6 Day By Hook to Crook Craft Beer Tour
If you’ve conquered our flagship Wild Atlantic Way tour, then it’s time to discover a different route.
By Hook to Crook is a spectacular 6-day journey from Dublin through Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford and Cork, following Ireland’s beautiful south-eastern coastline and countryside. From dramatic coastal scenery and ancient landmarks to charming towns, local food and unforgettable Irish hospitality, this is a route packed with variety.
Oliver Cromwell is reputed to have said that the town of Waterford would fall ‘by Hook or by Crooke’, an allusion to landing his army at one of the aforementioned two villages of Hook Head and the nearby Crooke during the siege of the Irish town in 1650.
This tour takes you off the well-worn path and into some of Ireland’s most fascinating corners.
Six days. Four counties. One unforgettable adventure.
If you loved the Wild Atlantic Way, By Hook or Crook may just be your next Irish adventure.
Multi Day Tours
Dublin City to Wexford
Pick-up at Holiday Inn, O’ Connell St at 9am.
We leave Dublin behind and head south into the beautiful Garden of Ireland — County Wicklow.
Our first stop is Wicklow Wolf, where you’ll discover one of Ireland’s most exciting independent craft breweries. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at their brewing story, followed by the chance to sample some of their award-winning beers.
From there, we continue our journey through Wicklow with a visit to Wicklow Brewery for bavarian style beers and lunch in the adjoining Mickey Finn’s.
Wexford to Dungarvan
Today we continue our journey along Ireland’s beautiful south coast, beginning in the charming fishing village of Kilmore Quay. Take in the harbour, coastal views and the relaxed atmosphere of this picturesque corner of County Wexford.
From here, we make our way to Hook Head, where dramatic cliffs, crashing Atlantic waves and the iconic Hook Lighthouse create one of the most spectacular coastal settings in Ireland.
We then continue west to Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city, where we explore the historic Viking Triangle and uncover the city’s fascinating Viking heritage.
Our final stop of the day is Dungarvan Brewing, where we can enjoy a taste of local craft brewing before settling into the seaside town of Dungarvan for the evening.
Overnight: Dungarvan
Dungarvan to Kinsale
Our first stop is Ardmore, a charming coastal village steeped in history. Here we’ll explore the remains of St Declan’s Monastery, including the impressive round tower and ancient church, while taking in the beautiful coastal surroundings.
In Cork, we’ll visit the famous English Market, a wonderful place to experience the very best of local produce and Irish food culture.
From Cork, we make our way to Kinsale, one of Ireland’s most colourful and picturesque harbour towns. We then head to Black’s Brewery & Distillery, where we’ll discover the craft and creativity behind their locally produced beers and spirits.
We’ll settle in here for the evening, with time to explore the charming streets, waterfront and lively atmosphere.
Kinsale to Baltimore
We begin at Old Head of Kinsale, a dramatic headland jutting into the Atlantic. With its rugged cliffs and sweeping ocean views, it’s a stunning place to experience the wild beauty of the Cork coastline.
From there, we explore Charles Fort, one of Ireland’s finest surviving star-shaped fortresses. Overlooking Kinsale Harbour, the fort has played an important role in Ireland’s military history and offers spectacular views across the water.
We then head to Black’s Brewery & Distillery, where we’ll discover the craft and creativity behind their locally produced beers and spirits. It’s a chance to meet the makers, hear their story and sample some of their creations.
With the afternoon at leisure, there’s time to enjoy more of Kinsale — perhaps wandering its colourful streets, browsing the local shops or relaxing by the harbour.
Kinsale to Clonakilty
Today we head deeper into West Cork, where rugged coastlines, colourful towns and wild Atlantic scenery take centre stage.
From Clonakilty, we journey towards Mizen Head, Ireland’s most south-westerly point. Dramatic cliffs, crashing Atlantic waves and spectacular views make this one of the highlights of the entire journey. The famous Mizen Head Signal Station sits dramatically above the sea, connected by a spectacular bridge to the mainland.
We then continue to Baltimore, a beautiful harbour village overlooking the islands and Atlantic coastline. Here we’ll visit West Cork Brewing, discovering another of the region’s fantastic independent breweries and enjoying a taste of locally crafted beer.
After a day exploring the wild beauty of West Cork, we overnight in Clonakilty, one of West Cork’s most characterful towns.
Clonakilty to Dublin
For our final day, we leave West Cork behind and begin our journey back towards Dublin, with a few memorable stops along the way.
Our first stop is Cahir Castle, one of Ireland’s most impressive and best-preserved medieval castles. Set dramatically on a rocky island in the River Suir, the castle offers a fascinating glimpse into Ireland’s turbulent past.
We then continue to Whitefield, where we’ll finish the tour on a high note with a brewery tour and a relaxed BBQ lunch. It’s the perfect opportunity to raise a glass, enjoy some great local food and reflect on the adventures of the past six days.
After lunch, we make our way back towards Dublin, bringing our By Hook to Crook adventure to a close.
The Route
By Hook to Crook is a six-day adventure travelling from Ireland’s east coast to the wild west.
From Dublin, we journey through Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford and Cork, discovering the character of Ireland’s southern counties.
Experience dramatic coastal scenery stretching from Hook Head to Mizen Head, alongside charming towns and beautiful countryside.
Enjoy local food, craft breweries and the warm hospitality that Ireland is famous for.
Six days, endless scenery, great craic and a completely different side of Ireland to discover.
Guest Reviews...
Mia made our trip unforgettable! Her deep knowledge of the history, great sense of humor and positive attitude made us feel welcomed on day 1.
Our second phenomenal tour with Mia and Brewery Hops! Enjoy the countryside and back roads of Ireland while getting a cultural education from an extremely knowledgeable tour guide! Can’t wait for our next visit.
Mia is simply fantastic! Our family had the most wonderful trip in Ireland, in large part to Mia’s flexibility, enthusiasm, and fantastic planning…We cannot recommend her and her company more!
Mia is the best tour guide you could ever ask for! I was extremely impressed with her knowledge of Ireland…I can’t recommend her tours enough!
Tour Gallery
Be Ready for Adventure!
Make sure to bring a sense of adventure as we’ll leave no stone unturned. Expect some unscheduled stops along the way to catch a rainbow, visit a local festival or see treasured cultural sites on our route. There are always welcome surprises.
