Ireland agriculture tours

Ireland

Ireland’s beef and milk production are the two most important farming sectors in Ireland, accounting for around 66% of agricultural output in 2018. Ireland’s agri-food exports hit over €1bn per month in 2018 with an estimated annual figure or 13.6 bn a year.

Ireland Ag & Sightseeing Tour

August 6th to 19th, 2023
May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again.

Day 1: Sunday, 6th August, 2023: Depart Canada on overnight flight to Ireland

To be confirmed based on your airport gateway

Day 2: Monday 7th, August 2023 Kilkenny (D)

Meet your Coach and Driver-Guide at Dublin Airport
Transfer to Kilkenny
Visit – Kilkenny Castle
Kilkenny Castle has been an important site since Strongbow constructed the first building a wooden tower in the 12th century. William the Earl Marshall built the first stone castle on the site in 1260.

Dinner and overnight at Kilkenny River Court Hotel, Kilkenny Town Centre
Overnight: Kilkenny

Day 3: Tuesday 8th, August 2023 Kilkenny (B,L)

Breakfast at hotel
Farm Visit + BBQ Lunch – The Orchard Centre
135 Hectares, 110 hectares of which is used for dairy production Family run 2 brothers + 1 employee 175 cows Raithin Herd Pedigree Holsteins Calving split: 40% autumn / 60% spring Markets for milk: Bailey’s Irish Cream.

Tea/coffee and homemade scones, jam and cream on arrival.
• Audiovisual on Irish Agriculture
• Technical farm visit
• Bailey Irish Cream Liquor workshop
• BBQ Lunch + Dessert + tea/coffee + 1 beer per person with lunch

Transfer to Ridgeway Wagyu

Ridgeway Wagyu

Ridgeway Farm is a family operated farm nestled in the scenic hills of County Wicklow.
On Ridgeway Farm we are committed to creating a stress-free and healthy environment where the cattle are fed grass and olive feed to produce the finest Irish Wagyu Beef. All of our Wagyu Beef is fully traceable from Farm to Fork.

After enjoying Olive Fed Wagyu from the acclaimed Japanese farmer Mr. Ishii we decided to introduce olive feed to our Wagyu cattle which we purchase from the Olive Feed Corporation. Olive feed is proven to en-hance the buttery flavour and marbled tenderness of the beef for an exceptional dining experience.
We supply Olive Fed Wagyu Beef from our farm in Wicklow to restaurants, butchers, premium retailers and households across Ireland and Europe.

Dinner on your own in Kilkenny

Overnight: Kilkenny River Court Hotel, Kilkenny Town Centre

Day 4: Wednesday, 9 August 2023 Kilkenny, Cork (B, D)

Breakfast at hotel
Tour to Cork
Cork is the biggest county in Ireland and is part of both the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East. With over 1000km of coastline there’s a mesmerising amount of experiences to be had.

Visit Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark
Animal and grassland research and innovation center. https://www.moorepark.ie/

The mission of Moorepark Technology Limited is to stimulate & enhance market led Research & Development in the Irish Food Industry through the provision & marketing of high quality, cost effective pilot plant facilities & research services.

Visit + Tasting – Jameson Distillery Midleton
Tour of the old distillery where you will see the machinery and manual tools used in the past. There is also a giant waterwheel which once powered all the machinery and still turns today. Your distillery guide will explain the process of distilling whiskey and will show you the largest pot still in the world. The tour ends in the Jame-son bar where there will be a tasting and drinking of Whiskey.

Dinner and overnight at Clayton Hotel Cork City

Day 5: Thursday, 10th August 2023 Cork, Kerry (B,L,D)

Breakfast at hotel

Tour to Killarney

Killarney is a town on the shores of Lough Leane in southwest Ireland’s County Kerry. It’s a stop on the Ring of Kerry scenic drive, and the start and finishing point of the 200-km Kerry Way walking trail. The town’s 19th-century buildings include St. Mary’s Cathedral. Across the bridge from the cathedral is Killarney National Park. Victorian mansion Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional Farms sits in the park.

Gallagher Ireland – to be confirmed

Gallagher: For all your animal management needs: Electric fencing; Livestock weighing equipment. Fencing and farm management tools; Electronic identification.

Visit – Blarney Castle: The Castle was built in 1446 as a defensive fortress. The castle which stands today is in fact the keep of a much larger fortress. All visitors should kiss the famous Blarney Stone, high up on the Castle battlements. Tradition holds that those who kiss the Blarney Stone will be endowed with the gift of eloquence – “the gift of the gab” as the locals call it. After the Castle, you can visit the Blarney Woolen Mills Store

Visit Finnow Farm – Wagyu operation: BBQ Lunch + Farm Visit – Finnow Farm – Wagyu

Conor is the third generation to farm here. Dairy farmers for over 80 years, Conor turned to beef farming in 2010 and began breeding Wagyu.

Conor will host the group at his family home for a simple BBQ lunch of his Wagyu beef in burgers, salads, etc. There will be bottled beer and soft drinks. Connor keeps old machinery etc and has a large shed where pax can eat if raining. This will be a “rustic” lunch experience. https://finnowfarm.ie/

Dinner and overnight at International Hotel Killarney Town Centre

Day 6: Friday 11th August 2023 Kerry (B,L)

Breakfast at hotel

Full day tour of the Ring of Kerry via Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen, Waterville, Coomakesta Pass with its magnificent views over Derrynane, home of Daniel O’ Connell, known as “The Liberator” to Ca-herdaniel. Travel on via Sneem, Moll’s Gap, Ladies View, Killarney National Park and along the Lakes of Kil-larney.

Group lunch on the Ring of Kerry
Dinner on your own in Killarney
Overnight at International Hotel Killarney Town Centre

Day 7: Saturday 12th August 2023 Kerry, Clare, Galway (B,D)

Breakfast at hotel
Tour to Galway
Ferry crossing: Tarbert → Kilimer:
Shannon Ferry will take you and your vehicle on this memorable 20 minute journey across the estuary linking the iconic tourist destinations of the Banner County of Clare to the Kingdom of Kerry.

Visit – Cliffs of Moher: One of Ireland’s favourite visitor experiences, the Cliffs of Moher tower over the rugged west Clare coast. Walk the safe, paved pathways and view the incredible Cliffs that sit on Europe’s most westerly tip and enjoy the spectacular vistas over the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands.

Dinner and overnight at Park House Hotel, Eyre Square Galway City

Day 8: Sunday 13th August 2023, Galway, Offaly (B)

Breakfast at hotel
Visit Tullamore Show – Ireland’s Premier Show
Tullamore Show & FBD National Livestock Show is the Premier Livestock Show in Ireland and attracts breeders of quality cattle and sheep from all over the country. www.tullamoreshow.com
Dinner on your own tonight
Overnight at Park House Hotel, Eyre Square Galway City

Day 9: Monday 14th August 2023, Galway, Fermanagh (B,D)

Breakfast at hotel
Tour to Enniskillen, travelling through Connemara
Visit – Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden
The story of Kylemore – both Castle and Abbey – is a truly remarkable one. The twists of fate which its oc-cupants experienced, from moments of romance and happiness, to sadness and courage have all combined to create a fascinating history spanning over 150 years.

Farm visit and Sheepdog demonstration – Joyce Country Sheepdogs
200 Ewes 400 Hectares Working Sheepdogs Producing meat for Connemara Lamb
Dinner and overnight at Westville Hotel

Day 10: Tuesday 15th August 2023, Fermanagh, Down, Belfast (B,D)

Breakfast at hotel
This morning we depart early for Belfast
Guided Visit – Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
The Castle is best known for being the official residence of the Royal Family in Northern Ireland and is also the residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Essentially a mid- 18th century Geor-gian mansion house, it was built by Wills Hill, after whose family Hillsborough is named. He was himself a Secretary of State in George III’s government, with responsibility for north America. The first interna-tional visitor to the Castle was Benjamin Franklin in 1770.

Deer Farm Visit: Tullyelmer Group
The Tullyelmer Group unites our finest local deer farmers in the creation, production and marketing of consistently high quality, fully traceable venison all year round.

The Tullyelmer Group is a collective of farmers, butchers and processors focused on one goal – to posi-tion Tullyelmer venison among the best in the world

Dinner and overnight in Executive Rooms at Europa Hotel, Belfast City Centre

Day 11: Wednesday 16th August 2023, Belfast, Antrim (B,D)

Breakfast at hotel
Visit a Beef farm + Lunch – Anne Morrison Antrim Coast Farm
Area: 100ha of which 55ha area owned and 45ha rented under the 11 months conacre system. Live-stock: Pedigree Belgian Blue & Hereford herds A commercial suckler herd is put to Belgian Blue bulls with all calves finished and sold to meat plants supplying major supermarkets. The Mullaghduff Pedigree Hereford herd was founded over 40 years ago with pedigree bulls sold to dairy and suckler herd owners. This farmer has a cattle semen agency with over 300 clients across Northern Ireland.

Visit – Giants Causeway: Renowned for its hexagonal columns of layered basalt, the Giant’s Causeway is the only World Heritage site in Northern Ireland.

Visit – The Dark Hedges: The iconic trees have been used as a filming location in HBO’s epic series Game of Thrones®, representing the Kingsroad.

Dinner and overnight in Executive Rooms at Europa Hotel, Belfast City Centre

Day 12: Thursday 17th August 2023, Belfast, Meath, Dublin (B)

Breakfast at hotel
Visit – Titanic Experience Belfast: Explore the Titanic story in a fresh and insightful way; from her con-ception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her infamous maiden voy-age and catastrophic demise. The journey goes beyond the aftermath of the sinking, to the discovery of the wreck and continues into the present day with a live undersea exploration centre.

Transfer to Dublin
Alltech European Bioscience Centre: This centre was opened in 1999 and is home to the European headquarters and supports 32 countries and 28 different languages. The bioscience centre offers a unique advantage as it houses all support functions for the European market. The mission is to improve the health and performance of people, animals and plants through nutrition and scientific innovation.

Dinner on your own in Dublin
Overnight at Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham, O’Connell Street, Dublin

Day 13: Friday 18th August 2023, Dublin (B,D)

Breakfast at hotel

Local Step-On Tour Guide Dublin: Meet with a Local Step-On Guide for a panoramic sightseeing tour of Dublin, including O’Connell Street, Phoenix Park, Leinster House.

Visit + tasting – Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery: Pearse Lyons Distillery is truly history in the re-making. Situated in the converted St. James’ Church which dates back to the 12th century. The present church was constructed in 1859–1860 in a Gothic design with a cross shape, a tower and a spire at the southwest corner. In 1948, the top 30 feet of the church spire was removed due to structural problems. The church was then closed for worship following a decline in the number of parishioners in 1963.

Visit + Tasting – Guinness Storehouse: The Storehouse was originally built in 1904 to house the Guin-ness fermentation process. The core of the building is modelled on a giant pint glass. The tour takes you step by step through the brewing process, finishing at the Gravity Bar where you will receive a compli-mentary pint of Guinness whilst enjoying the panoramic views over Dublin city.

Visit self – guided – Christ Church Cathedral: The cathedral was begun in 1038 by King Sitric Silken-beard, the Danish Viking King of Dublin, and is officially claimed as the seat of both the Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic archbishops of Dublin.

Farewell Dinner and Show at The Merry Ploughboy – The Merry Ploughboy: Widely regarded as the best traditional music show in Dublin. A highly entertaining performance of live traditional Irish Music, Song and Irish Dancing. The very best of fresh Irish food is served from our restaurant which offers a choice menu.
Overnight at Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham, O’Connell Street, Dublin

Day 14: Saturday 19th August 2023, Dublin (B)

Breakfast at hotel
Transfer to Dublin Airport
Farewell Ireland

Ireland Ag & Sightseeing Tour

Land Only Tour Pricing

August 6th to 19th, 2023

Group Size 25-29 Passengers Twin Rate: $5,334.00 per person Land Only

Group Size 30-34 Passengers Twin Rate: $5204.00 per person Land Only

Deposit: $1000 per person due on or before July 25th, 2022

Final Payment is due on or before November 1st, 2022

For more information, please contact Lawrence Rowley

Lawrence@leadertours.ca / 1-844-370-7044 / 403-764-2044

www.leadertours.ca