A pint and a half one’ traditionally refers to a pint of Guinness and a single measure of Irish whiskey; the perfect combination in any Irish pub. This tour blends the best of Ireland’s flavours and landscapes — visiting breweries and distilleries while taking in breathtaking scenery from rolling countryside to wild coastal views. Soak up the lively pub atmosphere, enjoy traditional music, and discover charming towns, heritage sites, and local gems. It’s a small-group adventure as perfectly balanced as a Pint and a Half One.
Off we go, depart Dublin and drive an hour South to visit the Rock of Dunamase – a completely off the beaten track heritage site. Despite the castle’s ruined state, we get a sense of its former grandeur as home to Strongbow. The stunning views of the surrounding countryside make it well worth the stop.
Our first brewery visit is a terroir tour – join brewery owner and 13th generation farmer, David on a guided walk around the barley field and hop garden, where he grows the ingredients used to make the award-winning Ballykilcavan beers at Ballykilcavan brewery.
Travel further into Ireland’s Ancient East which also happens to be the best barley growing region in Ireland. Set in the picturesque Irish countryside, Ballykeefe Distillery is an entirely independent, artisan, family-owned Single Estate Whiskey Distillery, which was built in 2016 to diversify a working family farm.
Interesting fact: A single estate Whiskey distillery is one where all grain is sown, grown, harvested and distilled onsite. This makes it a uniquely 100% ‘field to glass “Single Estate” Whiskey distillery’ which is the case with Ballykeefe distillery. Morgan will talk you through his family traditions and vision for the future.
Overnight in the beautiful medieval city of Kilkenny, stroll the castle gardens beside the River with some superb photo opportunities. There are plenty of excellent pubs and restaurants to enjoy in this lively city. If you want to book a table in advance I recommend Petronella.
Overnight in Kilkenny, accommodation: Langton’s Hotel.
Stop to marvel at the Rock of Cashel, one of the oldest and most impressive heritage sites in Ireland. Caiseal na Rí meaning the fortress of the kings.
Time to visit Ireland’s most famous distillery in Midleton, Co. Cork where John Jameson started triple distilling whiskey in 1780 and thought it was, “So smooth I would drink it even if my name were not on it”.
Whilst in Midleton, we pay a visit to the beautiful Choctaw famine monument which is a fitting tribute to the American Indians who sent financial aid to the Irish people during famine times.
Overnight in the quaint and colourful town of Kinsale which is full of top class seafood restaurants, pubs and live traditional music.
Overnight in Kinsale.
Enjoy some free time in Kinsale this morning. Follow the Wild Atlantic Way to one of Ireland’s newest craft distilleries, Clonakilty Distillery in the historic town of the same name. The barley for this whiskey is grown near the local Galley lighthouse.
After lunch in Clon, follow the scenic route via the towns of Bantry and Glengariff to Kenmare.
Visit Tom Crean brewery in the beautiful town of Kenmare named after the great Antarctic explorer. A family run business, meet Tom’s grand-daughter Aileen and husband Bill, he brews the beer and she regales the history of this famous explorer.
Overnight in Lagom Townhouse in Kenmare, a very popular travel destination and a vibrant town. This evening you’ll be free to enjoy the many restaurants and pubs of Kenmare with live traditional music. If you want to book a table in advance I recommend Lagom restaurant downstairs from the accommodation.
Overnight in Kenmare.
Get excited now for one of the best towns in Ireland, Dingle!!
Take the Ring of Kerry road to visit Killarney National Park which encompasses Ireland’s most precious natural habitats of ancient woodland, spectacular waterfalls and quiet lakes. The traditional way to explore the park is by horse & carriage.
An optional extra activity (€25) this jarvey or jaunting car as it’s known will take you from Torc waterfall, around Muckross Lake to the amazing ruin of Muckross Abbey and finish at Muckross House, a 19th century estate home.
On the Dingle peninsula, we will make a stop at Inch Beach, a long flat stretch of beautiful sands and shallow waters perfect for swimming. Who is brave enough for the Atlantic ocean?
Spend the afternoon exploring the breathtaking Slea Head Drive, with a stop at the West Kerry Brewery for a craft beer tasting experience. The day concludes at the award-winning Dingle Distillery, where you’ll enjoy tastings of their renowned vodka, gin, and whiskey.
Overnight in Tower view house, a 10 minute walk from the town centre. Dingle is packed with great restaurants, pubs and live music. For seafood, you need to book Out of the Blue or Doyles. Plenty of pubs to choose from too.
Overnight in Dingle.
Start your day at a relaxed pace with some free time to explore the charming town of Dingle. Stroll through local shops filled with handmade arts and crafts.
Next, enjoy a coffee break in Adare, often hailed as one of Ireland’s most picturesque villages. Admire the iconic thatched cottages dating back to 1835–1870.
Continue on to Limerick, known as the Treaty City. Here, we’ll stop for lunch and a visit to the historic Treaty City Brewery, housed in a 250-year-old building beside St. John’s Castle in the heart of the medieval quarter.
End the day with a stay at Lahinch Ocean Suites along the scenic Wild Atlantic Way — a true haven for surfers and golfers alike.
Eat at The Cornerstone and have a pint in the old style pub Frawley’s pub.
Overnight in Lahinch.
No visit to County Clare is complete without experiencing the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher. Soaring 214 metres (702 feet) above the Atlantic Ocean, these iconic cliffs span five miles of dramatic coastline. Don’t miss O’Brien’s Tower, a historic vantage point offering panoramic views for centuries. Continue your journey through the unique limestone landscape of the Burren in County Clare — a region rich in natural beauty and heritage.
Round out your tour with a special whiskey tasting with Timmy at Sean’s Bar, sampling three exceptional Sean’s own whiskies while hearing the fascinating history of Irish whiskey, including its origins at the nearby Clonmacnoise monastic site. A perfect place to finish your journey through Ireland and a fantastic way to end the tour, sláinte!
Our tour sets off from Dublin to Kilkenny via the hidden gem of the Rock of Dunamase. Staying overnight in the medieval city of Kilkenny, we travel on to the foodie paradise of Kinsale in County Cork, taking in the famous Midleton Distillery en route.
Staying overnight in Kinsale, we then venture through breathtaking scenery into County Kerry, staying overnight in Kenmare. From there we travel through Killarney National Park to the wonderful town of Dingle, where we stay before a trip to County Clare and the Cliffs of Moher.
This route is a favorite among first-time visitors to Ireland, as it covers many major attractions as well as some lesser-known hidden gems along with a balanced combo of large and small breweries and distilleries.
Do not miss this experience!! Lifetime memories and new friends. No better way to enjoy the hidden places in the Wild Atlantic cities of Ireland. Get on bus, relax, learn all about Ireland and enjoy the five day tour. New city each day and the craft breweries are a once in a lifetime trip.
The Wild Atlantic Way brewery tour was fantastic. The venues were interesting and the beer was delicious. As a homebrewer it was very interesting to hear from the craft brewers around Ireland about why they make what they make and the challenges they face running their business. The scenery was awesome and the towns and accommodations really gave us a feel for small town Ireland. Mia was absolutely amazing as a tour guide. She provided so much information on Irish history, culture, and the natural wonders we saw. Plus her personality is well suited for a small bus group, she made our experience wonderful.
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.
