About this tour
When Lily from our team took this private whiskey tour, we drove out from Dublin into the quiet midlands — proper countryside, rolling green, the kind of place you don't accidentally stumble into. It's a 10-hour day hitting three distilleries: the centuries-old Kilbeggan, Sean's Bar in Athlone (claims to be Ireland's oldest), and the big one, Tullamore D.E.W., where the real tasting happens. Your guide is a whiskey specialist who sticks with you the whole way, so you're getting proper context, not just a coach full of randos. You're back in Dublin by 6.30pm.
Highlights
- Kilbeggan's whiskey masterclass in an actual old cooperage building
- Sean's Bar in Athlone — two house whiskeys, genuine local spot, no tourist gloss
- Tullamore D.E.W.'s access-all-areas tour with multiple tastings
- Private transport means you're not rattling about on a coach
- Whiskey specialist host provides real commentary, not scripted patter
- Drive through genuine Irish midlands countryside between stops
- Full distillery experience, not just a gift shop with a tasting room
What to expect
You're picked up and driven out of Dublin into a quieter Ireland — Westmeath and Offaly counties, the kind of landscape that's mostly green fields and small towns. First stop is Kilbeggan Distillery, where you get a guided tour and a four-part whiskey masterclass in their old cooperage. It's hands-on and actually teaches you something about how the stuff is made, rather than just letting you sniff a glass.
Then you're into Athlone for a break. Grab lunch (not included, so sort your own) and wander the town centre. Sean's Bar is genuinely old — they've got their own whiskeys, and the place feels lived-in, not staged for visitors. The final leg is Tullamore D.E.W., the main event. It's a proper distillery tour with multiple tastings built in, and the size of the operation shows why it's one of Ireland's biggest whiskey brands. You're moving between stops in a private vehicle, so the pace is manageable and you're not crammed onto a coach.
Good to know
If you actually like whiskey or want to understand it better, this is a solid day out. Your guide knows their stuff and you're not herded around with 40 other people. The distilleries are genuine working places, not theme parks. Private transport is a genuine comfort over a coach. Suits any fitness level — mostly walking around distilleries and a town, nothing strenuous.
Lunch isn't included, so budget for that in Athlone. You'll be tasting whiskey most of the day on what might be a light stomach if you're not careful. It's a long day in a vehicle — 10 hours door-to-door, so not ideal if you get car sick easily. Minimum age 18 (obviously, given the whiskey). Peak times will be summer weekends, so book ahead. Weather in rural Ireland can be damp and cool even in summer — bring a light jacket. The tour assumes you're genuinely interested in whiskey; if you're dragged along reluctantly, it's going to feel like a long day.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.