Ireland Beyond the Guidebooks is a hosted journey designed to introduce you to Ireland through its people, places, flavors, traditions, and unforgettable landscapes.
We’ll begin in Dublin, settling in for three nights at a carefully selected hotel on beautiful St. Stephen’s Green. A private guided tour will bring the city’s history and character to life, followed by time to make Dublin your own. Visit Trinity College and the Book of Kells, tour the Guinness Storehouse, or create a truly personal Irish keepsake by forging your own Claddagh ring with a local artisan.
One day is yours to enjoy Dublin as you wish. Explore, shop, relax, or join me for a journey into Ireland’s ancient past at Brú na Bóinne in County Meath, home to the remarkable passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth. Dating to around 3200 BC, these UNESCO World Heritage Sites are older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. Newgrange is famed for its winter solstice alignment, while Knowth is celebrated for its impressive megalithic art.
From Dublin, we’ll head into County Wicklow, the “Garden of Ireland,” to discover the atmospheric monastic ruins and lakes of Glendalough. Then comes one of the trip’s special experiences: an exclusive cooking adventure at Ballyknocken Cooking School and Farm with a TV-personality chef. Roll up your sleeves, work with local ingredients, share in the laughter, and experience the warmth of an Irish kitchen firsthand.
Next, we travel west to Galway, a lively city where history, music, food, and personality meet around every corner. We’ll explore Galway through its stories and flavors, with optional adventures such as kayaking or a visit to a local distillery.
The dramatic west coast awaits as we venture to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren with a private guide. We’ll also explore the Loop Head Peninsula, one of County Clare’s most spectacular and less-traveled corners. Jutting dramatically into the Atlantic, Loop Head is a place of rugged cliffs, sea caves, windswept roads, and enormous ocean views. It is Ireland at its most untamed and peaceful, and exactly the kind of place that captures the spirit of traveling beyond the guidebooks.
Then we make our way to Dingle, our home for three nights. This is where we’ll really dig into local culture. We’ll discover the ancient beehive huts, set out on an exciting sea safari, experience a traditional Irish sheepdog demonstration, and have a chance at an extraordinary Dark Sky guided experience. There will also be time to settle into the rhythm of Dingle, browsing colorful shops, sampling local food, listening to traditional music, and finding a welcoming pub where a conversation with a local can become one of your favorite memories. For those looking for a little more adventure, optional horseback riding through the beautiful Dingle countryside offers another wonderful way to experience the landscape.
Our final stop is Adare, where we’ll spend one memorable night before departing from Shannon Airport. We’ll gather for an exclusive farewell dinner, raising a glass to the experiences, discoveries, and friendships made along the way.
I hope you’ll come with me. I’ve curated this journey as a chance to slow down, experience Ireland in a more personal way, and share some truly special moments along the way. I can already imagine the laughter around the dinner table, the music in the pubs, the breathtaking views, and all the stories we’ll bring home with us. I’d love for you to be part of it!
