Northern Ireland!
Most people who travel to Ireland never venture to the north of Ireland, and yet its dynamic political history, the rugged beauty of the Causeway Coast (Game of Thrones, anyone?), and the creativity of the growing culinary scene make it one of the most exciting parts of the country.
In the time since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, Northern Ireland has seen decades of peace and prosperity that has given rise to innovation and ingenuity on the part of chefs and food producers. Belfast now has three Michelin-starred restaurants, adding a distinctive culinary reputation to an area long known for its poets and writers.
Together with our co-hosts Kate McCabe and Max Sussman from Bog & Thunder, we’ll take the road less traveled and head to Northern Ireland, where we’ll visit with world-class cheesemakers, regenerative farmers, and craft distillers. We’ll learn about fishing culture by heading out onto the open ocean and catching and cooking our own breakfast right there on the boat - and we’ll learn about the north’s recent political history with guided tours led by people who lived through the conflict’s most intense years. We’ll share the story of why the North of Ireland is one of the most delicious and unique food destinations out there.
NOrthern Ireland 2025
Dates - May 15 - 23, 2025
Travelers : 12 people
Price - $9800 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
Activity Level: This trip is designed for active, experienced travelers with a passion for great food made the traditional way. The activity level on this tour is medium/high. You can expect some long strolls of up to 3 hours, standing for periods up to an hour, kayaking, hiking and foraging in the woods and on the coast, and walking on uneven ground in the countryside.
Accomodations: 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. .
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 two Bog & Thunder guides will be at your disposal at all times.
Private transportation.
Hotel accommodations for 10 nights.
What’s Not Included?
Airfare.
Alcoholic beverages that are not specifically included in the itinerary.
A couple of lunches and dinners are stated in the itinerary where you will get to explore on your own (suggestions provided!).
Personal spending money.
Tips for guides.
Sample Itinerary*
Day 1 Belfast
We’ll begin our tour with a welcome and introductions in the evening at our hotel in Belfast. We’ll share a toast to our time together then we’ll head to a celebratory welcome dinner at one of the city’s best restaurants.
Day 2 Belfast
We’ll be covering a lot of ground today as we explore the largest city in the north. First, we’ll head over to West Belfast for a tour of their famous murals. We’ll have the opportunity to relax over tea and coffee at an Irish language community center before heading to St. George’s Market to eat lunch and check out the local produce, seafood, and crafts on sale. In the afternoon, we’ll enjoy a local cheese and beer tasting led by a cheesemonger who is spearheading a new tradition of artisanal cheesemaking in Northern Ireland. Tonight, we’ll enjoy some classic Irish food at a family-run restaurant in town.
We’ll say goodbye to Belfast this morning and head up the Causeway Coast, a landscape made more famous recently as the backdrop for Game of Thrones. For our first activity of the day, we’ll go on a coastal foraging walk led by our favorite Irish forager/chef and the owner of an incredible local bakery, taking in the stunning scenery as we sample tasty treats. Next, we’ll have the opportunity to visit the Giant’s Causeway, a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site, whose creation story features in a famous Celtic myth. After settling into our hotel in Bushmills, we will visit a nearby family-run regenerative farm. After a tour where we learn about their sustainable practices, we’ll settle in for a super local farmers feast.
Day 3
The Causeway Coast
We’re up bright and early this morning for a trip out to sea, where we will enjoy the view of the coast from the water as we catch our breakfast and dine on a boat! Later, after a bit of rest and relaxation, we’ll compare the view from the land over lunch on the pier. Of course, a trip to Bushmills wouldn’t be worth it if we didn’t make time for a whiskey tasting at the village’s famous distillery! Dinner this evening will be a bespoke pop-up experience prepared by an incredible local chef.
Day4 Bushmills
After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll head to the walled city of Derry, where we will have the opportunity to learn about the fascinating history of the city on a short walking tour which concludes at the Museum of Free Derry. We’ll have some time to enjoy lunch and peruse the museum before departing for our next activity on nearby Inch Island. This afternoon we’ll have an exclusive tour of a native wild oyster restoration project and enjoy a shoreline tasting. Later in the evening, we’ll enjoy a relaxed farm to table dinner at our hotel on the Fanad peninsula.
Day 5
Derry & Donegal
We’ll be out on the water again this morning! This time, we’re going kayaking on the River Foyle on a Wild Salmon themed tour with outdoor adventure company Far & Wild. The Foyle is intimately linked to the story of the Salmon of Knowledge, which is an Irish myth about gaining insight and knowledge from nature. Our guides will tell us about the time when Ireland was a riverine culture: when transportation, communication, civilisation and conquest all took place via water-based craft along the coastline and inland waterways of the entire island.
We’ll spend about three hours on the river, before culminating our journey with a picnic lunch on the riverbank.
In the afternoon, we’ll have the option of staying in Derry to shop and sightsee or returning to the hotel to relax. Dinner this evening is in Derry at a cozy, family-run bistro.
Day 6
Derry &
Donegal
Today we’ll spend the day in northwest Donegal at Ourganic Gardens, a gorgeous outdoor educational garden focused on growing vegetables, permaculture design, and re-connecting to the land. Owner Joanne Butler is also the community garden coordinator for County Donegal, so we’ll learn about her project, spend some time in nature, and hear about Donegal’s food response network. Later, we’ll enjoy a long table, vegetable-forward lunch together.
After an afternoon break, we’re off to the Olde Glen Bar in Carrigart for dinner. The Olde Glen is one of Donegal’s oldest restaurants (dating back to the 1700s); chef Ciaran Sweeney, formerly of Dublin’s Forest & Marcy, has recently breathed new life into the menu here, making it a destination restaurant in the northwest.
Day 7
Derry &
Donegal
In the we head for Belfast, where we’ll check into The Merchant Hotel for the final night of the trip. How time flies!
On the way we will head to the Mourne Mountains, where we’ll have lunch and a whiskey experience at Killowen Distillery. Built in a renovated cow shed, Killowen is the smallest distillery on the island–and one of the most exciting. With just five employees, Killowen creates small batch spirits that are some of the most sought after in Ireland, and is leading the charge of the poitín resurgence. After a special lunch prepared by local chef Paul Cunningham, we’ll have a private tasting experience with owner Brendan Carty, who will teach us about the distillation process and we’ll sample some of their spirits.
It’s hard to believe that it’s already our last day together! Later, we’ll walk to dinner at Fish City, where we will toast new friendships and close our time together over a certified sustainable seafood tasting menu.
Day 8
DONEGAL to BELFAST
Some of us will be leaving today, and others may be staying on to explore more of Northern Ireland and other parts afar.
Safe travels home!
Day 7
Belfast
**Please note: this itinerary is based on our previous tours to Northern 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.
