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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

Included highlights

Grafton Street
Teeling whiskey tasting
Kilkenny castle
Highbank Organic Farm
Cheesemaking class

Start planning today

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

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Day-by-day itinerary

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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.

Private Guinness Experience & Irish Pub Dinner

From $179 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

Enjoy a free afternoon in Kilkenny or add an excursion.

Kilkenny Dinner & Irish Wine Tasting

From $180 per person

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, Beer 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 Skibbereen Famine Graveyard, 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.)
Tour the Clonakilty Brewing Company, where you’ll meet the owner and enjoy a craft beer tasting

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.

Sheep’s Head Peninsula & Bantry House Tea

From $150 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

Transfer to County Kerry and enjoy an included lunch before heading to your hotel.

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 the Seaweed Discovery Centre and sample a cup of seaweed-infused tea and snacks
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

County Limerick1 night

Day 11: County Limerick via Dingle & distillery tour

Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Liquor tasting, Farewell dinner

Make your way to County Limerick, 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 Dingle Distillery and learn about their production of whiskey, vodka, and award-winning gin
Enjoy a tasting of the spirits

After, head to the charming town of Adare in County Limerick 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: Transfer to Galway

Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting

Transfer to Galway, stopping along the way to visit the Burren Smokehouse in County Clare. You’ll learn the story behind the facility and its smoked fish process. Then, enjoy a tasting before continuing on to Galway.

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.

Day 13: Free day in Galway

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Galway or add an excursion.

Connemara, Kylemore Abbey & Oyster Tasting

From $155 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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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.

The Samuel Hotel

This brand-new hotel is located right in the heart of Dublin. Guests enjoy beautifully designed rooms, restaurant and bar. Nearby you’ll find the Iris...

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Newpark Hotel Kilkenny

This elegant 19th century mansion is located about a 10 minute walk from Kilkenny center. Guest enjoy the 40 acres of parkland, beautiful gardens, and...

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Seaview House Hotel & Spa

This family-run hotel overlooks Bantry Bay in West Cork County. Guests enjoy the hotel’s 4 acres of gardens, VOYA Seaweed bath house and award-winning...

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Meadowlands Hotel

This elegant hotel is located in Tralee, County Kerry along the Wild Atlantic Way. Guests enjoy the manicured gardens and intimate second floor bar. N...

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Fitzgerald's Woodland House Hotel & Spa

This classic hotel is located in Adare. Guests enjoy a restaurant with home grown ingredients, Woodlands Walking Trail, and indoor pool. Nearby, you’l...

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Maldron Sandy Road

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

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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

Local weather

Kilkenny, Ireland

Weather averages

Today

High 46 °FLow 31 °F

Galway, Ireland

Weather averages

Today

High 47 °FLow 32 °F

Limerick, Ireland

Weather averages

Today

High 46 °FLow 42 °F

Shannon, Ireland

Weather averages

Today

High 47 °FLow 32 °F

FAQ

Print FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

In order to enter Ireland, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for at least 2 hours daily across uneven terrain, including dirt paths and unpaved trails, with some hills and steep stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Dublin and depart from Shannon. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
All other included transportation is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to any of the countries on this tour.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

Ireland’s farming scene and deep roots in tradition make for hearty pub meals, (stew or spepherd’s pie, anyone?). But there’s also an emerging movement of farm-to-table and sea-to-table dishes, and an impressive network of high-quality food and beverage producers.
Guinness stout is an international sensation, but locals might favor Murphy's, depending on where you are. A large selection of handcrafted cider is also widely available, thanks to thriving apple orchards on the east coast and inland to Kilkenny and Tipperary. While wine may not come to mind when you imagine Irish beverages, wine production is up-and-coming in County Cork. And of course, you can’t go wrong with a draught of Irish whisky, particularly the ever-popular Jameson.
Dublin has seen something of a culinary revolution, and the city now boasts an impressive array of new restaurants offering exciting cuisine with continental Europe, Asian, and even American influences.
West Cork is a foodie hub in Ireland, where everything from local produce, meat, seafood, and dairy products are featured in every farm-to-table meal.
Some of the must-try local foods on this tour include homemade cheese from County Kilkenny, wild mushrooms on the Beara Peninsula, smoked fish, mussels, and chocolate. Soda bread is delicious, very filling, and served with many meals. Nibble a scone at afternoon tea with a pat of high-quality butter from County Kerry.

Electricity & air conditioning

Ireland operates within 230-240 volts and use a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other electrical device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances, but these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though charges may apply.
There is no internet access on the motor coach.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

Ireland is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is five hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 5pm on tour.

Currency

You will use the euro on tour.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.

Ireland: A Feast of Culinary Flavors & Local Traditions

Pull up a pub stool for Sunday roasts, good pints, and quintessential Irish craic.

Day-by-day itinerary

Reviews

Hotels, flights & FAQ

Hotels

Flights

Local weather

FAQ