Ag-venture tour to Ireland

When you arrive in Dublin, you can’t help but become a little bit Irish. So kick off with fun-packed traditional Irish music, dances and dinner at the Arlington Hotel. Next day, you’re ready to head west to the Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens in County Kildare, famous as Ireland’s foremost horse racing region.  Then on to Kilkenny where we stay for three nights. This city boasts a rich medieval heritage and landmarks like the magnificent Kilkenny Castle.  We’re also in a heartland of farming so will visit potato, cropping and other active farms. In neighbouring County Wexford, we visit Johnstown Castle Research Centre and adjoining Irish Agricultural Museum followed by a visit to nearby Carrigbyrne Farm and Cheese Company. 

The harbour town of Kinsale in County Cork is considered the ‘Gourmet Capital of Ireland’ with many lively pubs, great restaurants and interesting shops and galleries. It is close to Cobh, home of the Heritage Centre. Cobh was the last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic and the port of embarkation for over 2.5 million people who emigrated to North America around the time of the famine.    Then on to the village of Bunratty.  From this base, we visit Rathlahine Farm in the nearby town of Newmarket-on-Fergus for a dairy tour & farm lunch. Bunratty Castle & Folk Park is a “must see” and we’ll dine without utensils at the renowned Bunratty Medieval Banquet with typical Irish entertainment. Don’t miss Durty Nelly’s, probably Ireland’s most famous pub, where there is usually a lively music session in full swing.  We’ll spend a day at the farm show near Charleville, and then head to the starkly beautiful west coast to visit the spectacular Cliffs of Moher Continue north along the coast into the unique landscape of The Burren, an area composed of limestone hills. Cross country through the Midlands to Navan is a beautiful drive and takes us to the megalithic stone work of Newgrange. The tombs predate the Pyramids of Egypt and are now one of Ireland’s most visited attractions. This is another key agricultural area so more farm visits are planned. Finally, back to Dublin.  The hop-on-hop-off Bus gives you a narrated tour of the city enabling each person to decide which of the many major city attractions they would like to visit during your final free day. You’ll return home with the luck of the Irish in your pocket.