OFF THE BEATEN TRACK TOURS, Hosted by Michael & Siobhan Reidy

In 2017, we started taking groups “off-the-beaten-track” in Ireland, and had A LOT of fun in the process.  We added a Scotland tour in 2020, but Covid had other plans.  Our sold-out 2020 tours were cancelled, and for more than two years, Covid restrictions kept us from traveling.  But we finally hosted our first post-Covid tour of southern Ireland in October, 2022, and our second tour headed north from Dublin Airport in April, 2023.  This October we’ll finally get to Scotland (tour is sold out), and we’ll be back in Ireland in April, 2024 (also sold out).  We are currently making decisions about our October 2024 tour and will send out “Save the Dates” emails as soon as dates and hotels are nailed down.

If you want to kiss the Blarney Stone, look for leprechauns, and spend your nights at tourist-only pubs, we are NOT the tour for you. But, if you want to spend time with the locals, see the best sights at a relaxed pace, stay at charming small hotels, and hang out at real pubs and restaurants rather than tour bus mills, we might be what you’re looking for.  We spend at least two nights at every stop to help you get a real feel for each area, and we rarely start our days before 9:00 am…we are not rushing around the country trying to hit all the supposed ‘must-sees,” but we will definitely show you the best of Ireland.

TOURS FILL UP QUICKLY.  USE THE “CONTACT US” PAGE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO OUR EMAIL LIST TO RECEIVE INFORMATION DIRECTLY…WE’D LOVE TO HAVE YOU JOIN US!

Next Tour: October 2024

Watch this space for info on where and when we’ll be going….OR, join our email list and be among the first to receive info on future trips

Ireland, April 2 – 15, 2024 (SOLD OUT)

2 nights at the Pembroke Hotel, right in the center of Kilkenny, a gorgeous medieval town with lots of pubs, an 800 year old castle, and some great shopping; 2 nights at The Garryvoe Hotel, a comfy spot right on the beach near the lovely little fishing village of Ballycotton, Co. Cork; 2 nights at The Brook Lane Hotel, in the pretty and lively town of Kenmare, Co. Kerry; 3 nights at longtime favorite, The Old Ground Hotel, in the middle of the pubs and shops of Ennis, Co. Clare; and 3 nights at the very centrally located Grafton Hotel, in Dublin

Highlights:

• Two stops in County Wicklow:  first the unbelievable Powerscourt House & Garden and then the early Christian settlement (and stunning surroundings) of Glendalough
• Rothe House & Garden, a 16th century three-building complex built by a wealthy Kilkenny merchant and politician for his very large family
• More on Ireland’s early Christian history, as well as the Viking and Norman invaders, during lunch in the tiny riverside hamlet of St. Mullins and on a walk through Waterford’s Viking Triangle
• Up close and personal visits to some of Ireland’s best artisans
• The stories of Cobh, one of the world’s finest natural harbors and the people who passed through it, including the passengers of the Titanic and Lusitania, desperate emigrants during the famine times, photographer Father Browne, pirate Anne Bonney, and Annie Moore, the first person to be processed at Ellis Island when it opened in 1892
• Spike Island, a prison and fortress in Cobh Harbor with a fascinating history (and probably a few ghosts)
• Lunch in the Gaeltacht village of Ballyvourney and a discussion of Irish culture and tradition with Peadar O’Riada, son of Michael’s cousin, composer Sean O’Riada, and a well-known musician, writer, and broadcaster in his own right
• The remote and wildly beautiful Beara Peninsula, straddling both counties Cork and Kerry, and a guided walk in the mysterious Burren area of North Clare
• Muckross House and the stunning Killarney National Park
• The little-visited Loop Head Peninsula with some of the best natural beauty spots in Ireland (much better than the crowded Cliffs of Moher), as well as some intriguing history and fabulous local artists
• Tour and tasting at Ireland’s first modern day whiskey bonder
• The very authentic (and supposedly haunted) Leap Castle and a visit with it’s entertaining owner
• Meet the leaders of some of Ireland’s many rebellions and the heroes of its early statehood and bloody civil war with visits to Dublin’s Kilmainham Gaol and Glasnevin Cemetery, as well as trace the fortunes of a once-grand mansion turned tenement on the city’s north side
• We’ll also enjoy sundowner pints with amazing views, and have at least one fabulous pub music seisuin with the locals in a small village…and much more

Holiday Closings

Fourth of July:   CLOSED 

Memorial Day and Labor Day:   CLOSED

Thanksgiving:  CLOSED

Christmas Eve:  Last orders at 7:30; CLOSED when it falls on a Sunday or Monday

Christmas Day:  CLOSED

New Year’s Eve:  Last orders at 8:30; CLOSED when it falls on a Sunday or Monday

New Year’s Day:  CLOSED

ADDITIONAL CLOSURES MAY OCCUR.  CALL THE RESTAURANT FOR UP-TO-DATE INFO

Stout Fest 2023 – Date TBA, 3:00-8:00 pm

Fingers crossed we’ll have enough staff to bring back the popular event with live music, a limited beer-centric menu, and all 12 taps devoted to the best stouts on the market

Boxing Day – December 26th, 2023

Celebrate the Irish way!  Traditional Irish breakfast and live music served up 10 am – 2 pm….fingers crossed!

Nollaig na mBan (Women’s Christmas) – TBA for 2024

Whew…You made Christmas happen for friends and family, and now it’s time for your own celebration!  The Irish Rover revives a long-standing tradition of Nollaig na mBan — or Women’s Christmas — with a party just for you.  Live Irish music by female musicians, drink specials, and  a great excuse for a GNO!

ST. PATRICK’S DAY  – March 17th, 2023   

Tent Party 11 am – 9 pm….Cover Charge $10/person.  

Under 21 MUST be accompanied by parent.  

OUDOOR ONLY EVENT.  There will be NO SEATING IN THE RESTAURANT OR BAR.  

Tables inside and outside of the heated tent will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Tables outside the tent will have patio heaters but no cover in case of rain or snow.

Food & drink (including beer, liquor, wine, soda and water) can be ordered and paid for at the bar.  Food will be in carryout containers, and you will be texted when it is ready for pick up.  A 20% gratuity will be added to all inside orders. 

Beer, sodas, water, tee shirts, and brown soda bread can also be purchased at the outdoor beer truck.  Beer Truck sales are CASH ONLY

Reservations, call-ahead seating and online orders are NOT available on St. Patrick’s Day. 

2023 Musical Lineup: TBA

Photos by John Nation

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