Trip Overview

Though it might not always have been, Ireland is now home to a burgeoning foodie culture. Gone are the days of rustic dishes of cabbage and spuds. Mixing tradition with modern methods, these days, Irish restaurants, cafés and chefs are creating unique, amazing dishes using local ingredients. One of the best times to enjoy a culinary tour of Ireland is during autumn, just after harvest, when much of the produce is fresh and at its most delicious.

This private departure trip is ideal for anyone looking to visit in the offseason, preferring to travel with friends and family rather than join a group departure. On this trip, you will meet local experts, learn new skills, taste the best of Irish cuisine, and explore the beauty of Ireland during autumn. If desired, it can be adapted for other seasons, though it is designed to take advantage of autumn colours, tastes and experiences.

Day 1 – Galway & Hot Smoking Workshop Read Less: Day 1
Galway & Hot Smoking Workshop
Starting your foodie tour of Ireland on the west coast, we’ll meet in the beautiful and lively city of Galway. Taking part in a masterclass, assist your chef in preparing, filleting, brining, and cooking the best of wild Atlantic seafood, learning to hot smoke Irish salmon, mussels, mackerel and more in an authentic wood-chip smoking oven. And then, of course, you’ll have to taste the wares. Learn to pair wines with your delicious smoked fish. Later, have time to wander the colourful streets, shops, cafés and pubs of Galway.
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2 – Connemara & Shellfish Farm Read Less: Day 2
Connemara & Shellfish Farm
Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way is known and beloved for its seafood. After becoming a master at hot-smoking salmon and shellfish, you’ll go to right to the source. In the heart of the Connemara wilds on a beautiful coastal outcrop, visit a shellfish farm to taste the coveted delicacy of Atlantic Oysters. Today, only a few farmers raise Atlantic oysters, and many say that the taste of Atlantic oysters is superior to that of other shellfish. Only in season in autumn and early winter, we’ll get a rare chance to taste these delicious oysters – straight from farm to fork.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 – Hiking in the Burren National Park Read Less: Day 3
Hiking in the Burren National Park
Heading south, today you’ll get the chance to hike through one of Ireland’s most wild – and bizarre – landscapes, the Burren National Park. Exposed limestone landscapes extend in all directions, with rocky crags leaving just enough room for small plants and spring wildflowers to grow. Said to have inspired JRR Tolkien’s depictions of Middle Earth in Lord of the Rings, the Burren is home to many fascinating features, from unique karst mountains to ancient Neolithic sites and networks of caves. Your guide will lead you on a hike through the Burren, tailored to your interests and ability levels.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 – Seashore Foraging Read Less: Day 4
Seashore Foraging
Never far from the coast, we head back to the beach, where we’ll meet a local foraging expert who will take you on a seashore foraging expedition. Learn all about various types of seaweed and other edible ocean plants, considered a superfood and valued for its many health benefits. A foraging expedition isn’t complete with a tasting. Later, enjoy a lovely walk along some of Ireland’s most beautiful coastal scenery. Because of the autumn season, you’ll likely get this amazing panorama all to yourself.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 – Irish Goat’s Cheese Read Less: Day 5
Irish Goat’s Cheese
Ireland has long been renowned for its dairy products – with some of the most delicious being goat’s cheese. In the heart of County Clare, meet an expert goat farmer who will give you a tour of the working goat farm – not only will you learn about goats, but you’ll get to pet the animals, learn about sustainable farming, see a cheese-making demonstration – and of course taste some of the rich, fresh goat cheese.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 – Exploring Killarney National Park Read Less: Day 6
Exploring Killarney National Park
Autumn is the perfect season for wildlife watching. Today, you’ll go on an autumn hike through the golden-red leaves of Killarney National Park. On our hike, we’ll learn about the flora surrounding us and the important role it plays in Ireland’s ecosystem. Keep an eye out for the red deer of the Killarney, as autumn is often the best time to spot them. When not spotting wildlife, enjoy the lovely scenery of Killarney, Ireland’s first national park. This time of year, you’ll have much of the park’s trails to yourself. On your final night, enjoy the lively, bustling downtown of Killarney.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7 – Killarney Town & Depart Read Less: Day 7
Killarney Town & Depart
Enjoy a leisurely morning in Killarney town and perhaps time for a stroll around the town and some last-minute souvenir shopping before heading to the train station to start your onwards journey.
Meals Included: Breakfast

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Private Departures

An Irish Autumn Foodie Adventure

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Private Departures

An Irish Autumn Foodie Adventure

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Accommodation Read More

This trip features Deluxe standard accommodations chosen for their excellent luxury, location, and comfort. Expect high-end, comfortable, and characterful lodging in luxurious guesthouses, boutique hotels, and historic manor houses.

Accommodation is a choice of double or twin rooms, which are en-suite with a shower. Evening meals will be taken either in local towns, which offer a good choice of restaurants to suit every taste or perhaps in a different location along the route depending on the day’s activities.

Inclusions Read More

6 nights accommodation in hand-picked, family-run guesthouses, B&Bs & boutique hotels
Meals as indicated, incl. all breakfasts and lunches
The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide/driver throughout
All transport throughout the trip, starting in Galway and finishing in Killarney
Activities stated in the itinerary, including:
- Hot smoking workshop
- Shellfish farm visit & tasting
- Seashore foraging
- Visit to a goat farm & cheese tasting

Optional Upgrades Read More

Optional Upgrade: Killary Harbour RIB Tour

In a watery version of farm to fork, explore the aquaculture of western Ireland. Using a high-powered speedboat, get out onto the water of Killary Fjord, one of just three fjords in Ireland, to marvel at the beautiful coastal scenes. Your skipper can take you out to see mussel ropes to see where half of your mussel frites come from.

Optional Upgrade: Wild Cooking Class

Apply newly-gained foraging knowledge to a wild cooking class led by an expert chef. You’ll get the chance to cook a meal using foraged ingredients, turning them into beautifully delicious wild dishes.

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Wilderness Scotland

An Irish Autumn Foodie Adventure

Trip Overview

Day by DayItinerary

Day 1

Galway & Hot Smoking Workshop

Day 2

Connemara & Shellfish Farm

Day 3

Hiking in the Burren National Park

Day 4

Seashore Foraging

Day 5

Irish Goat’s Cheese

Day 6

Exploring Killarney National Park

Day 7

Killarney Town & Depart

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Trip Details

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