GráBia Irish Food Tour 2027

APRIL 27 - MAY 6, 2027

Exploring the rich flavors of Counties Clare & Galway (Connemara)

Only 4 spots left!

Limited to 10 guests

Experience the food and drink of Ireland through its land and sea. Meet local artisans, passionate small farm farmers and experts. Enjoy hands-on cooking classes, all while exploring the stunning countryside and coastline of western Ireland. Stay in beautiful accommodations, while we explore, cook (and eat!), and enjoy the craic!

Tuesday 27 – Depart for Ireland

Depart USA for Ireland on our overnight flight to Dublin.

Wednesday 28 – Arrive Dublin travel to Connemara

Arrive in Dublin and, after clearing Customs and Immigration, our driver/guide will be waiting to take us west through the midlands to Dunmore in Co. Galway for a cheese and chats visit with Larry McGuire of Galway Cheese. Following lunch travel further west as we make our way out into the rugged mountain and bog landscape of Connemara to Ballynahinch Castle (Shelagh’s absolute favorite place in Connemara!) for overnight. Welcome dinner at our hotel.

Thursday 29 – Connemara Smokehouse & Seaweed foraging

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by journey to the coastline to visit the Connemara Smokehouse to taste and learn about the abundant seafood in this area and how the best of the produce is smoked. After a tasting platter we will head further along to do some seaweed foraging and learn about the health benefits of seaweed. Later enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Friday 30 – Culinary Tour of Connemara

A day exploring the local food and sustainability movement. Visit a bilingual Café (Irish and English), a vegetable farmer supplying Michelin star restaurants, visit a producer of condiments with a cult following. Dinner at our hotel this evening.

Saturday MAY 01 – Connemara to Doolin

Depart Connemara and head back toward Galway and along the shore of Galway Bay to Ballyvaughan where we will meet Ann and John of Burren Mountain Tours at their family farm. Hop on board a few 4WD vehicles and travel to the top of their private mountain of 1,000 acres of limestone paving. Enjoy breathtaking views of Aran, Connemara and Galway Bay. Weather permitting enjoy lunch on the mountain or at the farmhouse. Later travel along the coast to the lively town of Doolin for a few overnights where we have the evening free to enjoy the traditional music at the local pubs.

Sunday 02 – Inis Oir

This morning take the ferry to Inis Oir the smallest of the Aran Islands and enjoying a walk as we will explore this lovely area. In the afternoon return to Doolin with views of the Cliffs of Moher. Our last overnight in Doolin with free evening to enjoy dinner on our own (or together!).

Monday 03 – Doolin to Killaloe

This morning drive to Ennistymon and enjoy a wooden spoon making class at Hewn with an artisan woodcarver, we will take home our special spoon made with foraged wood. This will be a 6-hour event. We will then drive directly to Killaloe for overnight at our lakeside hotel.

Tuesday 04 – Killaloe to Kilmessan

This morning depart after breakfast and drive north along the lake to Wilde Irish Chocolate where we will have the ultimate hands on experience and make our own chocolate bars. Later drive north to Athlone where we will have free time and the opportunity to visit Sean’s Bar – believed to be the oldest pub in Ireland. Continue west to the village of Kilmessan and our unique (formerly a station masters home) hotel for overnight and dinner.

Wednesday 05 – Bread with Benefits

Following breakfast, travel the short distance to Bread with Benefits where we will have a hands on sourdough bread making experience using ancient grains and enjoy a light lunch. Later we will visit Swainstown Farm (where the hotel purchases its produce) and return to the hotel for a farewell dinner in the evening.

Thursday 06 – Return to USA

Private group transfer to Dublin Airport for return flight to USA.

Book and pay your deposit of $800 BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1  and receive a discount of US$200 (on final invoice)

TOUR COST:  US$6,400 per person sharing a double/twin room

Single Supplement: US$1,300 per single (single rooms are limited)  $800 non-refundable deposit and completed registration  form required (see attached)

Occasionally due to weather or other variables beyond our control, activities may need to change, and will be substituted with a comparable event. Your flexibility is appreciated.

Included in our trip:

•  8 nights accommodation (four & five star) in hotels with  breakfast each morning
• 6 evening dinners
• Galway Cheese for Cheese & Chats including lunch
• Connemara Smoke House visit with tour and tasting platter
• Seaweed foraging experience
• Bread baking class
• Boat trip to Inis Oir
• Wilde Chocolate Experience
• Burren Mountain Tour Farm Visit and tasting lunch
• Culinary tour of Connemara
• Class on carving a wooden spoon
• Visit to Swainstown Farm
•  8 Days touring with a driver/guide includes expenses,  fuel, parking, tolls, etc.
• Group transfer to Dublin Airport

Not Included:

International Airfare \\ Meals other than listed above \\ Adult alcoholic beverages \\ Items of a personal nature (laundry, drinks, phone calls, etc.) \\ Entrance fees not listed above \\ Gratuities for our driver/guide

Share this itinerary and registration form with a friend or colleague, anyone who is interested is welcome!

2027 Itinerary + registration form

faq's

How does this tour work?

Accommodation, transport, tours, fun and most importantly food are included (you won’t go hungry!).

What will I need upon registration?

We will require each guest to complete a registration form*. An $800-per-person, non-refundable deposit will be required to secure your spot on the tour.

* Please fill out the form before registering.

Do I need to live in Minnesota to join the tour?

Heck no! You can travel from anywhere in the world to Dublin.

Do I have to share a room with someone?

No, our tour offers double and single occupancy (a $1300 single supplement fee applies). So find a fun friend, companion, or partner.

How 'active' is this tour?

We will have time on our tour bus each day, but we hope to stop for short hikes (weather permitting) and other surprises along the way! There will be time each day when we return to our accommodations to go out and stretch your legs too. We are doing our best not to over-book each day!

Are all meals included?

Most meals are covered; the itinerary has the entire list. As well as whatever we cook and taste every day on our tours. Any late lunch provided will definitely carry you for the day. Trust us, you won’t be feeling hungry!

Is alcohol/wine included with meals?

No, unless part of a daily tour, alcohol is not included on this tour.

Can my teenager come along on the trip?

Sorry, at this time, only those 21 and older can join. Whiskey tours and nights out would not be advisable.

I have some serious food allerigies, can I still join the tour?

Strongly inadvisable on this food tour: gluten, shellfish, meat, dairy, and eggs. And a lot of it! 🙂

I am disabled, can I still come on the trip?

At this time, although we’d really love to have you, if you need assistance walking, it’s not advisable for you to join us. Although we will be cooking and touring quite a bit, this trip is fairly active, with walks and hikes scheduled every day.

Will this trip be inclusive of the LGBTQ & BIPOC communities?

You betcha, all are welcome! Everyone! 🌈

Will Shelagh be on the tour?

Shelagh will be with you the entire time. Her role is to provide the most fun, informative, and enjoyable time of your life (I’m feeling very confident today! :). We want you to come back for our next tour!

Are we going to be making alot of boiled Irish meals?

Oh my goodness, no way! The point of this trip is to introduce you to the marvels of modern Irish cuisine. Land and sea, that’s what it’s all about. Oh, and a little whiskey, wine, and a Guinness or three. 🙂

I don't really like to have fun, can I still go?

No.

🙂

Do I need travel insurance?

Highly suggested. But please note: the deposit is non-refundable. AIG Travel Guard is recommended.

What about tipping?

When we come to the end of our journey with a particular driver, we encourage a tip of €10-15+ per person per day. Our drivers will be with us for multiple days and are always very informative and enjoyable lads.

Tipping at sit-down/table-service restaurants is encouraged only if you are satisfied with the service; typically, 10%. Tipping in pubs is typically not required, especially if the publican is the owner.

Follow this guide throughout your trip, and you’ll be grand.

GráBia 2027 takes off in

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woo-hoo!

Testimonials from past GraBia guests

You may start out as strangers, but you will leave as friends.

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Meet Shelagh

A passionate cook with a deep love for her ancestral roots, Shelagh honed her skills at The Dublin Cookery School in 2020. Though the pandemic brought her back to the U.S. earlier than expected, her determination to return to Ireland never wavered. That dream came true in 2022 when GráBia was born.

Join her for an adventure filled with flavors, friendship, and the magic of Irish hospitality!

Shelagh Geraghty Mullen of SheCooksDesign & GráBia and Maria Flynn Conway of Celtic Journeys work together on this tour of Ireland’s culinary heartland, discovering its rich flavors and vibrant traditions.

MISSION of GráBia:

To provide a lasting impression of the beauty of Irish food and cuisine, while maintaining culture and tradition. Meeting the farmers, cheesemakers, fisherpeople, and chefs, who bring the food to your plate in a modern way, without sacrificing the historical past. We want to change your mind, and your perception of Irish food, and let you experience the incredible resources this small incredible island provides.