Taste the Wild Atlantic Way
from farm and sea to table
Come with us to experience the magic of the Emerald Isle — not from a bus window, but through the fields, shores, and kitchens where Ireland’s food story truly lives. For thousands of years, Irish farmers, fishers, and artisans have shaped a food culture rooted in land, sea, and tradition. And while many still think of Irish cuisine as little more than Guinness and potatoes, we know a delicious secret: Ireland’s modern food scene has been quietly — and relentlessly — transforming for the past 50 years.
We’ll travel along the Wild Atlantic Way from Galway to Cork hearing, seeing, and tasting the story of Irish cuisine. From the traditional artisans to the new generation of makers, chefs, and foragers who are taking these traditions and renewing them for the 21st century.
This is a hands-on culinary adventure. We’ll visit working farms to meet the families who raise heritage breeds and grow exceptional produce, step into dairies, smokehouses and kitchens where craft traditions are still alive. Head out onto the water to harvest oysters and seaweed straight from the Atlantic before tasting them at their freshest. We’ll share unforgettable meals prepared by the chefs redefining Irish cuisine today.
With nearly 2,000 miles of coastline, Ireland offers some of the most extraordinary seafood anywhere on earth — still an underdog, still a secret, and still waiting to be discovered. Come explore the rugged shores, the rolling green farms, and the vibrant kitchens of Ireland. Come taste the adventure.
Ireland 2027
Location: Galway, West Cork & Cork
Dates - May 18-26, 2027
(Tour starts in Galway and ends in Cork)
11 Spots Available
Price - $10,000 Per Person
Who?
This trip is designed for both novice and experienced travelers with a passion for great food and drink. We encourage those who are curious to learn about the rich culinary culture and history of Ireland--which goes well beyond the Guinness and potatoes image you might have! We will be eating lots of incredible local dairy, seafood, lamb, and produce. We encourage open minds, adventurous spirits, and a deep passion for traditional foods and their modern-day evolutions.
Our guests are adults of all ages who enjoy long walks and exploring. We keep the group small. A maximum of 12 guests will travel with one Zingerman’s host alongside our collaborative partners, Max and Kate from Bog & Thunder. We’ll also be joined by local experts at different stops in our journey.
Activity level & accommodations
The activity level is medium. With lots of walking in both city and country. You should be able to stand for long periods while on culinary tours of neighborhoods. We will be spending a fair amount of time in the Irish countryside, spending time on farms and on nature walks, so expect some uneven ground. In Ireland, you can experience “four seasons in a day” so don’t forget to pack a raincoat!
We’ve carefully curated a selection of four- and five-star hotels around the island in an effort to balance our active days with comfort and relaxation. All of our hotels include bars or restaurants and a few also offer spa facilities. We’ll also be staying at the highly lauded Ballymaloe House Hotel, home of chef Darina Allen, a friend of the Zingerman’s family for many years.
Food Curiosity Level: Low/Medium - We encourage open minds and getting a little outside of your comfort zone.
What’s Included?
Amazing food – all breakfasts, and most lunches & dinners. We will enjoy traditional regional specialties made with local, fresh ingredients.
Behind-the-scenes visits with artisanal producers, local farmers, and chefs; and hands-on baking, cooking, and foraging experiences.
Visits to some of Ireland’s most traditional and exciting food establishments–old and new.
One Zingerman’s tour host & our Bog & Thunder guides will be at your disposal at all times.
Private transportation.
Hotel accommodations for 8 nights.
What’s Not Included?
Airfare.
Airport transfers.
Alcoholic beverages that are not specifically included in the itinerary.
A couple of lunches and dinners stated in the itinerary where you will get to explore on your own (suggestions provided!).
Personal spending money.
Tips for local guides.
Sample Itinerary*
Day 1
May 19
Our tour will start in Galway where we will meet to kick off our time together with an aperitivo, Irish-style, over drinks and snacks. then we’ll head to a private welcome dinner featuring the best local food while our hosts for the evening share stories from the burgeoning Irish food and drink scene.
Day 2
This morning we’ll explore our surroundings on foot with a local expert. After a light lunch we’ll head out to the wilds of the Atlantic way. We’ll meet with a family of oyster farmers and wade in to harvest oysters in the Atlantic. Dinner this evening will be at a Galway gem in a historic setting.
Get ready for more fresh air! We’re heading to The Burren, one of Ireland’s wildest spots, known for its rocky landscape. We will pop in for a visit and tour of a perfumery where certified organic scents are handcrafted using local botanicals.
We’ll go for a wander through the beautiful countryside with a local guide to hear the history and traditions while witnessing the spring flora of this area. After our walk we’ll settle in for a lunch before heading back to the city. Dinner on this evening is on your own, and we’re happy to make suggestions for you.
Day 3
We’ll say slán to Galway and head south to the foodie haven that is West Cork. Along the way we’ll stop at a small family farm that produces raw organic milk, ice cream, yoghurt, kefir, grass fed beef as well as hen and duck eggs. It’s here that we’ll stretch our legs and enjoy some lunch before continuing our journey south.
Once we arrive we’ll check into our new hotel and set out for dinner this evening will be at a small, rustic restaurant featuring the very best of local, seasonal, and foraged ingredients from the waters and wilds of West Cork..
Day 4
After breakfast, we will explore the local farmer’s market chock full of local artisans and farmers. After we’ve spent the morning like a local, we’ll hop in the bus for a quick jaunt to a seaside discovery experience, where we’ll hop in kayaks and paddle around a bay whilst learning about the area’s history and harvesting local seaweed from the water. Back on dry land we’ll enjoy an abundant seaweed forward lunch with a bay view. Back at the hotel we will take a moment to rest and get ready for a very special Michelin Star dinner.
Day 5
This morning we’ll have the opportunity to “lay in” and daydream about our previous night’s dinner or enjoy the local town.
In the early afternoon we’ll convene and join a local fish smoker & activist - and long-time Zingerman’s fan - who’s been in business for more than thirty years. We’ll spend the afternoon in the care of our hostess and a new friend or two from the local culinary scene.
Day 6
As hard as it is to leave the rugged, wild coastal beauty of West Cork behind, we can’t stay forever! We’ll depart our hotel after breakfast en route to the city of Cork, stopping along the way for a tour of a family-run dairy that specializes in unpasteurized buffalo, sheep, and cow’s milk cheeses made in Southern Mediterranean style. We’ll learn about how they came to raise buffalo in Ireland, and enjoy a light lunch at the farm. After lunch, we’ll head directly to the Ballymaloe Cookery School, where we’ll enjoy a garden tour and cooking demonstration before we put on our aprons and make our dinner together.
DAY 7
Our last full day of the trip! After breakfast at we will board our bus and head for Cork. There we will explore some highlights of the culinary scene and grab lunch. In the afternoon we will learn the history and current state of Irish whiskey through a tasting. When we return to Ballymaloe we will gather together one last time and enjoy a celebratory dinner at chef Darina Allen’s much loved restaurant.
Day 8
After our final breakfast together, you’ll be free to continue on your adventure, fly out of Cork to your next destination or hop on our private coach for a transfer to Dublin.
Day 9
May 27
*Please note: this itinerary is based on our previous tours to Ireland. We will make every effort to provide the tours and experiences that are described above. The nature of the places we’ll be visiting — not typical tourist destinations — means that plans may change at the last minute. Also, you always have the option of skipping a particular excursion, but please note that we will be unable to make refunds for any missed meals or other events.
