Sunday  Aug 22nd  Arrive Dublin.  Your driver will meet you at the airport &  take you to the Four Seasons Hotel where you will be met by the tour manager who will be on call to answer any questions and help with arrangements.  A gentle day is suggested, strolling in the park, wandering around the city, or enjoying some of  the spa treatments at the hotel.  Dinner at leisure

Monday Aug 23rd  The group will meet at breakfast and the day starts with an introduction to Irish Food given by Irish food writer & journalist Marilyn Bright.   Marilyn will then lead you on a tour of the Dublin Markets,  and you'll some of the specialty suppliers.  At Sheridan's Cheesemongers you'll be introduced to some of the artisan cheeses from small organic farms.   At lunch time you'll go to the Royal wine merchants, Berry Brothers & Rudd,  who have traded for 250 years.  You'll be eating in the private director's dining room and sampling some of the treasures of their cellars.  After lunch you'll visit some of the highlights of  Dublin  - St Patrick's Cathedral,  Trinity College  & The National Gallery.  You'll return to the Four Seasons in time to relax before meeting for cocktails & dinner in the restaurant.

Tuesday August 23rd After breakfast the chef will bring you into his kitchen where he will demonstrate some of his favourite dishes, and then lunch with him on the dishes prepared earlier. Leave after lunch for County Wicklow - Powerscourt Gardens & the 7th Century Monastic site of Glendalough.  You'll visit an organic vegetables & herbs grower and visit a mixed organic & dairy farm in the foothills of the Wicklow mountains  Dinner this evening in a private Georgian house is cooked by one of Ireland's top chefs.

Wednesday Aug 24th  Either Depart for the airport of join the rest of the group on the extended tour.  Visit the Rock of Cashel & lunch at leisure in Cashel town. Through the Golden Vale region of Ireland, famous for its butter, cheeses & dairy products, where you'll lunch in an 18th Century farmhouse where some of Ireland's best cheese is made.. Visit to 16th Century Cahir Castle & onto the picturesque seaside town of Kinsale - Gourmet Capital of Ireland. Dine in one of the town's top restaurants. Overnight at Kinsale House Hotel.

Thursday Aug 25th   A visit to the Ballymaloe Cookery School with a tour of the water garden, orchard, meadow garden, & herb garden. Lunch at Ballycotton & a visit to Stephen Pearce pottery nearby. Later a tour of the Irish Whiskey distillery at Midleton. Return to Kinsale via the English Market, a Victorian covered market, in Cork City  Take a stroll around the town & dine at leisure in one of the many excellent restaurants. Overnight Kinsale.

Friday Aug 26th   A tour of West Cork, famous for its many farmhouse cheese makers. The towns of Ballydehob, Schull & Skibbereen are synonymous with cheeses such as Milleens, Durrus, Dunbeacon & Gubbeen. & even goats ice cream! A visit to one of the local smoke houses, where salmon, venison & even eels are smoked,  to find out some of the secrets of trade followed by lunch and a wine tasting in Mannings Emporium - Michael Manning has for years been a prophet of the slow food movement of West Cork. . On to Kenmare & stay at the Park Hotel Kenmare. Dinner tonight in the Michelin star restaurant of the Hotel.

Saturday Aug 27th  Tour part of County Kerry & take some time to shop & lunch in Kenmare which has a good selection of craft shops, pubs & restaurants. Golf, boating or horse riding can be arranged for the non-shoppers. Overnight Park Hotel Kenmare. Evening free to dine at your choice of Kenmare's fine restaurants.

Sunday Aug 29th  Transfer to Shannon airport for departure

€3670  per person
€925 Single supplement
or €1545 for Dublin only (3 nights)

Included:  
* 7 nights accommodation & breakfast
* All transport within Ireland
* A gourmet lunch on 6 days
* Porterage for 2 bags per person
* Dinner on 6 nights.
* All admissions, tastings, demonstrations and talks by experts
* A professional guide / tour manager throughout the 8 days