Thursday, May 15 – Depart to Ireland
Today we’ll travel by motorcoach from Elkhart to O’Hare Airport in Chicago where we’ll board a jet for our overnight flight to Ireland.
Friday, May 16 – Kenmare
Upon our arrival at Shannon we’ll travel on to Kenmare, arriving in time to freshen up for dinner. We’ll spend the next two nights at the Brook Lane Hotel, a small boutique hotel with a good reputation for serving local food. (Dinner)
Saturday, May 17 – Kenmare
After breakfast we’ll visit the Muckross House and Gardens. Situated in Killarney National Park, the house, gardens and farm are among the most popular of Irish visitor attractions. Today we’ll have lunch in O’Neill’s Point Bar, which has been in the same family for 150 years. Located at Renard Point, it’s a great place to stay while enjoying their super-fresh seafood. The menu covers everything from a range of salads and open sandwiches on brown bread – fresh and smoked wild salmon, smoked mackerel, crabmeat, crab claws – to hot dishes like deep-fried squid and a couple of hake and monkfish dishes with garlic and olive oil. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Sunday, May 18 – Cork
This morning we continue our journey, traveling to Ireland’s south coast where generations of fishermen have fished the Atlantic waters for wild Atlantic salmon. Over the years Ummera has built up an enviable reputation for producing some of the world’s finest smoked salmon. We’ll visit their smokehouse and are certain to understand why connoisseurs of good food rate its flavor and consistent quality as outstanding. After free time for lunch in Clonakilty, we’ll continue on to the famous Blarney Castle, which is where all the real “blarney” began. What would a visit to Ireland be without kissing the famous Blarney Stone located at the top of the tower? We'll have dinner and overnight at the Imperial Hotel. Evening meals at the Imperial are served in elegant surroundings and feature seasonal and innovative menus with a blend of Irish and Mediterranean cuisine. The atmosphere, excellent food and great wines all promise to produce a memorable evening. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Monday, May 19 – Ballymaloe, Cork
It’s only a short walk to the Old English Market and this morning all the stalls will be fully stocked with the best of Irish produce. Later in the forenoon we’ll tour the Old Jameson Distillery, followed by a tasting of several Irish whiskeys. One of the highlights of our tour certainly will be our visit to the Ballymaloe Cookery School, founded and operated by Darina Allen, Ireland’s most famous cook and a best-selling author. When we step through the little wooden side gate and into the courtyard, we’ll enter a different world: a world where the whole emphasis is on food – growing it, preparing it, cooking it, eating it and, crucially, enjoying it.
Upon arrival we’ll be greeted with tea or coffee and biscuits, followed by a cookery demonstration conducted by either Darina Allen or her brother Rory O’Connell. It’s only appropriate that dinner this evening is at Ballymaloe House, the renowned Irish country house restaurant owned by the Allen family. Here our five-course meal will be followed by traditional music in front of the fire. Later we’ll return to the Imperial Hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Tuesday, May 20 – Kilkenny
Waterford Crystal is known as the world’s finest, so we don’t want to miss the opportunity to visit the bustling factory to see how the artisans work generations of design experience into pieces that are as individual as the artists who make them. After some free time in Kilkenny, we’ll visit the stately Kilkenny Castle, built in the 12th century.
Later this afternoon we’re in for a real treat that just may turn out to be the highlight of the tour for some. We’ll experience a slice of country life with friendly Irish families who open their homes for an overnight stay. We’ll stay in one of their guest rooms, experience their daily activities and enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal. In other words, we’ll become part of a traditional farm family and will learn firsthand about local menus and how food is prepared. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Wednesday, May 21 – Dublin
After a hearty farm breakfast we’ll bid our host family farewell and continue on our journey. On arriving in Dublin we’ll take a city tour that will include St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College and the Book of Kells. We’ll have free time to wander the shops in Dublin before checking into the Gresham Hotel where we’ll spend the next two nights. Our meal and entertainment tonight will offer us a wonderful opportunity to experience Irish culture and genuine Irish hospitality. The Merry Ploughboy Pub will provide a highly entertaining night of Irish food, music, song and dance. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Thursday, May 22 – Dublin
Today is free to explore Dublin – to shop and to visit the many excellent pubs located throughout the city. (Breakfast)
Friday, May 23 – Return Home
Returning back to the USA we can be sure our Irish eyes will be smiling as we return to our home community and tell our family and friends about the unforgettable cuisine, scenery and adventures of the Emerald Isle. (Breakfast)
