IRELAND ARTISAN TOUR
SMALL GROUP CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
Begin Your Made With Love Experience Today!
Inspired by the Emmy Award-winning PBS series Made with Love, the Ireland Artisan Tour gives you exclusive access to Irish artisans, their craft, and the impact they contribute to the culture and traditions in a community. Through this immersive, emotional, and thoughtfully curated experience, we bring you into these artisans' studios, offering a rare glimpse into their creative process. From a traditional harp-making demonstration to an Irish oyster experience, see Ireland in a whole new way and watch how extraordinary things are crafted by hand and with love.
What’s Included
7 nights in the heart of Ireland
Price starting at $6,900*
Maximum 20 people
7 nights at 4-star or above boutique hotels
All cooking demos, tastings, and tours
All artisan experiences
All breakfast, lunch and 5 dinners, including some beer & wine
Expert local guide & private, deluxe motor coach
Signature Experiences
Stay at castles straight out of a fairytale
See a traditional harp-making demonstration
Experience a traditional Irish Woolen Mill
Journey into the world of Ireland’s famous oysters
IRELAND TOUR
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MADE WITH LOVE
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ITINERARY
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IRELAND TOUR 🟅 MADE WITH LOVE 🟅 ITINERARY 🟅
ITINERARY
Day 1 - Dublin
LOCATION: Arrive in Dublin & check in at The Fitzwilliam Hotel at 3 PM*
DINNER: Welcome Dinner and Apéritif At The Fitzwilliam Hotel at 7 PM
Suggested early arrival activity: Visit the Book of Kells at Trinity College or spend time shopping and walking through central Dublin.
OVERNIGHT: The Fitzwilliam Hotel
The Fitzwilliam Hotel sits on St. Stephen’s Green in the heart of Dublin City Centre, placing you close to many of the city’s shops, museums, restaurants, and historic streets. With 139 newly refurbished rooms and dining at Glovers Alley, the hotel offers a comfortable, well-located first evening in Ireland before the artisan journey begins.
Day 2 - Dublin to County Monaghan
BREAKFAST: Full Irish Breakfast at The Fitzwilliam Hotel
MORNING
Drive to County Monaghan: Approximately 1.5 hours
The drive from Dublin to County Monaghan moves from the city into Ireland’s green countryside, passing fields, stone walls, and small towns along the way. As the route continues north, you begin to leave the pace of Dublin behind and settle into the landscape that shapes this part of the itinerary.
Coffee & Tea Break | Battle of the Boyne Visitor Center
Brehon Brewhouse: Tour and beer tasting at a County Monaghan microbrewery, and lunch
OVERNIGHT: Castle Leslie Estate
Set in the village of Glaslough in County Monaghan, Castle Leslie Estate is one of Ireland’s few remaining castle estates still owned by its founding family. The Leslie family has lived on the estate since the 1660s, and the 1,000-acre property stretches across rolling countryside, ancient woodland, lakes, and parkland. The estate has also hosted notable moments in modern cultural history, including Sir Paul McCartney’s wedding, but its real appeal here is quieter: time to settle into the Irish countryside, walk the grounds, take in Glaslough Lake, and notice details such as the Walled Garden, Gothic Lodge, St. Salvator’s Church, and old estate ruins before the journey continues west.
DINNER: Castle Leslie Estate
Day 3 - County Monaghan and Glaslough
BREAKFAST: Castle Leslie Estate
Tour of Castle Leslie and Grounds
LUNCH: Castle Leslie Estate with cooking demonstration
AFTERNOON
Busy Bee Ceramics: Run by Brenda McGinn in County Monaghan, Busy Bee Ceramics offers a welcoming, hands-on studio experience. Depending on the workshop format, you may shape your own piece or paint prepared ceramics, with tools, materials, and guidance provided. The visit adds a slower creative rhythm to the morning and brings the day’s focus back to making by hand.
DINNER: Castle Leslie Estate, three-course dinner at Conor’s Bar & Lounge
OVERNIGHT: Castle Leslie Estate
Day 4 - Sligo
BREAKFAST: Castle Leslie Estate
MORNING
Drive to Sligo: Approximately two hours with scenic stops.
As you leave County Monaghan, the route carries you through the quieter countryside of Cavan and Leitrim, with farmland, lakes, country roads, and waterways shaping the morning drive. Approaching Sligo, Benbulben Mountain comes into view, marking your arrival in Yeats Country and the landscapes of Ireland’s northwest.
Coffee & Tea Stop | Enniskillen
Set in County Fermanagh along Lough Erne, Enniskillen offers a waterside pause on the journey west. The town is known for its setting along the lake, Enniskillen Castle, and walkable center, adding a bit of local history to the morning route without rushing the day.
Martina Hamilton Jewelry: Visit the Martina Hamilton jewelry studio for a behind-the-scenes look at one of Sligo’s respected Irish jewelry houses. Inspired by Ireland’s Wild Atlantic coastline, Martina Hamilton’s pieces are designed and handcrafted in Sligo, with collections that reflect coastal forms, local heritage, and contemporary Irish design.
LUNCH: WB’S Coffee House, Aisling Kelly Hunter’s award-winning café opened in 2014 in the former family pub, The Punchbowl, beside the W.B. Yeats Statue in Sligo Town. Aisling has also been part of the Sligo Food Trail since 2016, helping share the county’s food culture with visitors.
Sligo Oyster Experience: Meet Aisling Kelly Hunter and her family for a closer look at oyster farming along the Wild Atlantic Way. Based near Strandhill on Sligo Bay, the experience begins with a rugged coastal walk toward a working oyster farm, with views toward Benbulben and Knocknarea. Along the way, you learn about Sligo folklore, native oyster history, coastal foraging, and the cultivation methods still used today before an oyster shucking demonstration and tasting.
DINNER: Optional Pizza Dinner at Coney Island Pub or dinner at your leisure
OVERNIGHT: The Glasshouse Hotel
The Glasshouse Hotel
Martina Hamilton Jewelry
Sligo Oyster Experience
Day 5 - Galway and Aughnanure Castle
BREAKFAST: The Glasshouse Hotel
MORNING
Drive to Galway: Approximately 2.5 hours to Aughnanure Castle, with a tea break in Westport, County Mayo, and views of Croagh Patrick along the way.
The drive from Sligo toward Galway follows Ireland’s western landscape through changing countryside, small towns, and open views shaped by the Atlantic coast. A stop in Westport offers time for tea in County Mayo, with Croagh Patrick rising nearby as one of Ireland’s most recognizable pilgrimage mountains. As the route continues toward County Galway, the day begins to shift from coastal travel into one of the tour’s signature artisan experiences.
LUNCH: Local restaurant in Galway
AFTERNOON
Traditional Irish Harp-Making with Natalie Surina: The group arrives at Aughnanure Castle, located near Oughterard in County Galway. This 16th-century tower house is closely tied to the O’Flaherty clan and offers a fitting setting for an afternoon centered on Irish music and handicraft. Aughnanure has a special connection to Irish harps, as the castle is believed to have been a gathering place for musicians during its period of prominence. That history gives the harp-making demonstration a strong sense of place without needing to overstate the legend.
Here, traditional harp maker Natalie Surina introduces the craft of building Irish harps, from the instrument’s form and materials to the patient handwork behind each piece. She will also share a few Irish tunes, giving you a chance to hear the harp in the historic setting that gives the demonstration its meaning.
DINNER: The Hardiman Hotel
OVERNIGHT: The Hardiman Hotel
Day 6 - Kilkenny
BREAKFAST: The Hardiman Hotel
MORNING
Drive to Kilkenny via Birr and Tipperary
The drive from Galway to Kilkenny crosses Ireland’s midlands, passing rolling fields, small towns, and historic estates along the way. Highlights include a stop in Birr, known for its Georgian streetscape and castle setting, before the route continues toward Tipperary and Kilkenny.
LUNCH: On the way to Kilkenny
Beekeeping and Beeswax Candle-Making at Brookfield Farm: At Brookfield Farm in Tipperary, Ailbhe Gerrard brings together beekeeping, biodiversity, honey production, and handcrafted beeswax candle-making. During our visit, we’ll learn about the work of caring for bees, the role they play on the farm, and the traditional techniques used to make beeswax candles by hand. The experience connects the farm’s ecology to a small, practical craft tradition shaped by honey, beeswax, and careful stewardship of the land.
OVERNIGHT: Lyrath Estate
Lyrath Estate, near Kilkenny City, pairs a preserved 17th-century Manor House with contemporary accommodations and 170 acres of Kilkenny countryside. Set on the edge of Ireland’s medieval city of Kilkenny, the estate welcomes you with a sweeping tree-lined driveway and offers gardens, open grounds, dining, and quiet space to settle in after the day’s drive and farm visit.
Free time at the estate: Optional activities such as clay pigeon shooting, horse riding, and additional estate experiences may be booked in advance.
DINNER: Langton's Bar and Restaurant + musical experience
Day 7 - Kilkenny
BREAKFAST: Lyrath Estate
MORNING
Falconry Experience: Experience the ancient art of falconry in the Irish countryside, where guests can fly hawks by hand while learning about the traditions, handling practices, and close relationship between falconer and bird.
Historical Walking Tour of Kilkenny: Continue into Kilkenny for a guided walk through the medieval city, with time to learn about its streets, landmarks, and layered local history.
LUNCH: Matt The Millers
AFTERNOON
Free Time in Kilkenny: After the guided walking tour and lunch, guests will have time to explore Kilkenny at their own pace. You may choose to visit Kilkenny Castle, browse local craft shops, stop into a café, or spend more time along the city’s narrow medieval streets before returning to the estate.
Drive back to hotel
DINNER: Farewell dinner at Lyrath Estate
OVERNIGHT: Lyrath Estate
Day 8 - Kilkenny to Dublin
BREAKFAST: Lyrath Estate
MORNING
Drive to Graiguenamanagh, County Kilkenny
Cushendale Woollen Mills: Located in the riverside town of Graiguenamanagh, County Kilkenny, this family-run mill carries six generations of Cushen family textile-making, with roots reaching back to the 1700s. Today, Philip Cushen and his daughter Miriam continue the family’s woollen tradition, guiding fleece, yarns, and finished textiles through a process shaped by skill, color, texture, and continuity. Known for its commitment to sustainable and traditional textile production, the mill uses locally sourced wool to craft throws, scarves, and yarns rooted in Irish woollen-making heritage. The visit offers a close look at how an 18th-century weaving legacy continues in a working Irish mill today.
LUNCH: Waterside Guesthouse & Cafe
AFTERNOON
Drive toward Dublin: Approximately 1.5 hours with optional stops.
Sheep Dog Experience: Just outside Dublin, near the Wicklow–Kildare border, this working farm visit offers a close look at the relationship between shepherd, sheepdog, and flock. Guests will watch trained sheepdogs respond to quiet commands and careful handling, showing the discipline, trust, and rural skill behind this long-standing Irish farming tradition.
Arrive at the Fitzwilliam Hotel, Dublin, around 5:00 PM. End of Tour*
*Optional extension: Guests may choose to stay an additional night at a hotel near the airport or in Dublin city center. If you would like help booking additional nights in Dublin before or after the tour, we can facilitate arrangements for an additional fee. Please email [tours@madewithloveartisans.com] for more information.
Begin Your Made With Love Experience Today!
For additional information about the tour, please contact us directly.
September 14th, 2026 - September 21st, 2026
Sunday, August 9th, 2026-Sunday, August 16th, 2026
Monday, July 6th, 2026-Monday, July 13th, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Ireland Artisan Tour includes hands-on and behind-the-scenes experiences across ceramics, jewelry, oyster farming, harp-making, beekeeping, and woollen textiles. Each stop is built around a real maker, family, farm, or working studio, giving the itinerary a clear craft-focused thread across Ireland. You’ll visit:
Brenda McGinn at Busy Bee Ceramics in County Monaghan for a hands-on pottery session.
Martina Hamilton at her jewelry studio in Sligo, where each piece is handcrafted and inspired by the Wild Atlantic coastline.
Aisling Kelly Hunter and her family with Sligo Oyster Experience, with a closer look at oyster farming, coastal foraging, shucking, and tasting along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Natalie Surina of Ériú Harps at Aughnanure Castle in County Galway, where she introduces the craft of building Irish harps in one of Connemara’s best-preserved late-medieval tower houses.
Ailbhe Gerrard at Brookfield Farm in Tipperary for beekeeping, honey production, biodiversity, and handcrafted beeswax candle-making.
Philip and Miriam Cushen at Cushendale Woollen Mills in Graiguenamanagh, a six-generation family mill with roots reaching back to the 1700s, still producing throws, scarves, and yarns from Irish wool.
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The Ireland Artisan Tour is limited to 20 guests. This small group format helps make access to small working studios, artisan workshops, and private estate stays possible, while keeping the pace of each day personal, conversational, and unhurried rather than packaged.
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Yes. The Ireland Artisan Tour is inspired by the Emmy Award-winning PBS documentary series Made With Love, whose storytelling centers on artisans, process, and the value of handmade work. The tour is designed to give guests the same spirit of close, respectful access the series is known for: time with artisans in their studios, stories shared by the makers themselves, and a deeper look at the craft traditions they continue to carry forward.
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The Ireland Artisan Tour starts at $6,900 per person and covers 7 nights of accommodation at 4-star or above boutique hotels and estate properties, including Castle Leslie Estate in County Monaghan and Lyrath Estate near Kilkenny.
The tour price includes:
Scheduled artisan experiences, cooking demonstrations, and tastings
Breakfasts and lunches
5 dinners, with some beer and wine included where noted
An expert local guide
Private motor coach transportation throughout the tour
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No. Airfare is not included in the Ireland Artisan Tour price. Guests are responsible for booking their own flights to and from Dublin. The tour begins in Dublin and concludes in Dublin on Day 8. Guests who would like help arranging additional nights in Dublin before or after the tour may contact the Made With Love Tours team. Additional hotel arrangements can be facilitated for an additional fee. Please contact [tours@madewithloveartisans.com] for more information.
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Ireland Artisan Tour departures are organized with participating PBS station partners in select U.S. cities. Current and upcoming departures include Buffalo, September 14–21, 2026, and Milwaukee, July 6–13, 2026. Because departure cities and dates are set through station partnerships, availability may vary by year. Join the [2027 waitlist] to be notified as soon as new dates are confirmed.
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The Ireland Artisan Tour involves a moderate amount of walking and standing. Several stops, including Castle Leslie Estate, Kilkenny, and Aughnanure Castle, may include uneven paths, cobblestones, gravel, stone steps, and estate grounds. The pace is relaxed and unhurried, but guests should be comfortable moving through historic sites, working studios, and guided village or estate walks. Comfortable walking shoes with a good grip are strongly recommended.
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U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter the Republic of Ireland for tourism stays of up to 90 days. A valid U.S. passport is required, and it should be valid for the full length of your stay. Because this itinerary includes a stop in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, U.S. travelers should also check current UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirements before departure. Entry requirements can change, so guests should confirm current passport, visa, and ETA rules with official government sources before booking international travel.
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A $500 reservation deposit is required to hold your place on the Ireland Artisan Tour. The deposit is refundable within 7 days, less a 10% processing fee. After that initial 7-day period, the deposit may be applied to a future Made With Love Tours departure.
Fifty percent of the tour balance is due 120 days before departure, and the remaining balance is due 100 days before departure. Full refunds are available up to 120 days before the tour start date. For full details, call us at 1-866-868-7750 or schedule a Discovery Call. The Made With Love Tours team will walk you through the details clearly before your reservation is finalized.
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