St. Patrick's Day is just a few weeks away. Here are a few options outside of the overcrowded capital city to consider for those still looking to celebrate on the Emerald Isle.
Ashford Castle, an 800-year-old castle hotel in the west of Ireland, has announced a new partnership with Midleton Very Rare Whiskey to create a bespoke cask specifically for Ashford Castle, and with Waterford Crystal to design crystal whiskey tumblers and carafes bearing the Ashford logo. Guests can sip on the special reserve out of the limited-supply tumblers for an elegant take on the holiday.
The Midleton Distillery is home to the largest inventory of maturing Irish whiskey in the world. Its Master Distiller, Brian Nation, hand-selects the finest whiskeys for the Midleton Very Rare collection; this includes releases such as single pot stills, single cask bottlings, travel retail exclusives, special editions and prestige and ultra-prestige bottlings. Cask #70345 is an American virgin oak barrel that was filled with a medium style pot still (a virgin oak barrel means it hasn't held bourbon prior to arriving to Midleton, thus making the contribution from the oak a lot richer and more profound).
Waterford was first established in 1783 on land adjacent to Merchants' Quay in the heart of the Irish harbor town of Waterford, just minutes from the present-day House of Waterford Crystal.
Another out-of-Dublin option for travelers is the Cork.
With Brendan Vacations' brand-new Taste of County Cork itinerary, visitors can do St. Patrick's Day by visiting the famous Jameson Whiskey headquarters (and its largest distillery), kiss the Blarney stone, and experience Cork's four-day St. Patty's Day festival with a massive parade right down St. Patrick's Street.
Beginning in Cork City, Ireland's second largest city, travelers will visit the medieval Old Town, the university, City Hall, Shandon Bells and the English Market, and stay at the Trident Hotel in Kinsale, a four-star property with views of Kinsale Harbour.
This itinerary includes a rental car, premier accommodations, sightseeing and dining highlights, and is completely customizable for guests interested in extending or adding additional excursions or destinations.
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