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Ireland now has a chocolate, beer and bacon tour – ‘the three most amazing things in the world’

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Wexford's Salty, Malty and Sweet tour combines chocolate, bacon and beer… Composite image featuring Bean and Goose chocolate (inset) and Wexford (Pic: Sarah Kim Watchorn).
Bean and Goose Chocolate Pour by Rosanna Bianco
Lorraine O'Dwyer of Gallivanting Tours, Credit: Sarah Kim Watchorn
Bean and Goose, Ferns, Co. Wexford
Gallivanting Tours, Credit: Sarah Kim Watchorn
Gallivanting Tours, Credit: Sarah Kim Watchorn
  • Ireland now has a chocolate, beer and bacon tour – 'the three most amazing things in the world'

    Independent.ie

    Hold onto your belt buckles. Theres a new food tour on the scene, and it shines a light on the holy trifecta of treats – chocolate, bacon and beer.

    https://www.independent.ie/life/travel/travel-news/ireland-now-has-a-chocolate-beer-and-bacon-tour-the-three-most-amazing-things-in-the-world-37083046.html

    https://www.independent.ie/life/travel/article37083109.ece/7ebf9/AUTOCROP/h342/salty%20malty%20tour%20.jpg

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Hold onto your belt buckles. Theres a new food tour on the scene, and it shines a light on the holy trifecta of treats – chocolate, bacon and beer.

The Salty, Malty and Sweet Tour, run by Gallivanting Tours, promises to take you on an exclusive jaunt around some of Wexfords foodie highlights.

Running on select Fridays from July 6, participants will learn how the foods are made, fill your belly with samples and, in some cases, make something of your own.

The day tour costs €180pp, including lunch and all sorts of goodies.

Youll start off in the beautiful farmhouse thats home to Irish chocolate makers Bean and Goose near Ferns, spending time learning how to temper chocolate on a slab of marble, and create your own bar using ingredients either foraged or grown on site.

Think elderflower, lovage, gorse… even rose petals. Youll also sample their own products (in case your chocolatier skills are lacking) and take two of their bars home, along with your own creation.

Bean and Goose, Ferns, Co. Wexford
Bean and Goose, Ferns, Co. Wexford
Lorraine O'Dwyer of Gallivanting Tours, Credit: Sarah Kim Watchorn
Bean and Goose Chocolate Pour by Rosanna Bianco
Wexford's Salty, Malty and Sweet tour combines chocolate, bacon and beer… Composite image featuring Bean and Goose chocolate (inset) and Wexford (Pic: Sarah Kim Watchorn).
Gallivanting Tours, Credit: Sarah Kim Watchorn
Gallivanting Tours, Credit: Sarah Kim Watchorn

After a lunch stop at The Wilds, the cafe, craft and design shop in Enniscorthy, its on to the bacon.

The secret to the curing of ONeills Dry Cure Bacon is closely guarded, but youll get a glimpse into the process with Mary ONeill herself, as well as a bacon buttie and some rashers to take home.

After a quick stop in Kates Farm Shop outside Wexford town, youll finish up the day at the Drew Fox Brewery with a tour, some samples and two bottles to take home (theres chilled storage in the vehicle, FYI, so your goodie bag will survive the duration).

The element of exclusivity is key – Bean and Goose offers private workshops, but neither ONeills nor the Drew Fox Brewery offer public tours.

Lorraine O'Dwyer of Gallivanting Tours, Credit: Sarah Kim Watchorn
Lorraine O'Dwyer of Gallivanting Tours, Credit: Sarah Kim Watchorn
Gallivanting Tours, Credit: Sarah Kim Watchorn
Wexford's Salty, Malty and Sweet tour combines chocolate, bacon and beer… Composite image featuring Bean and Goose chocolate (inset) and Wexford (Pic: Sarah Kim Watchorn).
Gallivanting Tours, Credit: Sarah Kim Watchorn

So, how did this tasty tour come around?

“My love of chocolate, bacon and beer!” founder Lorraine ODwyer told Independent.ie Travel. “Theyre the three most amazing things in the world.”

Location was a part of the decision too.

“Wexford is a big county, and there are a lot of food producers here. These three are all close together, so its geographic, but also they pair perfectly together.”

ODwyer is also one of the founders of Taste Wexford, an operation promoting the various producers in the county.

“Weve always had an amazing amount of artisan food producers and local farmers, but weve never shouted about it," she says. "What were trying to do now is to shout about it, and to tell people about Wexford and its food.”

NB: Tours run to September (gallivanting.ie and tastewexford.ie).

Four more foodie tours to try…

1. Galway goodies

Its not just the city you can see with Galway Food Tours – Sheena Dignam also runs tours of Connemara and the Aran Islands, as well as a food and cycling tour. 2.5 hour city tours from €50pp plus booking fee. See galwayfoodtours.com.

2. A Sligo smorgasbord

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Benbulben, Sligo

Take yourself off on a self-guided tour with the Sligo Food Trail guide, or book a seaweed harvesting walk or pizza making workshop. Prices vary, with a 'Coney Island Experience with Dr. Prannie Rhatigan from €30pp. See sligofoodtrail.ie.

3. Delectable Dublin

The Westbury Hotel Exec Bedroom.jpg

The five-star Westbury Hotel has teamed up with Fabulous Food Trails, combining a three-hour foodie tour of Dublin with a stay for two in a luxurious suite and a full Irish breakfast the following morning. The overnight experience costs €590. See doylecollection.com/westburyhotel.

4. A bite of Belfast

Sawers Belfast (16).jpg
Sawers, Belfast

Try some of the best produce in Belfast on a walking tour with Taste and Tour – they also do a Gin Jaunt… Prices start from £55/€62pp. See tasteandtour.co.uk.

Read more:

The Irish Foodie Bucket List: 30 dishes worth travelling for

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