You'll stay and dine at Ballynahinch Castle.
Cookbook author Margaret M. Johnson has eaten her way across Ireland. Now, you can join this New Yorker at the table, in the kitchen, and even at the fishmonger’s and the cheesemakers when she goes on her “Flavors of Ireland” tour with Quinlan Tours of Cape May Courthouse, NJ.
Johnson, known as “The Irish Cook,” has written six books on the new Irish cuisine, rounding up recipes for mouthwatering dishes from home and personal chefs, from restaurants, hotels, and pub, all across Ireland. Her latest, not surprisingly titled, “Flavors of Ireland: Celebrating Grand Places & Glorious Food,” will debut in late February.
It’s her first tour and it all came about because she met Gerry Quinlan of Quinlan Tours in Ireland. “I said to him, ‘You should let me lead a ‘Flavors of Ireland’ tour and he said go ahead,” she said, laughing. “It’s like I was using the easy button from Staples.”
Johnson herself designed the tour that will take a group to many of the hotels where she knows a superlative meal awaits because they’ve all contributed recipes to her books. They include Ballnahinch Castle in County Clare, Lough Erne Resort in Fermanagh, The Merrion Hotel in Dublin, and Killarney Park Hotel in Kerry.
A luxury coach will take guests from one four- or five-star hotel to another, allowing a couple of days in each locale so Johnson can also show the group where the raw materials come from for the meals, including a local salmon smoker and farmers’ markets (with real farmers). There’s also an option for a round of golf at Doonbeg, Lough Erne, and Old Head of Kindsale, as well as visits to must-see spots like the Cliffs of Moher, Slieve League cliffs, the Rock of Cashel, and Blarney Castle.
“We’ll be doing touristy things like stopping at the Beleek Factory,” says Johnson. “And Catholic or not you want to see Our Lady of Knock in Mayo.”
The tour isn’t really designed just for foodies, she says. “It encompasses all the flavors of Ireland, including historical, cultural, the landscape and, of course, food.”
Ah, the food. You’ll enjoy three drinks receptions over the 13-day tour, as well as nine dinners, 11 full Irish breakfasts, as well as an opportunity to continue your education about Irish food by making something from Johnson’s “Flavors of Ireland” cookbook when you get home. Everyone on the tour gets an autographed copy. Noel McNeil, the chef at Lough Erne who has contributed recipes to Johnson’s book, will also give a cooking demonstration.
Don’t let any of the fancy surroundings scare you. “You don’t have to get dressed up every night,” says Johnson reassuringly. “We’re not going to any restaurant that requires a jacket. My husband vetoed that.”
Your only worry will be the calories.
The “Flavors of Ireland” tour costs $4,575 per person based on double accommodation and doesn’t include airfare. The trip, which leaves on May 5, can be booked through Quinlan Tours (800-2217-7887, or info@quinlantours.com). See their website for more information and to view the full itinerary.