Great Trips... Made Better With Beer!
The Beery Soul of Ireland
June 9 - 19, 2024
Classic Pubs, Amazing Scenery, Great Traditional Music, Excellent Meals, Small Craft Breweries, and the Irish folks! A great variety of Irish Spirits and plenty of Craic, as well. Sláinte!!
Dublin | Inis Mór/Aran Islands | Connemara | Galway | Limerick
Late Spring in Ireland is hard to beat! The days are long, and the Irish weather is (sometimes) better!
The history, people, and landscapes of Ireland are rich and varied. And slowly, but surely, its deeply rooted pub and music culture is making a little room at the bar for good, local, craft beer. Join us for a thorough investigation of this beer trend. With stays in bustling Dublin, 2 nights and a full day on spectacular Inis Mór - the largest of the remote, historic, once-fortified Aran Islands, an overnighter on the wild Connemara, a weekend in vibrant Galway, and 2 more nights in Limerick.
We'll enjoy local 'Craic', people, and pub music that will make you sing along. Enjoy and discover a great variety of land- and sea-scapes, archaeology, pub culture, architecture, folklore, history, and friendly Irish people, not to mention a good sampling of craft brews. Fine hotels in excellent locations serve as comfortable bases, and travel by private coach makes it easy along the way! We'll explore the pubs of Dublin, the local flavor on Inis Mór, the wild Connemara, the friendly streets of Galway, the lunar-scaped Burren, the Cliffs of Moher, and the lanes of Limerick, as we imbibe with the locals at more than a few hand selected pubs and craft breweries -- with time to explore -- along the way.
Trip Price (Land-only, Based on double occupancy)
$3,695 per person | Single Room add extra $885
Beer Highlights & Brewery Visits
Craft breweries in out-of-the-way places | Hand-picked pubs loaded with history and a good beer list. | Traditional music pubs | Beer focused meals | Time for Guinness and Jamesons too!
Overnight Stays*
Fine, centrally located hotels, 9 nights total: 2 nights Dublin | 2 nights Inis Mór | 1 night Leenaun | 2 nights Galway | 2 nights Limerick
Included Tours
Locally Guided Walking Tours in Dublin, Galway, and Limerick. Plus pub crawls & touring Connemara and The Burren on our private transportation -- the "Beer Bus", with local touring and support on the Aran Islands.
Included Meals
9 Breakfasts | 5 Lunches | 4 Dinners
Transportation
Begins in Dublin. Ends in Limerick, Ireland. Flights to Shannon International or Dublin both work for this trip, depending on your departure city/airport. On the ground, we travel by private bus, ferry, bicycle, horse & trap, and your own feet on old footsteps.
Daily Itinerary*
Day 1, Sunday - June 9
Fly to Ireland
Embark on a hoppy journey as you depart the US bound for the lush landscapes of Ireland, aptly known as the Emerald Isle. Whether you touch down in Shannon or Dublin, the adventure kicks off in the heart of Dublin. Get ready for an ale-infused escapade!
Overnight aloft.
Day 2, Monday - June 10
Walking tour, Dublin Welcome Dinner
Upon arrival in Ireland, transfer to our hotel in the heart of Dublin. There are several transfer options, including shuttles, buses, and private transfers to Dublin - The 'Fair City on the Liffey,' where history mingles with merriment. We'll begin with a locally guided walking city tour/pub crawl, with local history, a stop or two in a famous pub, some orientation, and local tips for our Dublin days. It's not really a 'Dirty Old Town', the famous song that you will definitely hear all over Ireland, and Dublin too, is actually about Salton in the UK, outside Manchester. Dublin is also known as The Big Smoke - in the old days there was a distillery or a tannery on virtually every street, and many smokestacks. Today, Dublin is a thriving and bustling European capital city, with a style of its own. At the end the tour, we'll eat, drink, and be merry at our beery Welcome Dinner, in historic and storied environs. The rest of the evening is free.
Overnight in Dublin. (D)
Day 3, Tuesday - June 11
Free day in Dublin, Craft Beer Pub Crawl, Jamesons? Guinness Storehouse?
Today is free to thoroughly drink-in and explore the ecclectic spirit of Dublin. You have a chance to wander the parks, visit Trinity College, explore local neighborhood pubs, or take in a couple of Dublin's famous institutions -- the Guinness Storehouse and the Jameson Distillery. So many choices for a late-spring day in Dublin. The evening is free – with many great restaurants, pubs, and live music venues to see. No doubt small bands of merry-makers will form before the day ends.
Overnight in Dublin. (B)
Day 4, Wednesday - June 12
To Inis Mór, via Doolin, Pub lunch, Ferry, Joe Watty's Pub Dinner
An early start today, as we say goodbye to Dublin and travel to the wilds of West Ireland, ending up in Inis Mór, Aran Islands this evening. Along the way we'll visit charming, crafty, musical Doolin. Here we'll have time to visit its eccletic little shops, explore a bit and have a pub lunch at a classic, 'been there forever' pub. After lunch we'll travel the very short way to the ferry terminal to catch the boat to Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands, and our home for the next two nights. Upon arrival will stop for a pint, get the lay of the land, and transfer to the hotel. Stepping off the ferry is a bit like stepping back in time, as true old Irish traditions still exist on the island. You will see horses & traps, knitted woolen caps, and hear people speaking old Irish in the pub. Two days here affords us the opportunity to escape the daily tourist migration and get to know the locals on this scenic and historic Island. Tonight we will have dinner in the excellent, and extremely local Joe Watty's.
Overnight in Inis Mor. (B, L, D)
Day 5, Thursday - June 13
Full Day to Explore Inis Mor - Horse & Trap, Hikes, (E-)Bikes, Ancient Forts, Island Scenery
This morning is free until our early afternoon lunch, just a short walk or ride from our hotel. There many possible morning excursions in all directions. After lunch, theisolated, lofty Cliff Fort - Dún Aonghasa, the Na Seacht dTeampaill - The Seven Churches, and the Poll na bPéist - The Wormhole, await your disovery. Each very worthwhile and all close to our lodgings. This is a walker's or cyclist's Island if ever there was one. And cycling back or ambling home from the local pub is an island pastime.
Overnight in Inis Mor. (B, L)
Day 6, Friday - June 14
Connemara, Roundstone Lunch, Bridewell Brewing, Bogs, to Leenaun
This morning we'll catch the ferry to the mainland, and travel west to the Connemara. We'll explore some bogs, a brewery, and have a seaside lunch, before we end up in scenic Leenaun, for an overnight in the wild west of Ireland. Bridewell brewing and Connemara brewery's beers are on our list today.
Overnight in Leenaun. (B, L)
Day 7, Saturday - June 15
Kylemore Abbey, Mescan Brewery, Cong, to Galway, Walking Tour, Local Dinner
This morning, after a lovely breakfast, will continue our touring around Connemara, with stops at Kylemore Abbey and the historic village of Cong. Along the way we'll have a brewery visit and a pub lunch, before ending up in Galway later this afternoon, our home for the next 2 nights. This evening, we will meet our local guide for a walk around this lovely city to learn a bit about the historic families, pubs, traditional music, and legends that make up the cultural fabric of Galway. Tonight we will enjoy a lovely meal of local Irish food served with the appropriate local Irish beers. Sláinte. Afterwards some great music, pub or street, and a Saturday night in Galway comes with good doses of Craic - (Irish for good times) and Hookers (the local boat and a local beer too)!
Overnight in Galway. (B, L, D)
Day 8, Sunday - June 16
Free day in Galway
Today is totally free to enjoy Galway on a weekend. A couple good craft beer bars, the Salthiill promenade, street performers, music pubs, merry makers, markets, and plenty of things to see and do in this classic Irish town on a Sunday - beer or otherwise.
Overnight in Galway. (B)
Day 9, Monday - June 17
To Limerick, via The Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Western Herd Brewery, PM Limerick Walk
Today we'll take in even more epic and quintessentially Irish scenery. See the lunar-scaped Burren, an ancient dolmen, a ruined castle, before Lisdoonvarna - home to the matchmaker festival, and the Burren Brewery where we will have lunch and stories and beer. This afternoon, we'll visit the mighty Cliffs of Moher. After time to walk, explore the cliffs, and snap some acrophobic photographs, we will make a stop at Western Herd Brewery, set historically in a 'shed' built by the family grandfather on their remote farm. We will hear a few stories, see the old buildings, visit the brewery, and taste the full range of beers, before continuing the short way to Limerick City on the mighty Shannon River. Check-in and regather for a guided walk around town – a pub stop along the way, of course, and a chance to ask questions to a Limerick local.
Overnight in Limerick. (B, L)
Day 10, Tuesday - June 18
Free Day in Limerick City, Farewell Beer Dinner
This morning after a hearty Irish breakfast, the history, legends, and lanes of Limerick await, in what was known for centuries as the most beautiful city in Ireland. The day is free with plenty to do, see, and drink-in. Tonight we'll celebrate a happy trip at our Farewell Dinner, with a nice local beer list, and stories and pub tales from the trip. Cheers!
Overnight in Limerick. (B, D)
Day 11, Wednesday - June 19
End of the trip...
Alas, time to go home. Transfers to Shannon or Dublin Airport are easily arranged.
Overnight Your House. (B)
Trip Deposit (per person)
$400.00
Number of person:
* The deposit is refundable less a $50 cancellation fee up to 60 days prior to departure. For cancellations made less than 60 days prior to departure, the full deposit will be forfeited. For cancellations made after final payment, refunds will be made (where possible) according to service contracts and supplier guidelines; these refunds will be based on recoverable expenses. See the full Terms and Conditions here.
TRAVEL DETAILS:
Air Travel is not included. Travelers are encouraged to use mileage awards, travel outside group dates, or visit other European cities while abroad to make the most out of the trip. Please confirm the trip's operation before purchasing air tickets.
Most Trips officially begin in the lobby of the first hotel. Meeting times, information about getting from the airport or train station to the hotel, the detailed itinerary, hotel addresses, and a trip roster will be included with your Final Trip Documents, which you'll receive 2 - 3 weeks before the trip.
How we travel on tour: All included excursions and visits include transportation. Within the cities, we rely on walking and private or public transportation (uber, taxis, busses, trams, etc.). Travel between cities is by private motor coach, luxury van, ferry, and/or rail.
REGARDING INCLUDED MEALS AND BEER:
We don't mess around when it comes to food and beer. Restaurants -- tried and true -- have been carefully selected, based on quality, local knowledge, and insider tips. On a Beer Trip, included meals mean you may order as you please - including beer, appetizers, dessert, etc. We are not stingy -- a lot of food and beer is included on every Beer Trip.
PLEASE NOTE:
A BeerTrips beer tour is best suited for somewhat adventurous, beer-loving travelers who want the camaraderie and structure of a tour, as well as the opportunity to explore independently. Planned events, brewery visits, locally guided tours, and some excursions are, of course, formally "guided". Travel days, on trains, public means, or the beer bus, as well some group walks, are blissfully unstructured, though travelers can always rely on the support and assistance of the trip leader.
THIS ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE:
In rare cases, it may be necessary to alter the itinerary based on brewery or hotel availability, force majeur, acts of dieties, common sense, or bad weather, etc. Smaller breweries, as well as the Trappists, are often unable to commit to hosting groups until a couple of weeks before we arrive. Substitutions, when necessary, will be as good as what we replaced. And, don't worry, the beer is always good!