If you’ve ever dreamed of learning to cook in an Irish country house, tasting wild-caught fish smoked by a living legend, or wandering dramatic coastlines dotted with colorful villages, this is your moment. The Chopping Block is thrilled to announce a brand-new destination in our lineup of culinary tours with Onward Travel: Ireland, happening May 30–June 7, 2026.
Ireland's Ring of Kerry
This marks our first brand-new destination since we launched our signature Italy tours—and with Cook Like a Tuscan returning in October 2026 and Iceland joining the roster in November 2026, the year ahead is shaping up to be an extraordinary one for culinary travelers.
But here’s the truth: the best part of this announcement may be its timing.
As the gift-giving season approaches, more people are rethinking the idea of buying “more stuff.” Experiences are becoming the gifts people truly value. If you're looking for a meaningful way to celebrate someone special (including yourself), this once-in-a-lifetime Irish journey is the kind of gift that becomes a story for years to come.
Below is a closer look at what makes this tour so special.
Why Ireland? A Country Built for Culinary Exploration
Ireland’s food culture is rich, elemental, and deeply tied to its landscape. The country’s fertile, mild maritime climate makes it a gardener’s dream, and long-standing farm-to-table traditions shape everything from farmhouse cheeses to artisan breads to small-batch distillers.
With local guides plus myself, you’ll explore Ireland through its artisans, producers, chefs, and coastal landscapes - traveling from County Clare to County Kerry to East Cork. Warm Irish hospitality, gorgeous hotels, and breathtaking scenery create the backdrop for an immersive culinary experience.
A Flavor-Forward Journey: Tour Highlights
Ballymaloe Cookery School: A Culinary Pilgrimage
For many home cooks, Ballymaloe is the holy grail. Nestled on a 100-acre organic farm, the world-famous Ballymaloe Cookery School is led by Darina Allen - one of Ireland’s most influential chefs, cookbook authors, and slow-food advocates. On this tour, you'll enjoy a private hands-on cooking class, a tour of the farm and gardens, and a supper prepared from your class’s creations.
It’s the kind of experience cooks dream of: hyper-local ingredients, expert instruction, and the spirit of Irish hospitality woven through every moment. For TCB students and serious home cooks, this is as close as it gets to cooking school heaven.
A Day with Sally Barnes: The Last Wild-Fish Smoker in Ireland
Another extraordinary highlight is your day with Sally Barnes of Woodcock Smokery - a legend in Irish food culture. For more than 45 years, Sally has smoked only wild fish using traditional, hands-on methods: salt, smoke, and time. Her craft is so exceptional that she’s now the subject of a documentary short, The Keep.
During the visit, you’ll forage along the West Cork coastline before gathering around her long table to enjoy smoked fish, cheeses, salads, bread, pickles, and her stories - a meal that embodies the essence of Irish artisan food culture.
Photo courtesy of Woodcock Smokery
Cliffs, Castles, Coastlines & Culture
This Irish adventure blends culinary magic with unforgettable scenery:
• The Cliffs of Moher: towering 700 feet above the Atlantic
• Killarney National Park: explored by foot, boat, and horse-drawn jaunting car
• The Ring of Kerry: with iconic vistas from Ladies View and Moll’s Gap
• Blarney Castle & Gardens: including time to kiss the famous Blarney Stone
• Kinsale: colorful, coastal, and filled with local art, boutiques, and seafood
• Midleton Farmers Market: one of Ireland's most celebrated food markets
Each stop offers a mix of natural beauty, history, and local food traditions that enrich the culinary story of Ireland.
The Cliffs of Moher
The Perfect Gift for the Cook Who Has Everything
This tour isn’t just a trip - it’s a foodie's dream. It’s the chance to meet makers, learn old-world cooking traditions, savor extraordinary meals, and step into the landscapes that inspire them.
Experiences like this enrich life far beyond the week you’re abroad. They spark creativity, deepen your love for cooking, and create lasting memories with fellow travelers who become fast friends, as we've seen year after year in Tuscany.
If you’re searching for a meaningful gift in 2026 - whether for a partner, a parent, a best friend, or yourself - a culinary tour is as thoughtful as it gets. It’s a chance to begin the new year with intention, curiosity, and the promise of something unforgettable waiting on the horizon.
This trip can accommodate just 14 travelers, and with our Cook Like a Tuscan tours routinely selling out, we expect Ireland to fill quickly.
Tour Dates: May 30–June 7, 2026
Double Occupancy: $5,975 per traveler
Single Supplement: $1,200
If Ireland is calling your name - or if you’re ready to give the ultimate experience gift - I'd love to share this experience with you.
We also have interest lists for Cook Like a Tuscan and Iceland tours in 2026. There's no commitment to join the tour by signing up for the interest list, but you'll be the first to know when those itineraries are released!
