8-Day Escorted Tour with Margaret M. Johnson and Quinlan Ireland, $2468 (Land only price based on double occupancy)

Enjoy the best of Irish food and drink; visit salmon smokers, cheese shops, and farmers’ markets; enjoy half-day cooking class; tour historic and cultural venues; experience a lively weekend in Dublin; stay in deluxe accommodations

Overnight stays at Dunraven Arms Hotel, Co. Limerick; The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin; Perryville House, Kinsale, Co. Cork; Killarney Park Hotel, Killarney, Co. Kerry

 

Highlights

• Visits and Admissions to Bunratty Folk Park and Cliffs of Moher
• Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle, County Limerick
• Tour and Tasting at Burren Smokehouse, County Clare
• Walking and Open-Top Bus Tours of Dublin
• Tour and Tasting at Guinness Storehouse or Jameson Distillery
• Half-day, Hands-on Cooking Class at Chef Catherine Fulvio’s
• Ballyknocken House, County Wicklow
• Tour of the Herb Garden and Lunch at the Farmhouse

 

Tour Includes

• Group transfers on arrival and departure
• Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
• Irish breakfast daily
• Two lunches
• Three dinners, including Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle; Seafood dinner at Fishy Fishy Café in Kinsale; and Farewell Dinner in Killarney
• Signed copy of “Flavors of Ireland” by Margaret M. Johnson

 

Day 1 – Wed., Oct. 8: Overnight Flight to SHANNON
Depart your North American gateway city and travel overnight to Shannon.

Day 2 – Thurs., Oct. 9: Shannon Arrival, ADARE
Land at Shannon Airport and transfer to Dunraven Arms Hotel in the scenic village of Adare, County Limerick. Complimentary transfers are available between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later than 12:00 noon, transfer to the hotel at your own expense. Settle into the hotel before an afternoon departure to the historic village of Bunratty, County Clare, where you’ll have time to tour the Folk Park, shop at the village, or enjoy a pint or two at Durty Nelly’s (Ireland’s oldest pub) before enjoying a traditional “Welcome to Ireland” medieval banquet at 15th century Bunratty Castle. (D)

Day 3 – Fri., Oct. 10: DUBLIN
After your first official “full Irish,” travel from Adare to the Cliffs of Moher, a five-mile wall of limestone rising above the foaming Atlantic breakers, and the unique moonscape of the Burren. Stop in Lisdoonvarna for a guided tour of The Burren Smokehouse, one of Ireland’s premier salmon smokers. Continue to Dublin and check-in to the luxurious Shelbourne Hotel on St. Stephen’s Green for a lively weekend in the capital. For dinner, choose from a selected list of Dublin’s charming pubs, wine bars, or restaurants. (B)

Day 4 – Sat., Oct. 11: DUBLIN
After breakfast, join Margaret for a visit to the Temple Bar Market, one of Ireland’s busiest, to sample goods from some of the country’s premier artisan producers. Enjoy a classic “fish ‘n chip” lunch at Beshoff, Dublin’s oldest chip shop (established in 1913), on O’Connell Street. Tour the colorful Temple Bar area and then explore the capital city in an open-top bus tour past elegant Georgian squares, graceful cathedrals, and the General Post Office, site of the 1916 Easter Rising. Enjoy a tour and a taste at the Guinness Storehouse or Jameson Old Distillery. For dinner, choose from a selected list of Dublin’s charming pubs, wine bars, or restaurants. (B, L)

Day 5 – Sun. Oct. 12: KINSALE
After breakfast, we depart Dublin and head south to County Wicklow for a half-day, hands-on cooking class at celebrity chef/cookbook author Catherine Fulvio’s Ballyknocken House Cookery School. At this “Taste of Traditional Ireland” class, we’ll learn to cook—and then enjoy—our own lunch including dishes such as smoked salmon and strawberry salad, Wykinglo fish pie, and Baileys truffle torte. Following the class, lunch, and a garden tour, we cross the southeast of Ireland and head to Kinsale, originally a medieval fishing port, now considered one of the most picturesque, popular, and historic towns in West Cork. It has been hailed as the Gourmet Capital of Ireland, with no shortage of cafes, pubs, and restaurants to suit every taste. Check-in to your harborside hotel, Perryville House, and then join Margaret for dinner at chef/cookbook author/TV personality Martin Shanahan’s Fishy Fishy Café to sample some of his famous seafood cookery and discover why he’s “mad about fish!” (B, L, D)

Day 6 – Mon., Oct. 13: KILLARNEY
After breakfast, we depart Kinsale and head off for a tour of the scenic Beara Peninsula, via Ballylickey and a stop at the legendary Manning’s Food Emporium. One of the original promoters of West Cork artisan producers, cuisine, Val Manning’s is a “must” stop for foodies. Continue on to Garnish Island in Glengarriff, renowned the world over for its Italian Gardens, and a stop at Lorge Chocolates, where French master chef Benoit Lorge creates his outstanding range of Irish-inspired chocolates. Check-in to the luxurious Killarney Park Hotel for your final 2-night stay. Enjoy pub grub in the Garden Bar, a relaxing treatment in the hotel’s spa, or stroll the charming streets of Killarney for a “pick-your-pub” evening. (B)

Day 7 – Tues., Oct. 14: KILLARNEY
Following breakfast we tour Muckross House and a ride in a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car. The afternoon is free to explore this charming town, visit crafts and food shops. Return to the hotel for a tutored wine and cheese tasting and farewell “flavors of Ireland” dinner presented by Killarney Park Head Chef Odran Lucy. (B) (D)

Day 8 – Wed., Oct. 15: Return from Shannon
After breakfast, board your coach for a complimentary group transfer to Shannon Airport. After check-in, you’ll have time to shop at the duty-free stores before boarding your flight for the journey home. (B)

For more information contact the Irish Cook.

Legend: (B: breakfast included, L: lunch included, D: dinner included)