Not only is Ireland having a foodie renaissance (goodbye to boiled-to-death potatoes and beef, enter freshly shucked oysters, local goat cheese, and craft breweries), the Wild Atlantic Way is drawing people to the west coast, luxury train journeys are offering a new way to see the countryside, and Dublin is hopping with culture. Its mild winters make Ireland a great year-round destination.
Wild Atlantic Way
The stretch of coastline down Ireland’s west side makes for an authentic, off-the-beaten-path Irish experience. Travelers can take chunks of it (the whole coast would take weeks) and see castle ruins, take a boat to Caher Island with its ancient monastery, look down at the sea from the Cliffs of Moher, and of course, sample one of Ireland’s greatest exports: pubs. To check off “sleeping in a real castle” from a bucket list en route, guests can visit Ireland’s two legendary castles: Dromoland Castle and Ashford Castle.
Cork
Also along the Wild Atlantic Way is Cork, known as the food capital of Ireland with the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the country (three). With The River Lee Hotel as a home base, guests can take guided food tours to the English Market, one of Europe’s oldest covered markets, visit the butter museum (an entire museum devoted to Irish butter), or check out the craft beer at Elbow Lane Brew & Smoke House, whose “nanobrewery,” Franciscan Well, is located on the site of a monastery dating back to 1219.
Dublin happenings
Much more than Guinness and Jameson, Dublin is shaping up to be a modern global capital with a thriving tech industry. The home of the European headquarters of Google, Facebook and Airbnb, the city has been dubbed the Silicon Valley of Europe. Foodies and culture buffs will find plenty to do, too. A 10-minute walk from The Westbury is the new MoLI (Museum of Irish Literature, opened fall 2019) which shines a light on Ireland’s great writers like Joyce, Wilde and Beckett. The culinary scene in Dublin is also booming, as an influx of chefs from around Europe have embraced Ireland’s ingredients and recipes with fresh eyes. law, Chapter One, The Greenhouse, and Craft are all must-visit restaurants for their inventive take on Irish traditions.
Food tour from a castle
Guests at Dromoland Castle can embark on a choose-your-own-adventure foodie tour. Accompanied by the castle chef, visitors can dip into the sea to pluck out a fresh oyster, visit a goat farm to sample some freshly made cheese, or stop at a microbrewery to compare craft beers. The finishing touch can be high or low – a fine dining meal at the Earl of Thomond restaurant within the castle, or gastropub fare at Shannigan’s on the castle grounds.
Train journeys
Belmond Grand Hibernian, Ireland’s first and only luxury sleeper train, crisscrosses the country on two-, four- and six-night journeys. Expect artisan cheeses, seafood and local whiskeys in the two dining cabins, plus an observation car that will serve as a social gathering place with Irish spirits and local music. In September 2020, 40 lucky passengers will embark on a two-night itinerary hosted by Irish Chef Clodagh McKenna to learn about the traditions of Irish cuisine through hands-on activities such as foraging in Cork and tasting gin that is crafted using whey alcohol from Irish cow’s milk.