Day 1 – Dublin City to Carlingford, Co Louth

Depart Dublin and travel to one of Ireland’s most powerful sites The Hill of Tara, which was once the ancient seat of power in Ireland – 142 kings are said to have reigned there in prehistoric and historic times. Sitting on top of the King’s Seat is the most famous of Tara’s monuments – Ireland’s ancient coronation stone – the Lia Fail or “Stone of Destiny”, which was brought here according to mythology by the godlike people, the Tuatha Dé Danann, as one of their sacred objects. It was said to roar when touched by the rightful king of Tara. Saint Patrick is said to have come to Tara to confront the ancient religion of the pagans at its most powerful site.

Our first brewery visit is to Brehon Brewhouse which is housed on the farm, so it’s quite possible Seamus will have some farm jobs rounded up for us whilst touring the brewery. We will avoid ‘milking time’ but if anyone wants to taste the milk that goes to the local Bailey’s factory to make Bailey’s Irish Creme we can include that in our tastings.

Stretch the legs to visit Proleek dolmen, a 5,000 year old portal tomb with its impressive 40 tonne capstone placed on top.

Carlingford Brewing Company is located on the Cooley peninsula, an impressive site complete with a 13th-century mill. Des is producing a range of beers named after local stories and legends which he will impart over beer tastings in his tap room.

Overnight in Carlingford village, a coastal town which retains its medieval layout. In the evening you can enjoy a very pleasant to walk along the waters edge to King John’s Castle. Alternatively, take a ramble up Slieve Foy behind the village for even better views. Carlingford offers excellent choices of restaurants and pubs in just a few narrow streets.

Day 2 – Carlingford to Portrush, Co. Antrim

A short hop into Northern Ireland to visit Belfast its largest city. Belfast was a centre of the Irish linen, tobacco processing, rope-making and shipbuilding industries. In the early 20th century, the Titanic was built and set off from what was the world’s biggest shipyard. Optional tour of the Titanic Experience which extends over nine interactive galleries.

Option 2: Black Taxi Tour takes you on a tour of the areas of West Belfast which experienced most of the Troubles. See the wall murals which tell the story of Belfast’s political and religious history.

We’ll visit Boundary Brewing in Belfast city – a co-operative Brewery owned and run by its members. The Boundary team are experimenting with bringing together modern US styles with the more traditional Belgian/French style beers which promise some unique tasting beers.

Drive further North to the Causeway Coast and overnight in the small seaside town of Portrush on the Antrim Coastline. While in Portrush, we’ll visit Lacada Brewery, a community-owned brewery. This brewery takes great pride in their sense of place with the beauty and wildness of the North Atlantic beaches on their doorstep.

Day 3 – Portrush, Co. Antrim to Letterkenny

The Giant’s Causeway is a World Heritage Site area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of volcanic lava flow 50-60 million years ago. This has resulted in it becoming one of the most iconic sites in Ireland. Arrive first thing in the morning to enjoy this area of natural beauty before the crowds. After some nice walks and photo opportunities at the Giant’s Causeway, we’ll drive up to the small village of Bushmills.

It’s time to take a tour of Ireland’s oldest distilleries and sample the famous Bushmills Whiskey. Situated on the banks of the River Bush, they have been distilling whiskey here since 1608, when King James I granted them a license. During the tour, you’ll learn all about their finest ‘water of life’ – directly translated from the Irish word for whiskey uisce beatha.

In the afternoon, we make our way along the Antrim Coastline to the city of Derry – Londonderry. A city with a fascinating and often turbulent history. In fact, it is the only completely walled city in Ireland. While in Derry, you’ll learn all about its history and explore its walls on the award-winning Martin McCrossan walking tour of Derry.

Interesting fact about Derry – Londonderry: In 1613, the city was granted a Royal Charter by King James and gained the “London” prefix to reflect the funding of its construction by the London guilds. To reflect the divide that is still present to this day, Nationalists call the city Derry, while Unionists call it Londonderry.

We’ll depart Derry- Londonderry and head to the historic Grianán of Aileach fort. A circular stone fort thought to have been built in the sixth or seventh century with a 244 metres vantage point. The panoramic views of Donegal from on top of Grianán of Aileach fort are second to none.

A short drive to Letterkenny, it’s time to visit Kinnegar Brewery. Named after Kinnegar Beach in County Donegal where the brewery was started by Rick and Libby. A second brewery, K2 has recently opened in Letterkenny – the largest town in Donegal. Rick has always been passionate about his beers. While there they’ll take you through the brewing process, from the malt loft through to the brewhouse, as well as the fermentation process and the conditioning in the cellar, and finally to packaging.

Interesting fact about Donegal – Donegal recently was awarded first place on National Geographic Traveller’s Cool List.

Day 4 – Letterkenny to Sligo

We start the day off with a visit to Glenveagh National Park. A remote and beautiful park in the Wilds of Donegal. While there, you’ll have free time to stroll through the gardens and take a lakeside walk.

Lunch in Donegal town in the former stables of the Castle, the Olde Castle Bar serves wonderful local seafood dishes.

We travel South to Yeats county of Sligo to visit Lough Gill Brewery. The guys at Lough Gill love experimenting with new beers, the bacon beer was fermenting on our last visit. Tastings were oink-teresting.

Overnight on the beautiful Sligo coastline in Enniscrone, a small seaside village with an impressive long sandy beach and shallow bay which is great for that sunset swim in Killala Bay. If you’re not quite that brave then perhaps a seaweed bath in the original Edwardian style enormous glazed porcelain baths with solid brass taps is always great for the muscles.

Day 5 – Sligo to Westport

Follow the beautiful Wild Atlantic Way coast we continue our journey around to Ballina which sits on the River Moy, Ireland’s most famous salmon fishing river.

We’ll explore more of County Mayo by taking a bumpy but beautiful drive by Lough Conn to reach Ballycroy National Park, Ireland’s sixth and smallest national park. A vast unspoilt wilderness that is surrounded by the Nephin Beg Mountain range. The park comprises of a unique Atlantic blanket bog and mountainous terrain. While there, we’ll get out and enjoy a walk in what is deemed as Ireland’s last wilderness.

There’s more spectacular Mayo coastal scenery which takes us around Clew Bay to visit the National Famine Memorial at the foot of Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holiest mountain! You can choose to slog it up the pilgrim’s walk to St Patrick’s Church on the peak or visit Mescan Brewery, a much more advisable option! Mescan was St Patrick’s brewer. A brewery run by two ex-veterinarians, when they had pilfered enough stainless steel tanks from farmers they built their own brewery. Bart, one half of the partnership is from Belgium so Belgian beers are their speciality.

Finally, another busy day comes to a close. We’ll overnight in the beautiful town of Westport, Co Mayo. Enjoy lots of pubs, restaurants and music in this lively town.

Day 6 – Westport to Dublin

Enjoy a little free time for shopping in the charming town of Westport. Saying farewell to the West of Ireland is never easy. We’ll make a stop at the Museum of Country Life to see exhibitions representing traditional ways of life in rural Ireland since 1850.

Our last brewery stop is at Black Donkey brewing where Richard tells us his tale of returning from the US with brewing ideas and how they reached fruition. He is a wonderful storyteller which complements tastings of his farmhouse beers very nicely. Lunch in the nearby Roscommon town before returning  to Dublin for drop-offs and hugs in the city centre.

• Cancellation of your booking must be in writing or by email to Brewery Hops of Ireland.
• Deposits of 10% are non-refundable but are transferable to another date free of charge.
• Balance of tour payment is due 30 days before the tour date. You will receive a notification that payment will be taken through your credit card on which you made the original booking.
• You are entitled to a full refund only if you give us 30+ days notice of your intention to cancel.
• You are entitled to a 50% refund if you give us less than 30 days notice of your intention to cancel.
• If you choose to cancel 7 days or less before the start of your tour, no refunds will be granted. You can choose to change your tour departure to another date (subject to availability). Permission to do these 48 hours before departure is subject to a €30 euro fee and is entirely at the discretion of the Brewery Hops of Ireland Management.
• If the reason for your cancellation is covered under your insurance policy, you may be able to make a claim under that policy.
• If you are late for the bus on the morning of departure or are a no show, you will get fully charged for the tour that you have booked as we have reserved a seat or seats for you.
• Please note that in addition to the tour price cancellation charges set out below, the client may also incur cancellation fees in respect of any accommodation or other suppliers who have already been paid or part paid.
• If the client wishes to change to an alternative departure date, this must be done with a minimum of 30 days notice.