Upon arrival at Dublin International Airport you will be transferred privately to your hotel in central Dublin, The Grafton - a stylish luxury hotel marked with art deco aesthetics. The hotel has an on-site restaurant, bar, and coffee shop. Located just a stone's throw from Grafton Street, The Grafton is the most central hotel in Dublin's City Centre, making it convenient and safe to explore the city on foot.

Fusing sophisticated, modern design with artfully curated amenities, The Grafton is the sort of Dublin hotel you will never want to check out of. Imagine sleek, ‘Gatzbyesque’ style interiors that offer the comfort you need at the end of your day.

Here at the hotel, you'll be warmly greeted by your Tour Director, Cairín. Cairín is a certified National Tour Guide. She grew up in Dublin and is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin. Cairín spent twelve years marketing Irish Farmhouse Cheeses. She was Cofounder of Traditional Cheese Company and also worked with CÁIS, the Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers Association, which gave her an in depth knowledge of the Irish countryside. Cairín is a Culinary Tour Guide with the World Food Travel Association.

This evening, discover the heart of Dublin through its culinary delights. You will be introduced to the authentic tastes and tales that have shaped Dublin’s rich food heritage. Our Tour Director will lead you through the heart of Dublin’s culinary and cultural heritage, sharing the stories that make each bite and drink unforgettable. End the tour at the famous Fallon & Byrne Food Hall, relax with a glass of wine and sample Cairín's specially curated Irish Cheeseboard.

If desired, travels can also opt in to a fully guided journey through the seven floors of the Guinness Storehouse, finishing the tour with a pint of Guinness or Guinness 0.0 at the Gravity bar (additional cost).

This morning drive North out of Dublin to visit Sheridans Cheesemongers, for an exclusive tour of their maturing rooms. Sheridans Cheesemongers sell farmhouse cheeses and specialty foods that are handmade in Ireland, as well as a wide selection of artisan foods from across Europe.

The tour will be followed by a brown bread making demonstration. Irish brown bread is a variant of soda bread that is a staple in Ireland the same way white bread is thought to be a staple in American kitchens. It is extremely versatile and can be used at any meal, or even as a snack. You'll then finish the visit with a 2-course lunch made with local produce.

After lunch depart for the Boyne Valley to meet the founders of Boyne Valley Farmhouse Cheese. Michael and Jenny Finegan established Boyne Valley Farmhouse Cheese in 2010 on the family farm in Co. Meath.

The first product made was Boyne Valley Blue, a semi-hard blue goats cheese. This was the only blue goats cheese being made in Ireland so it was able to fill a gap in the market. Boyne Valley Blue has many awards in Ireland and the UK. In The British Cheese Awards, International Cheese Awards and the Artisan Cheese Awards in Melton Mowbray.

Inside 200-year-old stone building on the farm, this creamery produces cheeses including Boyne Valley Bán, a goat’s milk tomme-style cheese, and Boyne Valley Blue. Boyne Valley Bán has earned major recognition, including Gold and “Best Irish Cheese” at the British Cheese Awards and 3 stars with a Golden Fork nomination at the Great Taste Awards.

Michael is a 3rd generation farmer in partnership with his father. They farm cattle, tillage and dairy goats outside Slane in the heart of the Boyne Valley. You will be shown around the cheesemaking facility and have the cheese making process explained. Most important of all, taste cheese and milk there and then. Finally walk through the goat shed and see their 400 goats. These animals provide the luscious goats milk for Boyne Valley Cheese.

At the end of the afternoon, drive back to Dublin to enjoy the evening at leisure.

Optional Activity: 3 Course Celtic Dinner Show. This evening the magic of Ireland comes to life through food, music and dance. After a 3-course dinner this captivating Irish dance show takes you on a journey deep into the heart of Irish culture, offering a truly immersive experience that will leave you enchanted.

After 2 nights in Dublin, guests will pack up to be transferred to Cork today. After breakfast at the hotel, guests will be assisted with the check-out process.

Depart Dublin and drive two hours to Cooleeney Farm, where you are welcomed by Breda Maher for a tour and tasting. The Maher family are the fourth generation of Maher’s to work the land at Cooleeney, outside Thurles in Co. Tipperary. All the milk in production comes from the family’s own pedigree Friesians, with goat’s milk supplied locally from two Tipperary farmers. Faced with an excess of milk due to cutbacks in guaranteed milk prices, Breda and Jim were forced to find a means of adding value to their milk production.

Breda’s background in hotel management meant she had always been interested in food and she was excited by the idea of cheese making. In 1984, Breda decided to take a cheese making course in University College Cork and in 1986 Cooleeney was born. Breda chose to produce a soft, camembert-style cheese because the market was full of hard cheeses at the time. Cooleeney now produces up to 12 different varieties of cheeses both cows and goats, soft and semi hard.

On the way to Cashel Farmhouse, stop at the Rock of Cashel on route for a photo stop at this iconic landmark. Set on a dramatic outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale, The Rock of Cashel possesses the most impressive cluster of medieval buildings in Ireland. Among the monuments to be found there is a round tower, a high cross, a Romanesque chapel, a Gothic cathedral, an abbey, the Hall of the Vicars Choral and a fifteenth-century Tower House. Originally the seat of the kings of Munster, according to legend St. Patrick himself came here to convert King Aenghus to Christianity.

Arrive at Cashel Farmhouse Cheesemakers, home of Ireland’s original Farmhouse Blues, to meet Sarah Furno and the Cashel Blue Team for a Tasting Experience that encompasses the maturation journey of their cheese. When Louis & Jane Grubb set out to make Cashel Blue in the early 1980’s, their ambition was to create a farmhouse cheese that “truly represents the outstanding quality of Tipperary grass-fed milk.” Today, 40 years later and in the hands of the 2nd generation, Cashel Blue is still made by hand on the same 200-acre farm; Beechmount, in Co. Tipperary, Ireland.

Enjoy a 2-course lunch at a typically Irish pub nearby.

This afternoon embark on a fully hosted tour through the original Midleton Distillery, where Jameson Whiskey is made. Guests will learn about the hard-working people and field-to-glass processes responsible for the whiskeys that make up Midleton Distillery’s seven iconic brands. On this tour, one of their ambassadors will guide you around some of the key buildings, including the warehouses. The tour finishes with the chance to enjoy a guided comparative tasting of three famous whiskeys, including Jameson.

Guests will check in to their accommodations in Cork, The Imperial Hotel - a historical landmark and luxury hotel.

Travelers will have the rest of the evening at leisure to explore Cork at their own pace.

First thing this morning, explore the famous English Market. First opened in 1788, the English Market is one of the oldest municipal markets in the world. As soon as you enter, you’ll feel the energy of this buzzing foodie space. Local vendors sell fruits, vegetables, cheese, charcuterie and more at colourful stalls – many maintaining traditions that have lasted generations. You’ll encounter traditional Cork foods such as drisheen (blood sausage) and tripe, as well as local favourites including The Real Olive Company’s fresh pesto and olive oil, Frank Hedderman’s smoked salmon and Toonsbridge Dairy cheeses.

Drive 20 minutes outside of Cork for an exclusive visit to Hegarty’s Farm. You will be met by the owner, Dan Hegarty, for a tour and tasting. Since 2001, Hegartys have produced award winning cheeses using only the milk produced by their herd of Irish Friesian cows, making their cheese fully traceable from the field to the finished product.

Continue on to Blarney Castle, the home of the Blarney Stone. Built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftans, Cormac MacCarthy, it has been attracting attention ever since. Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney making it a world landmark and one of Ireland’s greatest treasures. That might have something to do with the Blarney Stone, the legendary Stone of Eloquence, found at the top of the tower. Kiss it and you’ll never again be lost for words.

After touring the castle and gardens, enjoy time at leisure at Blarney Woolen Mills for lunch and a bit of shopping.

Begin the afternoon with a visit to The Butter Museum. The Butter Museum is a unique institution, celebrating one of the great success stories of Ireland, the butter trade. Located in the historic Shandon area of Cork city, the story begins with the central role of dairy culture in the Island of Saints and Scholars. The Museum goes on to describe the internationally important Butter Exchange in nineteenth century Cork, the traditional craft of home butter making and the modern success of the Kerrygold brand.

Continue the drive South to Kinsale. Originally a medieval fishing port, the coastal enclave of Kinsale (from the Irish, Ceann tSaile – ‘Head of the Sea’) is fabled far and wide for its beauty and rich history. Your Tour Director will take you on a short walking tour of the town. You will be captivated by its spectacular waterfront setting and mediaeval influences. Brightly coloured buildings vie for attention with the glorious harbour which sustains the town.

For decades, Kinsale has attracted a plethora of talented artists and innovative entrepreneurs. This is reflected in the stunning boutique stores, cute and creative design shops and endless galleries and bookstores. Not only is Kinsale one of the most picturesque and oldest towns in Ireland, it is also internationally renowned for the number and quality of its famous eateries. It has been hailed as ‘The Gourmet Capital of Ireland’, with no shortage of cafés, pubs and restaurants.

After a final breakfast at the hotel, guests will be assisted with the check-out process and, at the scheduled time, transferred comfortably to Cork Airport for their onward departure flight.

$200 OFF YOUR RESERVATION IF BOOKED BY JUNE 1, 2026.
This discount will be applied to your final payment.

Travel Dates
April 14-18, 2027

Price
Double occupancy: $5,905 USD per person
Single occupancy: $6,695 USD per person

Inclusions Overview:

• Accommodation: 4-night hotel accommodations in Dublin and Cork
• Private Transportation with driver for all scheduled tours and transfers
• A local expert guide and all fees for activities and tours
• Gratuities for drivers, guides, and restaurants are included
• 9 Meals, as outlined in the daily itinerary details below
• Cheese and food tastings
  
  *please note that flights and meals not described in the itinerary are not included in this package. Airport transfers are included from Dublin airport, and to Cork airport.

Flights
Flights to/from Ireland are not included in this package price. To utilize the airport transfers included in this trip package, travelers must arrive to Dublin Airport (DUB) and depart from Cork Airport (ORK). Travelers should aim to arrive no later than mid-day on April 14. Note that the program's activities will begin in the afternoon of April 14th, so travelers should select their flights accordingly. Should you need to arrange a pre- or post- program hotel stay, please advise the trip manager.

Payment Schedule

• $100 per person due at time of booking to secure your space.
• Apx 30% deposit due August 25, 2026
• Remaining Balance due: December 15, 2026

Group Size and Minimum Requirement
This trip is designed for a group of 12-25 travelers. The trip will proceed only if a minimum of 12 participants is reached. If the minimum number of travelers do not book and make a deposit, this trip will be cancelled or rescheduled.

Health and Mobility Considerations
Participants should be in good physical condition as some activities require moderate walking. If you have mobility restrictions or need special accommodations, please inform us in advance.

Weather Conditions
Weather may impact outdoor activities. In case of adverse weather, alternative arrangements will be made.

Passenger Deposit, Cancellation, and Payment Schedule: 

• A non-refundable deposit of $100 USD per per person is required at the time of booking to secure your reservation. This deposit will be applied toward the final balance of your trip. If the trip is cancelled, you can apply this deposit to any future itinerary or travel experience with Vacationeeze.
• Deposit of approximately 30% due: August 25, 2026
• Remaining Balance due: December 15, 2026.
• Cancellation policy: All amounts paid are non-refundable. All cancellations are non refundable and result in the forfeiture of any payments made. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect against losses in unforeseen circumstances.
• Rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited spaces are available for this travel experience. Early bookings are encouraged.

Legal Disclaimer

By booking this tour, you agree to the terms and conditions outlined. The tour provider reserves the right to modify or cancel any part of the itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control. The provider is not liable for personal injury, loss, or damages during the trip.