moher Visitors Centre is included. In the afternoon, there will be time to see the Burren Region a remarkable landscape of Limestone and littered with Neolithic sites dating back 6,000 years.

Private Departure Transfer Dromoland to Shannon

After check-out today you will meet your driver for a private transfer to Shannon Airport for your return flight to the U.S.A.

What’s included in your 9 Day Private Tour to Discover The Food and Drink of Dublin, Cork, Kerry and Clare

Hotels: On this trip you’ll enjoy seven nights’ bed and full Irish breakfast. The hotel below are examples of the property you will stay in. Your hotels will be confirmed and named once you book the trip

• The Shelbourne Hotel Dublin: two nights in a king or twin room.
• Castlemartyr Hotel Co. Cork: two nights in a king or twin room.
• Sheen Falls Lodge Co. Kerry: two nights in king or twin room.
• Dromoland Castle Co Clare:  two nights in a deluxe king room.

Driver-guide Services: You’ll have exclusive use of our professional driver-guide services for five days. One driver will meet you straight from your flight to Dublin and provide the transfer. You’ll then have an expert driver/guide to accompany the group until the evening of Day 8. A local driver will safely transfer you to Shannon airport on Day 9.

The vehicle will be a luxury executive Minicoach with leather reclining seats, air conditioned, water is provided daily and there is free wifi on board (subject to coverage).

Your tour also includes:

• A Private Walking Tour of Dublin City with Food Tasting 6 hours
• The Book of Kells or Kilmainham Jail
• Guinness Storehouse
• The Rock of Cashel
• Private Slice of Cork Food Tasting Tour
• The Queenstown Story
• Scheduled cruise on Lough Leane and private Killarney Jaunting Car
• Private Dingle Food Tasting Tour
• Foraging and Food Tasting in County Clare
• The Cliffs of Moher
• The Burren Food Trail

We also include hotel taxes and fees, communication costs and the help of our local travel experts throughout your trip; 24/7. We simply want you to focus on having an incredible time. It’s that simple.

What’s Not Included:

• Your flights to and from the USA or Europe
• Gratuities and tips to driver-guides and local guides
• Anything that we’ve not mentioned above

All itineraries are subject to availability. We’ll always have fabulous alternatives up our sleeves!  The price range covers a number of food tasting experiences which we would be delighted to dicuss with you.  Schedule a call today to discuss and plan your dream foodie trip to Ireland.

Prices are Per Person starting from (seasonal rates apply)

2 passengers from €8,295 to €9,295 per person sharing
4 passengers from €7,795 to €8,995 per person sharing (Two rooms)
6 passengers from €7,295 to €8,495 per person sharing (Three rooms)

Other prices on request. Please note a single supplement applies for a single room and a single person travelling.