Our Tours6 Day Pint and a Half One Tour
The Best Of Both
Can’t choose between Beer or Whiskey – Have them both!
‘A pint and a half one’ traditionally refers to a pint of Guinness and a single measure of Irish whiskey. The perfect combination whilst reading the paper or talking about the weather as is commonplace in any Irish country pub.
This 6 day small group tour visits craft breweries as well as whiskey distilleries such as the world famous Midelton Distillery, more commonly known as Jameson; and the smaller craft distilleries of Ballykeefe Distillery, Clonakilty and Dingle Distillery.
Enjoy the story of these traditional Irish industries that are reclaiming their former glory in terms of world class reputation. Irish whiskey was deemed to be the best in the World until US prohibition which almost led to the demise of our industry. Today, Ireland is regaining its rightful place as a global supplier of premium whiskey and there is a growing demand for it worldwide. Taste it for yourself at the source.
Enjoy the stunning scenery on this journey from rural countryside to coastal vistas. Experience the lively pub atmosphere and traditional music in small Irish towns and villages. These, along with heritage sites and local experiences make this small group tour as perfectly balanced as a Pint and a Half one.
Aug 12th – 17th, 2024
€1,595
Our Clients Love It!
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Tour Description
Discover The South by Distillery and Brewery
Day 1
Dublin City to Kilkenny city
We depart Dublin and 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. Then, follow David through the historic stone farmyard and into the on-site working brewery to hear his family stories and learn the artful process behind crafting beer. Finish up with a tutored tasting of four different Ballykilcavan beers within a restored 19th century mill house.
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 for successor generations. It produces a range of premium spirits on an eco-friendly farm distillery. For centuries there were thousands of small family farm distilleries dotted across Ireland, a tradition that was lost for well over 200 years. Ballykeefe Distillery is the first to revive that historical legacy of Irish Whiskey being produced on a working family farm, beginning operation in August 2017.
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 Ging 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 excellent photo opportunities. There are plenty of excellent pubs and restaurants to enjoy in this lively city.
Ballykeefe Distillery
Producers of: Single Estate Whiskey, Ballykeefe vodka and gin
Ballykilcavan Brewery
Producers of: Long Meadow IPA, Bambricks Brown ale, Binbawn pale ale
Day 2
Kilkenny to Kinsale
Start the day with a visit to the Rock of Cashel, one of the oldest and most impressive heritage sites in Ireland. Caiseal na Rí meaning the fortress of the kings. Take a guided tour or wander the site at leisure.
Time for a visit to 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”. This iconic building is where all Jameson products are made, enjoy a tour and tasting at the home of Irish whiskey.
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.
Drive to Kinsale to visit Kinsale Mead. Denis will give us an entertaining experience at Ireland’s first Meadery in 200 years. Overnight in the quaint and colourful town of Kinsale which is full of great restaurants, pubs and live traditional music.
Jameson Distillery
Producers of: Jameson Original, Jameson Caskmates, Jameson 12 year old reserve
Kinsale Mead
Producers of: Atlantic Dry Mead, Wild Red Mead, Hazy Summer Mead, Irish Wildflower Mead.
Day 3
Kinsale to Kenmare
Follow the Wild Atlantic Way around the Old Head of Kinsale with breathtaking views out to where the Lusitania was torpedoed in 1915.
Visit 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.
A stunning scenic drive takes us through the town of Bantry, around bays and over mountain passes to arrive in Kenmare.
Visit Tom Crean brewery in the beautiful town of Kenmare. A family run business, Tom Crean’s grand-daughter Aileen regales the history of this famous man whilst her husband Bill brews the beer named after his epic Antarctic expeditions.
Overnight in the quaint and colourful town of Kenmare. It’s a beautiful town nestled between two peninsulas.
Clonakilty Distillery
Producers of: Clonakilty Double Oak, Port Cask and Single Grain. Minke Gin
Tom Crean Brewery
Producers of: Expedition Ale, Six Magpies Stout, Scurvy Dog IPA, Druids Wheat beer
Day 4
Kenmare to Dingle
Take the Ring of Kerry 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 known as a jaunting car. This will take you from Torc waterfall, around Muckross Lake to the abbey and finish at Muckross House, a 19th century estate home. Formerly the house was owned by the Bourne Vincent family who gifted it to the Irish State in 1929.
On the short journey from Killarney to Dingle, we will make a stop at Inch Beach, a long flat stretch of beautiful sands and shallow waters perfect for swimming. How about a midday swim and lunch overlooking the beach?
Dingle is one of those charming towns that is a highlight for many. It’s a bright and colourful town packed with local arts and crafts shops and a pub thrown in at every glance. We will take the stunning scenery on the Slea Head Drive to Ireland’s most Westerly brewpub called Tig Bhric or West Kerry Brewery. This is a real hidden gem, they brew beer in very small batches – some in cask and serve them in the adjoining pub. Adrienne, the owner and brewster is a passionate artist and takes pride in her garden using botanicals in the brewing process as much as possible. The summer ale uses rose-hips and the autumn stout uses blackberries both creating great aroma and flavours. This cosy pub is a place you could get lost in time and forget entirely about the world but on we must go to Dingle Distillery.
As the distillery is under expansion this year, we get to visit the maturation warehouse which is a treat for the senses with delectable aromas coming from the oak and the whiskey tastings.
Overnight in Dingle, a haven of great restaurants, pubs and live music.
Tig Bhric & West Kerry Brewery
Producers of: Cúl Dorcha (dark, fruity ale), Béal Ban (pale English style bitter), Carraig Dubh (chocolate porter)
Dingle Distillery
Producers of: Dingle whiskey, Dingle Gin, Dingle Vodka
Day 5
Dingle to Ballyvaughan
First up this morning, a visit a real Irish working sheep farm. This small family run farm informs you of how difficult sheep farming is on the steep mountain slopes of the West of Ireland.
From here we will take the ferry, a short hop across to Co Clare. Watch out for dolphins in the Shannon estuary.
A visit to the Cliffs of Moher is a must-see. Standing 214m (702 feet) high, the cliffs stretch for miles along the Atlantic coast. O Brien’s Tower has served as a viewing point for hundreds of years. The ‘best sea cliff view in the World’ – so says Condé Nast Magazine and we agree!
Lunch in the Roadside Tavern where Burren beers are brewed, taste them with Burren salmon produced next door.
Visit local man Noel O Lochlainn at The Burren distillery, he had a dream to restore whiskey in the “sean gael” tradition to the Burren after a century of absence. He is a great historian and storyteller. The distillery is located in the Burren region formed 350 million years ago, a truly unique landscape.
We will overnight in Ballyvaughan where you can be guaranteed of great seafood, craft beers and live traditional music.
Burren Distillery
Producers of: Burren whiskey
Day 6
Ballyvaughan to Dublin
On our last day, we travel deep into “An Boireann” – the Burren region to visit Poulnabrone Dolmen, meaning ‘hole of sorrows’. This is an ancient burial place for the Neolithic people. A ‘dolmen’ is the name for multiple stone megaliths supporting a flat horizontal stone or ‘table’.
Our final brewery stop is at Dead Centre brewery right in the middle of Ireland. Liam is the owner and will give us an informative tour of the original brewhouse with tastings of the beers.
Travel back to Dublin for drop off in the city centre approx. 5:30-6pm.
Dead Centre Brewery
Producers of: Seeking sunshine pale ale, Marooned IPA, Disco Aint Dead
Want More?
Also Included In The Tour:
Pick-up & drop off in Dublin City Centre
Transport in Mercedes mini-bus
Tours and tastings at 5 of Ireland’s best craft breweries
Tours and tastings at 5 of Ireland’s best craft distilleries
Entrance to the Rock of Cashel and Cliffs of Moher
5 nights hotel/B&B accommodation with a full and hearty Irish cooked breakfast each morning
Minimum number for this tour is 10, maximum number is 16
What To Bring
Be Ready For Adventure!
A Rain Jacket
Walking Shoes
A Thirst For Good Beer
Hunger for Great Food
A Sense Of Adventure!
Make sure to bring a sense of adventure as we will leave no stone unturned. Sometimes we have to make unscheduled stops for leprechauns to cross the road, to take photos of rainbows, to catch a local festival, to see an ancient archaeological site that just happens to be on our route.
What Are You Waiting For?
Lets Go!
A pint in one hand and a whiskey in the other – lets go explore the best of the South of Irelands breweries, distilleries, food and scenery.