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!

NEXT TOUR: Ireland, March 31 – April 13, 2027 (Brochure — including pricing and registration form — will be available soon…join the email list if you want to be among the first to receive it)

This is a tweaked itinerary heading north from Dublin, and it might just be our best yet. It starts with four nights in Northern Ireland, with the rest of the time spent in the Republic, and it features a great mix of history, natural beauty, arts and crafts, traditional music, castles and “big houses,” early christianity, and, of course, whiskey, beer and great food.

Specifically, the tour will spend two nights at the beautifully refurbished Harborview Hotel on the water in Carnlough, County Antrim (in middle of the famous Glens of Antrim, possibly the most beautiful area on the entire island); two nights at the elegantly comfy Bishop’s Gate Hotel in the historic city of Derry; two nights at the centrally located Glass House Hotel in the fantastic, but little visited, town of Sligo (home to one of our favorite pubs in Ireland AND loads of traditional music); Three nights at the lovely Old Ground Hotel in the center of Ennis, County Clare (another trad music mecca); and the final three nights at very centrally located Grafton Hotel in Dublin.

Highlights include:

The spectacular scenery of the Giants Causeway and Glens of Antrim in Northern Ireland, the Slieve League cliffs in County Donegal, and the stunning vistas of Connemara. Plus we’ll spend some time in the Burren’s seemingly barren limestone karst landscape, and the remote, but surprising, Loop Head peninsula in County Clare
A taste of the history of Northern Ireland, including the still resonating sectarian battles known as “The Troubles”
A traditional music & dance primer at the Willie Colman Centre in County Sligo, followed by a tour of the glorious 12th century Boyle Abbey (and lunch at the adorably picturesque Lovage at the Gate Lodge)
A look at life in a “big house” in the wilds of County Mayo
A spellbinding overview of Ireland’s fight for freedom as told by guides at Dublin’s Kilmainham Gaol and Glasnevin Cemetery
Personal whiskey tasting at the West Clare home and family farm which now hosts Ireland’s first modern whiskey bonding operation
The brand new Shackleton Experience in Athy, County Kildare, which will introduce you to Ernest Shackleton, the Antarctic explorer you probably didn’t know was Irish…and to Tom Crean, the Kerryman who was arguably the most interesting and pivotal — and definitely the most courageous — participant in Shackleton’s expeditions
The usual fabulous food and sundowner pints at picturesque pubs and chef-driven local restaurants
A visit to the re-created famine ship, The Jeannie Johnston, and the “mystery” of why she never lost a passenger.
Artists and artisans in working in remote Loop Head and at the famous Belleek Pottery in Northern Ireland, as well as plenty of other shopping opportunities
Music and craic (of course), including at least one village pub seisuin

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

OCTOBER 2027 TOUR: The Scottish Highlands (Stay tuned for dates & details)

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 inside and outside of 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