Day 1
Dublin City to Kilkenny
 

Set against the backdrop of the Great Sugarloaf Mountain and drawing from an underground lake of pure water that lies beneath the Estate, Powerscourt sets the perfect stage for distilling Irish whiskey. Enjoy a guided tour of the distillery and on-site maturation warehouse followed by three samples of their award winning Fercullen Irish Whiskeys.

Travel further into Ireland’s Ancient East which also happens to be the best barley growing region in Ireland. Set in the picturesque Irish countryside, Ballykeefe Distillery is an entirely independent, artisan, family-owned Single Estate Whiskey Distillery, which was built in 2016 to diversify a working family farm for successor generations. It produces a range of premium spirits on an  eco-friendly  farm distillery. For centuries there were thousands of small family farm distilleries dotted across Ireland, a tradition that was lost for well over 200 years. Ballykeefe Distillery is the first to revive that historical legacy of Irish Whiskey being produced on a working family farm, beginning operation in August 2017.

Interesting fact: A single estate Whiskey distillery is one where all grain is sown, grown, harvested and distilled onsite. This makes it a uniquely 100% ‘field to glass “Single Estate” Whiskey distillery’ which is the case with Ballykeefe distillery. Morgan Ging will talk you through his family traditions and vision for the future.

Overnight in the beautiful medieval city of Kilkenny, stroll the castle gardens beside the River with some excellent photo opportunities. There are plenty of excellent pubs and restaurants to enjoy in this lively city.
 
Powerscourt Distillery
Exceptional state-of-the-art distillery
 

 
Ballykeefe Distillery
Producers of: Single Estate Whiskey, Ballykeefe vodka and gin
Day 2
Kilkenny to Clonakilty
 
Visit Waterford’s Copper coast scenic drive which got its name from its once thriving copper mining industry. Visit the 5th century monastic site of St Declan, a 12th Century round tower and cathedral in this seaside town.

Onto Ireland’s most well known distillery – Jameson Distillery in Midleton, Co Cork where John Jameson started triple distilling whiskey in 1780 and thought it was “So smooth I would drink it even if my name were not on it”. We take the premium whiskey tasting tour at Midelton distillery.

Whilst in Midleton, we pay a visit to the beautiful Choctaw famine monument which is a fitting tribute to the American Indians who sent financial aid to the Irish people during famine times.

Drive time West to the picturesque town of Clonakilty, Co Cork. Visit one of Ireland’s newest craft distilleries, Clonakilty Distillery in the historic town of the same name. The barley for this whiskey is grown near the local Galley lighthouse.

Overnight in Clonakilty, a great town to discover.

 
 
Jameson Midleton Distillery
 
ClonakiltyDistillery
 
 
 Day 3
Clonakilty to Dingle
 
 

Take the Ring of Kerry road to visit Killarney National Park which encompasses Ireland’s most precious natural habitats of ancient woodland, spectacular waterfalls and quiet lakes. The traditional way to explore the park is by horse & carriage known as a jaunting car. This will take you from Torc waterfall, around Muckross Lake to the abbey and finish at Muckross House, a 19th century estate home. 

Visit one of Ireland’s newest distilleries, Killarney Distillery on the Ring of Kerry. This is a state of the art distillery overlooking the Gap of Dunloe. After lunch, we head for Dingle – get excited NOW!! Dingle is one of those charming towns that is a highlight for many. It’s a bright and colourful town packed with local arts and crafts shops and a pub thrown in at every glance.   

Overnight in Dingle which has many top class seafood restaurants, the best of Irish pubs and live traditional music. 
 
Killarney Distillery
Day 5
Dingle day
 
Enjoy the Slea head drive – one of Ireland’s most impressive coastal drives. 

Visit Dingle Distillery for an in depth tour and tastings of Dingle gin, vodka and whiskey. This distillery won World’s best gin in London in 2019, commonly referred to as one of Ireland’s best botanical gins. Dingle whiskey is being released in small batches each one getting better in colour and flavour. Enjoy some free time in the evening to stroll Dingle town, packed with local arts and crafts shops.
 
 
Dingle Distillery
 
 
Day 5
Dingle to Clare
 
Travel from Dingle to Co Clare via the ferry across the Shannon estuary. Visit one of the lesser known hidden gems in Ireland – Loop Head. We travel out to the Lighthouse and have some spectacular sea cliff walks and sea stack views. Visit the bridges of ross, a natural sea arch along this special stretch of coastline. Enjoy local seafood in The Long Dock for lunch.

Louise McGuane founded The Chapel Gate Irish Whiskey Company on the McGuane family farm. The farm has been in her family for generations and is still farmed today by Louise’s father P.J. She wanted to ensure the continuity of the farm so Louise makes JJ Corry whiskey named after a local entrepreneur in the 1800’s who also bonded whiskey. Louise produces and bonds their own JJ Corry whiskey on the family farm since 2016.

Overnight in the 4 *Lahinch Coastal Suites on the beautiful coast of Co Clare.
 
The Chapel Gate Irish Whiskey Company

Day 6
Clare to Dublin
 
A trip to Clare 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. Travel the coast road through the unique Burren region, a limestone karst landscape which was formed 350 million years ago.

The last stop on the Irish whiskey tour trail is at Tullamore DEW. The creator of Tullamore D.E.W. was Daniel E Williams a self-made man who worked his way up from a stable boy of the distillery to become the owner. He brought electricity and motorised automobiles to Tullamore and created a whiskey known the world over.

A fine toast to end the tour!
 
Tullamore Dew

• 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.