Day 1 – Dublin City to Kilkenny

We depart Dublin and visit the Rock of Dunamase – a completely off the beaten track heritage site. Despite the castle’s ruined state, we get a sense of its former grandeur as home to Strongbow. The stunning views of the surrounding countryside make it well worth the stop.

Our first brewery visit is a terroir tour – join brewery owner and 13th generation farmer, David on a guided walk around the barley field and hop garden, where he grows the ingredients used to make the award-winning Ballykilcavan beers. Then, follow David through the historic stone farmyard and into the on-site working brewery to hear his family stories and learn the artful process behind crafting beer. Finish up with a tutored tasting of four different Ballykilcavan beers within a restored 19th century mill house.

In the evening we head for the medieval city of Kilkenny. Go back in time and explore Ireland’s Medieval Mile, linking the 13th century St. Canice’s Cathedral to the Anglo-Norman Kilkenny Castle. Overnight in the city which is packed with excellent pubs and restaurants. 

Day 2 – Kilkenny to Kenmare

Start the day with a visit to the Rock of Cashel, one of the oldest and most impressive archaelogical sites in Ireland. Caiseal na Rí meaning the fortress of the kings. Take a guided tour or wander the site at leisure. 

Travel west to the kingdom of Kerry. Visit Tom Crean’s brewery in the beautiful town of Kenmare. A family run business, Tom Crean’s grand-daughter Aileen runs the restaurant while her husband Bill brews the beer and regales the history of this famous Antarctic explorer.

Stay in Kenmare, a picturesque and colourful little town on the Ring of Kerry. The evening will be free to enjoy the many restaurants and pubs of Kenmare with live traditional music. 

Day 3 – Kenmare to Dingle

Get excited for Dingle which is always a highlight. But first, travel along the beautiful ring of kerry road visiting Killarney National Park and Torc waterfall en route, there is an option to take a horse and carriage ride through the Muckross estate to visit Muckross Abbey.

Heading out on the Dingle peninsula, we will make a stop at Inch Beach. This long flat stretch of beautiful sands and shallow waters is perfect for swimming. Plenty of brewery hoppers have braved the Atlantic, just putting it out there!!

Enjoy one of Ireland’s most scenic drives around the Slea Head Drive with plenty of photo opportunities. This is where we will find Ireland’s most westerly brewpub called West Kerry Brewery. This is a real hidden gem, brewing beer in very small batches – some in cask being served in the adjoining pub. Adrienne, the brewster is a passionate artist and takes pride in her garden also using botanicals in the brewing process where possible. The summer ale uses rose hips and the autumn stout uses blackberries both creating great aroma and flavours. This cosy pub is a place you could get lost in time and forget entirely about the world.

Dingle is one of Ireland’s most charming towns and is a highlight for many. It’s a bright and colourful town packed with local arts and crafts shops with a pub thrown in at every opportunity. Overnight in Dingle, enjoy a choice of award-winning restaurants, pubs and live traditional music. The craic agus ceol is always flowing in Dingle.

Day 4 – Dingle Day

We have had so many requests for more time in Dingle, we decided to make it a 2 night stay and give you a little free time.

Morning at leisure for a sleep-in, shopping, walking Dingle marina or taking a boat trip out of the harbour with Dingle Boat Charters.

In the afternoon, we will visit Dick Mac's Brewhouse, once a cowshed now it produces great beer. Tour and beers tasting in the courtyard's afternoon sun. (Never guaranteed in Ireland, bring a raincoat!).

Dinner in Dingle is always a highlight especially if you like seafood and of course the pubs are always playing the best traditonal Irish music.

Day 5 – Dingle to Co Clare

Ready for road again, we travel North to Adare, a beautiful heritage town in Co. Limerick for a coffee stop and a walk around one of Ireland’s prettiest villages. The town is famous for its thatched cottages built between 1835–70.

Visit Treaty City Brewery in Limerick city. These tours are a unique and fun experience in a historical building dating back 250 years ago in the heart of the medieval quarter. Learn about the history of brewing in Limerick which dates back to the 1700’s from Stephen, owner and native to Limerick. He has definitely kissed the blarney stone and has more than a few stories to tell! Engineer by trade, brewer by choice!

Stay beside the Atlantic, options for a sea swim or beach stroll. 

Day 5 – Lahinch to Dublin

A trip to Ireland would not be complete without a visit to the Cliffs of Moher. Standing 214m (702 feet) high, the cliffs stretch for 5 miles along the Atlantic coast. O’ Brien’s Tower has served as a viewing point for hundreds of years. You’ll be able to take a walk on the ‘wild side’, to get the true cliff experience and witness the Wild Atlantic waves majestically break below the cliffs.

Our final brewery stop is at Dead Centre Brewery accompanied by a visit to Seans bar - the oldest pub in Ireland since 900AD.

Drive time back to Dublin for farewells at approx 5:30/6pm. One drop off back to 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.