Special Events

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 Covid restrictions kept us home for two years.

We’re back now and currently offer trips in April and October following a variety of itineraries. We’re always tweaking and adding new things to the itineraries, but, in general, our tours head either north or south from Dublin, or into the Scottish Highlands and Aberdeenshire from Edinburgh. We’ve also developed a new itinerary for April 2026 that will visit the gorgeous, historic, and rarely visited Scottish Borders (plus Dumfries & Galloway and Northern England)

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 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 and Scotland (and now northern England!).

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!

NOW REGISTERING FOR THE SPRING 2027 TRIP (Info on Home Page)

NEXT TOUR: Scottish Highlands & Islands, Tentative dates 9/28 – 10/11, 2027

Our last trip to the Highlands of Scotland was in 2024, and we can’t wait to get back to the gorgeous scenery and wonderful people. This trip will have some new features, including a day on the islands of Mull and Iona and a visit to Kilmartin Glen on the Argyll peninsula. We’ll also be spending two nights on the Isle of Skye, giving us more time to explore this incredible place in depth. We will also visit some old favorites — such as the stunning Glencoe and the Culloden battlefield — that we think are essential to understanding Scottish history and culture. And, of course, we’ll enjoy great food and drink at fantastic local pubs and restaurants

Tentatively, the tour will spend three nights at the beautifully refurbished Knipoch House Hotel, just outside of Oban; two nights on Skye at Skeabost House Hotel located between the Trotternish and Waternish peninsulas with gorgeous views of Loch Snizort; two nights at the casually elegant Ness Walk in Inverness; Two nights at the lovely and historic Maryculter House Hotel in Aberdeenshire; and the final three nights at very centrally located Kimpton Charlotte Square in Edinburgh.

Highlights include:

The spectacular scenery (and, mostly heartbreaking, history) of Glencoe, the Isle of Skye. the Great Glen, and the Cairngorm Mountains
The pre-historic sites in Kilmartin Glen on the Argyll peninsula
The colorful town of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull and the serene, car-free Isle of Iona which hosts the 13th century re-build of St. Columba’s 6th century Abbey (where the Book of Kells was produced?) and the tiny graveyard said to be the final resting place of numerous Scottish kings (including MacBeth)
A tour and tasting at the tiny Tomatin Distillery in the Cairngorms
The fascinating stories and fabulous art collection at Fyvie Castle, one of our favorite intact castles
A sombre, but spellbinding, tour of Culloden battlefield
A fun sheepdog demo with a lovely young couple building their herd
An eerie Knights Templar graveyard in the garden of our Aberdeenshire hotel
The newish Discovery Point in Dundee, detailing the legendary Antarctic expedition of Captain Scott and featuring the actual ship, The Discovery, which was built in the local shipyards
The history and pageantry of the Old and New towns in Edinburgh
The usual fabulous food and sundowner pints at picturesque pubs and chef-driven local restaurants

Plus lots more…watch your email or check back with this website later this summer if you’re interested in getting more information.

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, Boxing Day, Nollaig na mBan???

We’d love to bring back these beloved traditions, but the amount of regular business since Covid does not support the amount of staff needed to put on these special events properly. This is also why we no longer use our private party space and why our St. Patrick’s Day celebration no longer includes indoor service. We don’t love it, but needs must….if the situation changes, you’ll be the first to know

ST. PATRICK’S DAY – March 17th

Tent Party 11 am – 9 pm….Cover Charge $10/person (cash only)

Under 21 MUST be accompanied by parent.

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

Tables in the heated tent will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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

NO OUTSIDE FOOD & DRINK, including Stanley cups and coffee mugs

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

2026 Musical Lineup: 11:00 – Cloigheann 2:00 – Mrs. Doyle 5:00 – McClanahan Dancers 6:00 – Rashers

Photos by John Nation