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Gourmet Ireland

  • Ireland
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  • OVERVIEW
  • ITINERARY
  • HIGHLIGHTS


itinerary Map

Gourmet Ireland

8 Days

Experience the myths, culture and cuisine of the Emerald Isle, internationally renowned for the quality and freshness of its cuisine, from local lamb to the finest seafood.

Beginning in Dublin, the Republic of Ireland’s capital city, this specially designed programme explores the country’s beautiful south coast then travels westwards to stay in a castle, eat oysters in Galway and master the art of Irish cooking with multiple private cookery classes.

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ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS



This eight-day Dream Escape foodie programme in Ireland could include the following experiences; 

  • Take a privately guided tour through the capital city’s different neighbourhoods and gastronomic gems, enjoy lots of specially prepared food and drink tastings and meetings with local purveyors and makers.

 

  • Discover the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of a true working distillery with a privately guided tour of a Dublin distillery, followed by a tutored tasting of three whiskeys: Small Batch, Single Grain & Single Malt.

 

  • Enjoy a private cookery class and breadmaking class at the place which is internationally recognised as the birthplace of modern Irish cuisine.

 

  • Take another privately guided food tour in Ireland’s second city. Learn about the city’s unique culture and architecture between food and drink tastings at a number of locations including the famous covered market.

 

  • Pop on some wellies for a private tour of a buffalo mozzarella farm, meet the owners and learn about their different cheese-making methods.
  • Dine ‘at home’ with a local family. There are no menus or waiters; you will be treated as guests of the family. Expect a wonderful evening, eating traditional fare prepared and cooked by the host.

 

  • Enjoy a VIP introduction to a “Secret Ireland”. Enjoy a boat trip to a private 21st century lakeside villa for a seafood buffet then visit a unique Irish chocolate factory followed by a tutored tasting of premium whiskeys.

 

  • Sample foodie highlights with a privately guided ‘tasting trail’ through a harbour city on Ireland’s west coast, sampling treats ranging from sushi and crab to doughnuts and beer.

 

Our accommodation choice is handpicked especially for you. For this itinerary we recommended a Georgian city hotel in the heart of Dublin, a country house that prides itself on providing high quality dining in the lush Irish countryside.

A luxury castle stay provides a very special end to your trip.

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HIGHLIGHTS

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HIGHLIGHTS

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THINGS TO DO

DUBLIN FOODIE TOUR

Accompanied by a personal expert guide, discover some of the Dublin’s foodie highlights mixed with a sprinkling of snippets on the history of Irish food and the city, pointing out interesting and quirky architecture as you pass. Your personal guide will take you to a range of bakeries, food halls, street markets and delicatessens, where you will have the opportunity of meeting artisans whose families have traded for generations.

 

TEELING WHISKEY DISTILLERY

Visit Teeling Whiskey Distillery, one of Dublin’s best destinations for whiskey aficionados. Located in the heart of Dublin City Centre, in the historic Liberties, the distillery is the first new distillery in Dublin in over 125 years, and the first to be operational in the city since 1976. Today the distillery is a three copper pot still operation, reviving the traditional style of Dublin whiskey distillation.

BURREN FOOD TRAIL

This trail includes a visit to a working sheep farm, a traditional free range pig farm and an award-winning craft butcher.

THE ENGLISH MARKET, CORK

has been serving the people of Cork for more than a century. A myriad of artisan and speciality producers have helped develop Cork County into Ireland’s flagship food region. It has a gourmet reputation among the finest in Europe.

SECRET IRELAND EXPERIENCE

Visit a private castle, set on its very own tiny island. Once a ruin, this 16th century building has been beautifully and painstakingly restored. It is now used as a private summer residence and is only accessible via water. In this atmospheric setting, savour a range of artisan food and drinks akin to those of the 16th century. Honey glazed ham, Irish Meade, and if feeling a little braver, Irish Poitin – once illegal Irish vodka made from potatoes. Make sure you head to the roof-top terrace and capture the panoramic scenic views.

BALLYMALLOE COOKERY SCHOOL

The Ballymaloe Cookery School opened its doors in 1983 by Darina Allen who is now a well-known celebrity chef, cookery book author and pioneer of the slow food movement in Ireland.

PLACES VISITED

DUBLIN

Dublin is steeped in history, with Viking, medieval and Georgian influences all having left their marks. Since the time of the Vikings, Dublin has been the principal gateway to the Emerald Isle. The medieval city, with its intimate knots of small alleys and broad streets south of the river, was developed in Norman times around St Patrick’s Cathedral and Dublin Castle, and later came to symbolise British rule in Ireland. The 18th century was the “Age of Elegance”, a time of relative prosperity when the Irish gentry set about remodelling the city into one of elegance, replete with graceful terraces, wrought-iron balconies and fanlight doorways. The city became Ireland’s capital with the establishment of the Republic of Ireland in 1937, and today is regarded as one of the liveliest and most atmospheric in Europe.

CORK

Cork is Ireland’s second largest and southernmost city with a history dating back to the 6th century; Founded on islands in an estuary, waterways circle the city centre crossed by over 20 bridges. Hilly neighbourhoods climb the river banks, stacked with colourful houses. These along with the Georgian architecture give the city a Continental feel. It is a creative and exciting city, renowned for learning, with a world class university and specialist colleges. It has a rich musical traditional and is home to no less than 24 festivals running throughout the year.

GALWAY

Galway is the official European Region of Gastronomy 2018. The region stretches from green fields and rich farmlands to the unique karst landscape of the Burren and into Galway city, the trout fishing capital of Europe, and along the wild, rugged Atlantic coast. Galway has one of the highest densities of restaurants in Ireland and includes two of the country ‘s Michelin Star restaurants: Aniar and Loam. Galway is a city with a proud seafaring tradition and Galway Bay is one of the most celebrated oyster fisheries, where the native Irish oyster is widely prized as a delicacy in the later months of the year.

KILLARNEY

Located by the three lakes and mountains of the Killarney National Park, Killarney is well known for its excellent shops, restaurants and cosmopolitan appeal. During the summer months, the lively on-street musical entertainment complements the meandering of tourists and locals alike. On bright evenings, one can browse in a bookstore, admire art or savour the delights of homemade ice cream or a finely prepared lobster.

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    Clients of Jessica Thompson, Fairway Travel, Virtuoso

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    Connie Hanes, Herff Travel

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    Client of Susan Morley, Journeys around the World, Cadence

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    Clients of Kristen Meckem, Kristen Meckem Travel, An Affiliate of Brownell

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    Jennifer McCrea, Boutique Travel Advisors

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    The Pogue Family - Clients of Amy Spence, Strong Travel

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    Pat Bowden, Red Letter Travel, an independent affiliate of Brownell

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    Jennifer McCrea, Boutique Travel Advisors

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    Clients of Betsy Talbot, Travel by Talbot (Brownell)

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    Krista Boyles, Unique Romance Travel

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    Marieta Carrrero, Boost Journeys

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    Jennifer McCrea, Boutique Travel Advisors

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    Black Tomato Clients

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    Gretchen Ashworth Stewart, Client

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    Jill Jergel, Frontiers International Travel

  • "Our holiday in Scotland now tops their lists of best trips…… To their growing list of amazing and memorable first-time experiences, our sons may add fishing for trout and salmon on the River Tay; steering a motor boat on Loch Ness; and taking private guided tours on Culloden Moor Of the eight full days we were in Scotland, Alex and Mattie thought each and every day was the best"

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    Max Levy, Direct client

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    Joni Gerace, The Travel Society, LLC

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    Clients of Courtney Regan, Affiliate of Brownell Travel

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    Jill A. Jergel, Frontiers International Travel

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    Yvonne Malka, Signature Travel Network, April 2018

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