Ireland 2026!
Éire
The Tour!
Personalised Itinerary for
William Cook
12 Day Driftwood Wild Coasts & Clover Tour
October 5th – 16th, 2026
Begin Your Journey
Departs
8:10 AM
Mon Oct 5
Returns
5–6 PM
Fri Oct 16
Pickup & Drop-off
Grand Canal Hotel, Dublin
Vehicle
Mercedes 15-Seat Mini-Coach
Luggage
1 Suitcase max 31" / 79cm
Questions?
enquiries@
vagabond.ie
Monday, October 5th
Medieval Monastery & Whiskey Tasting
Grand Canal Hotel, Dublin → Westport, Mayo
Average Driving: 4 hrs 30 min
Today's Schedule
- Meet your VagaGuide and fellow Driftwooders at the Grand Canal Hotel, Dublin — at least 15 minutes before 8:10 AM departure. Board your Mercedes tour vehicle for the trip of a lifetime!
- Self-guided tour of Clonmacnoise Included — a monastic city of enormous influence between the 9th–11th centuries, on the banks of the River Shannon.
- Lunch overlooking the River Shannon — Ireland & Britain's longest river.
- Whiskey tasting at Ahascragh Eco-Distillery Included — triple-distilled Irish whiskey in a renovated mill powered by solar, hydro, and wind. Ireland's first eco-distillery.
Make the Most of It
History · Don't Miss
Clonmacnoise Deep Dive
Founded by St Ciarán in 544 AD, this monastic city was the spiritual heart of early Ireland. Look for: the Cathedral (904 AD), three High Crosses including the Cross of the Scriptures, two round towers, eight churches, and a graveyard spanning 1,500 years. The Shannon setting is magical. Allow 90 minutes minimum.
Stop En Route · Athlone
Seán's Bar — World's Oldest Pub
A 10-minute detour brings you to Seán's Bar in Athlone — verified by Guinness World Records as Ireland's oldest pub, in continuous operation since 900 AD. The walls literally bulge with history. A pint here is a pint through a thousand years of Ireland.
Distillery · Eco Award
Ahascragh Distillery Insight
A genuinely unique Irish whiskey story — a community-powered distillery in a restored 19th-century mill in County Galway. The triple-distilled spirit is already award-winning. Buy a bottle — you won't find it at home. Your fee is already included in the tour price.
Billy's First Night Tip
You're arriving in Westport this evening — don't waste it. Head straight to Matt Molloy's on Bridge Street (owned by The Chieftains' flautist). The trad session usually gets going around 9–9:30pm. It's the real thing. Arrive early to get a seat.
Tuesday, October 6th
Free Time to Explore Westport
Westport, Mayo
Average Driving: 30 min · Second Night at Wyatt
Today's Schedule
- Optional short drive to the foothills of Croagh Patrick — Ireland's holy mountain (764m). Nearby: ruined 16th-century Murrisk Abbey and the haunting National Famine Memorial (skeleton ship sculpture).
- Guided Walking Tour of Westport Optional €12 Cash — insider stories, best local food tips, and the hidden history of this planned Georgian town.
- Free time in Westport — craft shops, cafés, restaurants, and the spectacular Westport Estate gardens within walking distance. This evening: traditional Irish music in Westport's famous pubs.
What to Do in Westport
Nature · Sacred Site
Croagh Patrick & Murrisk
Ireland's holiest mountain — where St Patrick fasted for 40 days. Even if you don't climb, the views of Clew Bay and its 365 islands from the foothills are extraordinary. The adjacent Murrisk Abbey ruins and the skeletal Famine Memorial ship make for a profoundly moving visit.
History
Westport House — The Pirate Queen's Legacy
One of Ireland's finest Georgian country houses, built by descendants of the legendary Grace O'Malley — 16th-century pirate queen of Connaught. 30 rooms open to visitors, riverside gardens, and an extraordinary family story connecting Mayo to the wider Atlantic world.
Activity
Great Western Greenway
Ireland's longest off-road cycling trail starts in Westport — 43km to Achill Island through Newport and Mulranny. Hire a bike in town and ride even 10km for stunning Clew Bay views and a pub stop en route. October light on the Reek from the trail is incredible.
Food
Best Food in Westport
Breakfast/Brunch: This Must Be the Place or The Creel Deli at the quay. Lunch: Christy's Harvest (boxty — traditional Irish potato pancakes, a Mayo specialty). Dinner: An Port Mór for seriously good West of Ireland cooking — crab cakes in seaweed polenta, local seafood. Book ahead.
Pub — The Best in Mayo
Matt Molloy's + Cobbler's + McCarthy's
Matt Molloy's on Bridge Street is the crown jewel — owned by The Chieftains' flautist, with nightly trad sessions of world class. Cobbler's Bar on the Octagon for a relaxed session. McCarthy's Bar on Quay Street for a livelier crowd. Westport has ~40 pubs. Trust the music.
Activity · Special
Clew Bay Oyster Farm Tour
A private guided boat tour of a working oyster farm on one of Ireland's most beautiful bays. Taste freshly harvested Clew Bay oysters right on the water — some of the finest in the world. Book ahead with local operators.
October Tip
October in Westport is golden — fewer crowds than summer, lower hotel prices, and the autumn light on Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick is some of the most beautiful you'll see in Ireland. The pubs are full of locals, not tourists. This is the real thing.
Wednesday, October 7th
Woods, Lakes & Galway City
Westport, Mayo → Connemara, Galway
Average Driving: 3 hrs
Today's Schedule
- Scenic drive along the banks of Lough Mask — a remote, largely untouched corner of Mayo.
- Stroll through Tourmakeady Woods with a 1-mile walk to a picturesque waterfall.
- Lakeside drive at Lough Nafooey — said in Irish mythology to be home to the Water Horse.
- Sheepdog demonstration in Connemara Included — watch dog and shepherd working in perfect unison on a working Irish farm.
- Free time in Galway City — buskers, street performers, Shop Street, Quay Street. The bohemian capital of the west.
Galway City — Make the Most of Your Free Time
Must Do
The Latin Quarter
Wander Shop Street, Quay Street, and High Street — medieval cobblestones alive with world-class buskers, independent galleries, craft shops, and the famous Saturday market beside St Nicholas' Church. Follow the streets west from Eyre Square and let the craic find you.
History
Spanish Arch & Claddagh Village
The 1584 arch is part of Galway's medieval walls — and Claddagh Village across the Corrib is the birthplace of the iconic Claddagh ring. Walk the Corrib riverside and soak in what remains of Galway's ancient fishing heritage.
Culture — Unique
Irish Harp Maker's Studio
Your tour includes a guided visit to Brian Callan's harp-making studio in rural County Galway — one of the most intimate and memorable experiences on the entire trip. A traditional Irish harpist and musical woodworker, Brian's work is extraordinary. Included in your tour fee.
Pubs — Galway's Best
Tigh Coili, The Crane & Monroe's
Tigh Coili on Mainguard St: sessions at 5pm and 9pm daily — Sharon Shannon sometimes turns up. No TVs, no distractions. The Crane Bar (Sea Road): upstairs sessions most nights, genuinely local. Monroe's Tavern for a younger, more electric crowd. Arrive early at Tigh Coili for a seat.
Food
Galway Oysters & Seafood
Galway Bay oysters are world-famous. Eat them raw with a pint of Guinness — the combination is perfect. Try McDonagh's on Quay Street for fish and chips that locals queue for, or Moran's on the Weir (20 min south) for the ultimate oyster experience with views of the Corrib.
Thursday, October 8th
Harp Studio, Caves & Falconry
Connemara, Galway → Lahinch, Clare
Average Driving: 2 hrs 30 min
Today's Schedule
- Guided visit to Brian Callan's harp-making studio Included in rural County Galway — learn the ancient art of traditional Irish harp-making from a master craftsman.
- Aillwee Burren Experience Included — interactive Birds of Prey experience (falconry) and a guided tour of spectacular limestone caves. The 800m cave path is paved with a descent of 26 steps.
- Michael Cusack Centre, Carran, Clare Included — birthplace of GAA founder Michael Cusack. Learn the history of hurling and Gaelic football, Ireland's national sports.
The Burren — Ireland's Lunar Landscape
Nature · Unique on Earth
The Burren
An alien karst landscape of grey limestone — yet miraculously covered in Arctic, Mediterranean, and Alpine wildflowers. Drive the slow roads and stop at every gate. The light in October on this landscape is something painters chase from around the world.
History · 5,000 Years Old
Poulnabrone Dolmen
A Neolithic portal tomb from 3,800–3,200 BC, standing dramatically in the open limestone. Older than the pyramids. The walk from the car park is 5 minutes — place your hand on the capstone and feel the weight of 5,000 years.
Pub — Legendary
Gus O'Connor's, Doolin
One of Ireland's most famous traditional music pubs — just 3km from Lahinch. O'Connor's has been the heartbeat of Clare trad music for generations. The sessions are spontaneous and sublime. Pair a pint with their seafood chowder and brown bread. A must on your Lahinch evenings.
Town — Lahinch
Lahinch Town & Surf Beach
Ireland's surf capital — a small, lively town on the Atlantic with a beautiful beach right at the hotel's doorstep. The Cornerstone gastropub does excellent food. O'Looney's is right on the beach for a wind-buffeted pint with Atlantic views. In October, the swells are proper.
Friday, October 9th
Cliffs of Moher & the Aran Islands
Lahinch, Clare — Choose Your Adventure
Average Driving: 2 hrs 30 min · Second Night at Lahinch
Today's Schedule — Choose Option A or B (or relax!)
- Option A — Aran Islands Visit Optional €50: 15-minute boat trip from Doolin to Inisheer. Tour the island by horse-drawn carriage — dry stone walls, shipwrecks, ancient churches. Return boat gives unique views of the Cliffs of Moher from the sea.
- Option B — Cliffs of Moher & North Clare Included: Majestic 700-ft cliffs, scenic drive through limestone Clare, golden sand at Fanore Beach, Poulnabrone Dolmen, and lunch in Lisdoonvarna.
- Option C — Lahinch Downtime: Surf lesson, beach walk, or simply relax at the hotel.
Both Options Are Extraordinary
Option A — Aran Islands
Inisheer by Horse-Drawn Carriage
The smallest of the Aran Islands — timeless, Irish-speaking, and utterly otherworldly. Your horse-drawn carriage passes the 10th-century Cill Gobnait church (half-buried in sand), the wreck of the MV Plassey, and miles of ancient dry stone walls. The return boat passes directly under the Cliffs of Moher. Worth every cent of the €50.
Option B — Cliffs of Moher
700 Feet of Wild Atlantic Drama
Walk the cliff path away from the visitor centre for solitude and the best views — in October you may almost have it to yourself. The light in autumn is extraordinary. Then north through limestone Clare to Fanore Beach (one of Ireland's most beautiful) and the 5,000-year-old Poulnabrone Dolmen in the open Burren.
Pub — Lisdoonvarna
Lunch in Lisdoonvarna & Doolin Trad
Lisdoonvarna's famous Matchmaking Festival may be winding down in October but the craic continues. Lunch at the Roadside Tavern — excellent gastropub food. Then evening trad at Gus O'Connor's in Doolin or McGann's. The Clare session tradition is arguably the finest in Ireland.
Billy's Recommendation
Take the Aran Islands trip. The Cliffs of Moher are magnificent — but you'll see them from the sea on the return boat anyway. Inisheer is one of those places that stays with you forever: the light, the silence, the sound of Irish being spoken, and a horse clip-clopping past a 10th-century church half-buried in Atlantic sand.
Saturday, October 10th
The Lakes of Killarney
Lahinch, Clare → Parknasilla, Kerry
Average Driving: 4 hrs · Shannon Ferry Crossing Included
Today's Schedule
- Shannon Ferry crossing Included — watch for low-flying dolphins as you cross the Shannon Estuary. One of Ireland's great ferry rides.
- Option A — Killarney Lakes by Boat Optional €15: See the famous lakes with stunning mountain vistas in all directions — a genuinely special way to experience Kerry.
- Option B — Killarney National Park on Foot Free: Red deer in ancient oak forests; the mighty yew tree at Muckross Abbey; the Long Range valley walk.
- Scenic drive through Moll's Gap — Queen Victoria's favourite Kerry viewpoint — to Parknasilla.
Option A · On the Water
Killarney Lakes Boat Trip
The lakes of Killarney are one of Ireland's great natural wonders — Upper Lake, Muckross Lake, and Lough Leane ringed by ancient woodlands and the MacGillycuddy's Reeks. By boat in October, as the trees turn gold, this is heart-stopping scenery. Only €15 extra — worth every cent.
Option B · On Foot
Muckross Abbey & Red Deer
A 15th-century Franciscan friary in near-perfect ruin, deep in the national park. A massive yew tree grows in the cloister — said to be as old as the abbey itself. The native red deer of Killarney roam freely here. Deeply atmospheric in October mist.
Scenic Drive
Moll's Gap & Ladies' View
The mountain pass between Killarney and Kenmare, with views that stopped Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting speechless in 1861. In October, the valley below blazes with autumn colour. Stop at the viewpoint — it's one of the most photographed scenes in all of Ireland.
Food — Kenmare
Dinner in Kenmare
Kenmare is Kerry's most charming town — a triangle of streets with exceptional restaurants. The Lime Tree for romantic candlelit dinner with local lamb and Kerry seafood. Cronin's Yard for hearty traditional fare. PF McCarthy's pub for a post-dinner trad session and a proper pint.
Sunday, October 11th
Free Time on the Ring of Kerry
Parknasilla, Kerry
Average Driving: 1 hr 30 min · Second Night at Parknasilla
Today's Schedule — Relaxed Day at Your Pace
- Option A — Ring of Kerry Drive: Scenic drive to Derrynane House Optional €5 — ancestral home of Daniel O'Connell and one of Ireland's most beautiful beaches. Drive the Skellig Ring via Waterville and Portmagee for wilder, less-tourist scenery.
- Option B — Parknasilla Resort: Spa, outdoor infinity pool, swimming, walking trails across 500 acres of coastal grounds. Parknasilla's private 9-hole golf course Optional extra fee — one of Ireland's most scenic.
History · Optional €5
Derrynane House
The ancestral home of Daniel O'Connell — "The Liberator" who achieved Catholic emancipation for Ireland without firing a shot. Set in a wild coastal demesne above one of Kerry's finest beaches. Derrynane Bay at low tide is extraordinary. Only €5 entry — outstanding value.
Scenic Drive
The Skellig Ring — Kerry's Secret Road
Skip the main Ring of Kerry coaches — the Skellig Ring via Ballinskelligs and Portmagee is wilder, quieter, and more dramatic. Views of Skellig Michael (Star Wars filming location) from St Finian's Bay are unforgettable. Portmagee's Bridge Bar does excellent crab claws and trad on Sunday afternoons.
Parknasilla
Resort Activities
The outdoor infinity pool overlooking Kenmare Bay is one of the most spectacular places to swim in Ireland — even in October the salt water is refreshing. The spa is exceptional. Kayaking around the hotel's private cove is available weather permitting. Walking trails run for miles through the estate.
Pro Tip — Sunday at Parknasilla
Sunday evening in the Parknasilla bar with a Kerry whiskey in hand, watching the tide come in on Kenmare Bay. Shaw wrote here, O'Connell rode these roads, and you're sitting in one of the most luxurious spots in Ireland. Take a long walk before dinner — the estate paths by the shore are magical in autumn dusk.
Monday, October 12th
Exploring West Cork
Parknasilla, Kerry → Kinsale, Cork
Average Driving: 3 hrs 30 min
Today's Schedule
- Cross the Caha Mountains — the spectacular border between Cork and Kerry. One of Ireland's finest mountain passes.
- Skibbereen Heritage Centre Included — West Cork Famine history, local wildlife, and nature. One of Ireland's most important and moving heritage experiences.
- Visit Ancient Stone Circles — West Cork has some of the finest Bronze Age stone circles in Ireland. Drombeg Stone Circle (the "Druid's Altar") is nearby and extraordinary.
- Medieval ruins of Timoleague Franciscan Friary — beautiful riverside ruins, free to visit, almost always peaceful.
- Arrive in Kinsale — the gourmet capital of Ireland. Free evening to explore.
Kinsale — Your First Evening
Food — Michelin Star
Bastion Restaurant
Kinsale's only Michelin-starred restaurant — chef Paul McDonald's tasting menu is a masterclass in West Cork cooking. Local sea bass, Cork seafood, and remarkable desserts. Book this for tonight if you haven't already. It will be the best meal of the trip.
Food — Iconic
Fishy Fishy Restaurant
No reservations — arrive early and queue. The crabmeat cocktail and daily catch are legendary. This is the seafood restaurant that put Kinsale on the culinary map. Go for lunch tomorrow if you're going to Bastion tonight.
Pub — 1690
The Greyhound & Kitty Ó Sé's
The Greyhound (Market Square) is Kinsale's oldest pub from 1690 — candlelight, red panelling, a roaring fire, and Murphy's Stout (you're in Cork now). Kitty Ó Sé's has live music sessions most nights and unmissable seafood chowder. Start at the Greyhound, finish at Kitty's.
Tuesday, October 13th
Free Time in Kinsale
Kinsale, Cork — Your Oyster
Average Driving: 1 hr 30 min · Second Night at Actons
Today's Schedule — Choose Your Adventures
- Morning Option A: Scenic drive to the Old Head of Kinsale — visit the Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance, a memorial to 9/11 heroes in a stunning coastal setting above the site where the Lusitania was torpedoed in 1915.
- Morning Option B: Kinsale Walking History Tour Optional €12 Cash — medieval streets, Battle of Kinsale stories, colourful harbourfront buildings.
- Afternoon Option A: Charles Fort Guided Tour Optional €5 — one of Europe's best-preserved star-shaped forts with extraordinary harbour views.
- Afternoon Option B: Kinsale Harbour Cruise Optional €16 — see Charles Fort, James Fort, and the harbour from the water.
- Afternoon Option C: Guided tour and tasting at Kinsale Mead Company Optional extra — Ireland's traditional honey wine, revived in Kinsale.
History · Optional €5
Charles Fort
Built in 1677, one of Europe's finest star-shaped artillery forts in near-perfect condition. The rampart views over Kinsale Harbour are extraordinary. Combine with the Scilly Walk — a gorgeous 6km coastal loop from Kinsale town to the fort along the water's edge, past hidden beaches and views of the outer harbour.
History & Nature
Old Head of Kinsale
The dramatic headland where the Lusitania was sunk in 1915 — 1,200 lives lost within sight of the Irish coast. The clifftop drive and Ringfinnan memorial garden are deeply moving. In October, the storms rolling in off the Atlantic make the cliff walk genuinely dramatic.
Food Tour
Kinsale Food Town Walking Tour
Kinsale earned its reputation as the gourmet capital of Ireland honestly. A guided food tour visits chocolatiers, chefs, mead makers, and fishermen. Even an informal wander past Fishy Fishy, Man Friday (open since 1978), and Max's will reveal why this town punches far above its weight.
Wednesday, October 14th
Blarney, Copper Coast & the Comeraghs
Kinsale, Cork → Faithlegg, Waterford
Average Driving: 4 hrs
Today's Schedule
- Blarney Castle & Gardens Included — kiss the Blarney Stone for the gift of the gab, or simply wander the gorgeous castle gardens. The Rock Close is magical.
- Lunch in Dungarvan — a handsome harbour town perfectly situated between mountains and sea.
- Scenic drive through the Comeragh Mountains — optional short walk to Mahon Falls, one of Waterford's most dramatic waterfalls.
- Drive the Copper Coast — Ireland's best-kept secret, a UNESCO Global Geopark of dramatic rocky bays and sandy beaches.
History · Included
Blarney Castle
The 15th-century tower house is one of Ireland's most visited landmarks. The Blarney Stone (hung backwards over a sheer drop at the castle's parapet) is said to bestow the "gift of eloquence." The surrounding grounds — Witch's Kitchen, the Druid's Cave, the Wishing Steps — are genuinely magical. Allow 2 hours.
Nature · Waterford
Mahon Falls & Comeragh Mountains
A stunning waterfall tumbling off the Comeragh plateau into a glacial corrie — a short walk from the car park on a road through some of Ireland's most unspoiled mountain scenery. October colours in the Comeraghs are spectacular. One of Waterford's best-kept secrets.
Nature · UNESCO Geopark
The Copper Coast
12 miles of ancient copper-bearing cliffs and secret sandy coves from Tramore to Dungarvan. The geology tells 460 million years of Earth's story. Stop at the Copper Coast Geopark Centre in Bunmahon, walk down to the beach, and watch the Atlantic swell roll in on an October afternoon.
History · Viking City
Waterford — Ireland's Oldest City
Founded by the Vikings in 914 AD — if you have time before checking in, the Waterford Viking Triangle is compact and excellent. Reginald's Tower (Ireland's oldest civic building, 1003 AD) and the Medieval Museum with the Great Charter Roll are world-class. Free evening to explore if you arrive early.
Thursday, October 15th
Garden Visit & Kilkenny
Faithlegg, Waterford → Kilkenny City
Average Driving: 1 hr 30 min
Today's Schedule
- Guided tour of Mount Congreve Gardens Included — one of the largest private plant collections in the world. 70 acres with over 3,000 rhododendron cultivars. Autumn colour in October is extraordinary.
- Guided tour of Jerpoint Abbey Included — 12th-century Cistercian ruins with magnificent stone carvings. Your guide includes the legend of St Nicholas (Santa Claus) buried nearby.
- Free time in Kilkenny City — medieval streets, castle, pubs, and extraordinary food.
- Optional A: Kilkenny Castle self-guided tour €8
- Optional B: Smithwick's Brewery Tour & Ale Tasting €18
- Optional C: Shenanigans Walking Tour €22.40 — mixing facts, fun, and history through medieval Kilkenny
History · Optional €8
Kilkenny Castle
Built by Strongbow in 1195, one of Ireland's most iconic castles. The Long Gallery's magnificent ceiling and portraits are extraordinary. The 50-acre castle park on the River Nore is free and gorgeous. Walk the Medieval Mile from the castle to St Canice's Cathedral and its climbable 9th-century round tower.
Culture · Optional €18
Smithwick's Experience
The Smithwick's brewery was built on a 14th-century Franciscan abbey — medieval ruins are incorporated into the visitor experience. Taste the famous amber ale at source, 300 years of Kilkenny brewing history, and a genuinely entertaining tour. The ale tasting at the end is the highlight.
Pub — Historic
Kyteler's Inn — 1324
Kilkenny's oldest inn — Dame Alice de Kyteler was tried for Ireland's first witchcraft charge here in 1324 and escaped to England the night before her burning. Today: fantastic craic, live music, and great food. The ghost tour of Kilkenny at night visits here — do it if it's running.
Pub & Music
Cleere's Bar & The Hole in the Wall
Cleere's Bar: beloved combination of traditional pub and intimate theatre — Kilkenny's craic at its finest. The Hole in the Wall: housed in a Tudor mansion from 1582 — the oldest surviving townhouse in Ireland, lovingly restored. An extraordinary pint in the most historic interior you'll ever drink in.
Friday, October 16th · Final Day
Glendalough & Powerscourt
Kilkenny → Glendalough → Powerscourt → Dublin · Return 5–6 PM
Average Driving: 3 hrs
Today's Schedule
- Explore Glendalough — arguably Ireland's most beautiful glaciated valley. A 6th-century monastic city with two mountain lakes, ancient native forest, a perfect round tower, and 1,500 years of continuous use.
- Lunch in the Wicklow Mountains area.
- Powerscourt Waterfall Included — Ireland's highest waterfall, in a spectacular mountain setting.
- Powerscourt Gardens Optional €11 — 47 acres of magnificently landscaped terraced gardens rated among the world's finest.
- Powerscourt Distillery Tour & Tasting Optional €21 — the perfect final act: Irish whiskey tasting in the walled garden of Powerscourt Estate.
- Return to Grand Canal Hotel, Dublin between 5–6 PM. Farewell hugs all round.
History · Sacred · Unmissable
Glendalough
St Kevin founded this monastic settlement in a glacial valley in the 6th century. Two lakes, an almost-perfect round tower, ancient stone churches, and a forest of native oak and ash. The valley is enclosed by Wicklow mountains — misty, quiet, and profoundly atmospheric in October. Arrive before the tour groups and walk to the Upper Lake for silence and solitude.
Gardens · Optional €11
Powerscourt Estate & Gardens
47 acres of Italianate terraces, Japanese garden, walled garden, and fountains — with the Wicklow Mountains as a backdrop and the Sugar Loaf Mountain framing the view. Ranked among the great gardens of the world. In October the estate blazes with autumn colour. Ireland's highest waterfall is a 3km drive and free with your tour inclusion.
Whiskey · Optional €21 · Perfect Finale
Powerscourt Distillery
Set in the walled garden of Powerscourt Estate, this elegant craft distillery makes Irish whiskey, vodka, and gin. The guided tour through the stills and maturation warehouse ends with a tasting of their growing range. Raise a final glass to 12 days well spent. A perfect closing chapter. The distillery shop has excellent bottles to take home.
The Final Word
Do the Powerscourt Distillery tour and tasting. You've been through Kerry whiskey, Ahascragh eco-distillery, Smithwick's — end the journey with a Wicklow dram in a walled garden on one of Ireland's great estates. Then head home knowing you've seen the real Ireland. Sláinte, Billy.