The Beery Soul of Ireland

July 11 - 21, 2019

The history, people and landscapes of Ireland, are rich and varied. And slowly, but surely, its deeply rooted pub and music culture is making a little room at the bar for good, local, craft beer. Join us for a thorough investigation of this beer trend.

And then there's the final three night is bustling busy Dublin. Punt a Guinness, please!

With stays in vibrant Galway, soulful scenic Doolin, medieval Kilkenny, and bustling Dublin, this trip offers a great variety of land and seascapes, archaeology, pub culture, architecture, folklore, history, and friendly Irish people, not to mention a good sampling of craft brews. Great hotels in excellent locations serve as comfortable bases, and travel by private coach offers opportunities for sampling local flavors along the way! We'll explore the Connemara, the Burren, the Aran Islands, the Cliffs of Moher, the streets of Kilkenny, and drink with the locals at more than a few hand selected pubs, and have lots of chances to explore.

Daily Itinerary:

Thursday - Fly to Ireland

Fly to Ireland - bound for Galway, on Irelands's wild west coast. Galway is served by either Dublin or Shannon Airports.Thereare several transfer options including rail (from Dublin), bus and private transfers.

Friday - Walking tour, Welcome Dinner

Upon arrival in Galway, check into our hotel along the harbor. We'll begin with a city tour/pub crawl en route to our welcome dinner. The rest of the evening is free. Galway is a vibrant city with lots of western Irish spirit and thriving pub, arts, and music scenes. Overnight in Galway. (D)

Saturday - Coastal Connemara Pubs

This morning is free to enjoy Galway on a summer morning. At 11:00 AM we'll board our coach and drive to Roundstone for a seafood pub lunch, before continuing on a tour of the coast and the Connemara. Will visit a few pubs as we take in a selection of the areas many villages, lakes and lush green valleys. Overnight in Galway. (B, L)

Sunday - Caves, The Burren, Beer, Cliffs of Moher

A leisurely start this morning as we check out and move on to the lovely village of Doolin. Along the way we will visit a castle, see some standing stones and dolmens in the Burren, and drop into the Aillwee Caves to get our troglodyte on... (huh?), before continuing to the Cliffs of Moher. We'll have a beery pub lunch along the way. Overnight in Doolin. (B, L)

Monday - Aran Islands (weather permitting)

This morning we'll walk to the ferry and sail out to the Aran Islands' biggest island - Innishmor. Our informal itinerary includes pub visits, bike or horseback riding, communing with the islands spectacular seascapes, and contemplating the edge of the world after a pint or two. Return to Doolin this evening for a night of music and beer with the locals. The village's pubs and restaurants. Overnight in Doolin. (B)

Tuesday - Adare, Bunratty Castle to Kilkenny

This morning we board our private bus bound for Kilkenny. Along the way we will visit Bunratty Castle and the adjacent folk museum. We'll make a strategic pub lunch stop, before visiting "Ireland's Prettiest Village", Adare, for shopping and a visit to this quintessentially Irish town. This evening we'll enjoy a guided walk and dinner in Kilkenny at a locals' favorite eatery. Overnight in Kilkenny. (B, L, D)

Wednesday - AM Guided Walk, Explore Kilkenny

Today is totally free to explore Kilkenny. Opportunities for golf and fishing, among many others. The city of Kilkenny is famed for horse racing and its medieval district, as well as an active pub culture. Overnight in Kilkenny. (B)

Thursday - To Dublin, Wicklow, Glendalough, Big Beer Dinner

A leisurely start today provides a bit of morning time to explore, shop, or catch up on some sleep. Later this morning we'll board the bus for variety filled day including a brewery visit, pub stops, and a visit to the interesting monastic site in Glendalough. We'll cross the Wicklow mountains on route to Dublin for truly quintessential Irish scenery. This eveing we will meet enjoy a special beer dinner. Overnight in Dublin. (B, D)

Friday - Guiness, Jameson

Today we'll take in a couple of Dublin's famous institutions -- the Guinness Storehouse and the Jameson Distillery, along with a guided city tour of Ireland's capital city. This evening, is dedicated to Irish Craft Beer Festival - with all the good beers available in one place! Overnight in Dublin. (B, L)

Saturday - Free Day in Dublin, Storytelling Dinner

Today is free to explore Dublin, pub-crawl, see the sights or shop. Tonight we'll celebrate a happy trip with our Farewell Dinner. Overnight in Dublin. (B, D)

Sunday - Alas, time to return home.

For Registration and Policies & Details: Click Here.

 

Trip Price
(Land-only, Based on double occupancy)

$3095 per person

Single Room add $635

Beer Highlights
& Brewery Visits

The Irish Craft Beer Festival attracts virtually every brewer on the Emrald Isle!

Hand-picked pubs loaded with history and a good beer list.

Traditional music pubs

Beer focused meals

Overnight Stays*

Fine, centrally located hotels,9 nights total:

2 nights Galway
2 nights Doolin
2 nights Kilkenny
3 nights Dublin

Included Tours

Locally Guided Tours in:
-- Galway
-- Kilkenny
-- Dublin

Plus pub crawls & touring on our private transportation -- the "Beer Bus"

Included Meals

9 Breakfasts

3 Lunches

4 Dinners

Arrival & Departure

Trip Begins in Galway

Ends Dublin, Ireland

Flights to Shannon International or Dublin would both work for this trip, depending on your city.

 

Please Note:

The overall style of the trip is best suited for somewhat adventurous, beer-loving travelers who want the camaraderie and structure of a tour, as well as the opportunity to explore independently. Planned events and excursions will, for the most part, be informal. Guided touring is generally the exception, though travelers can always rely on the support and assistance of the trip leader.

* Please note also:

This itinerary is subject to change based on brewery or hotel availability, force majeur, acts of dieties, common sense or bad weather, etc. Smaller breweries, as well as the Trappists, are often unable to commit to hosting groups until a couple of weeks before we arrive. Substitutions, when necessary, will be as good or better than what we replaced. And, don't worry, the beer is always good!