Tour 1 - Teagasc Carlow, The National Stud & Japanese Gardens & Kilkenny City
Teagasc – is the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority – and is the national body providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry and rural communities.
Oak Park Crop Research Centre
Oak Park is the home of the national centre for arable crops research. Situated on 225 hectare research farm, the main objective of the work programme at Oak Park is to support the arable crops sector of Irish agriculture. To ensure that the research and services at Oak Park are of the highest quality the Centre encompasses laboratories and workshops equipped with the most up-to-date technology for analytical and research purposes; thereby enabling Irish agriculture to keep pace with rapidly changing technology.
https://www.teagasc.ie/crops This technical tour of Oakpark research Centre in Carlow will involve a tour of the research facilities and the outdoor trial sites.
Visit the Irish National Stud, a Thoroughbred horse breeding facility in Tully, Kildare, County Kildare, Ireland. It was formally established by incorporation on 11 April 1946 under the National Stud Act, 1945 and is owned by the Irish Government. The world famous Japanese Gardens at Tully were created between the years 1906 -1910. Devised by Colonel William Hall-Walker who later became known as Lord Wavertree the gardens were laid out by Japanese gardener Tass Eida and his son Minoru. The significance of the gardens is not only artistic and horticultural but also philosophical religious and historical. The garden traces the soul of man from oblivion to eternity using rare plants and landscapes that evoke the exotic. We will finish our tour in the medieval city of Kilkenny in southeast Ireland. Its grand Kilkenny Castle was built in 1195 by Norman occupiers. The town has deep religious roots and many well-preserved churches and monasteries, including imposing St. Canice’s Cathedral and the Black Abbey Dominican priory, both from the 13th century. It's also a crafts hub, with shops along its winding lanes selling pottery, paintings and jewellery.
Cost: €100.00
Tour 2 Teagasc Moorepark, Blarney Gardens and Cork city (taking in the famous English Market)
Teagasc – is the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority – and is the national body providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry and rural communities.
This technical tour will incorporate a site visit of Teagasc Moorepark near Fermoy Co.Cork. https://www.teagasc.ie/contact/offices/moorepark-animal--grassland-research-centre/
Moorepark Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre has played a pivotal role in the development of the Irish dairy industry. Since its establishment by the Irish Government in 1959, Moorepark has evolved to become the focal point of research on milk production in Ireland. As the National Dairy Research Centre, Moorepark is responsible for all aspects of dairy production research. The removal of EU dairy quotas represents a major opportunity for the Irish dairy industry and provides the basis for a 50% increase in milk output as set out in the Food Harvest 2020 report. The achievement of the FH2020 targets will require milk deliveries to increase from an average of 5.1 billion litres over the 2007 to 2009 period to 7.66 billion litres by 2020. The expansion in Irish milk production will increase the profitability of Irish dairy farms, create valuable new jobs within the national dairy industry and combined with value add at processing level; will be worth in excess of €1.5 billion in additional revenue to the Irish agri-economy in the next decade. Additionally, Food Wise 2025 projects that the value of Irish agri-food exports to increase to €19 billion by 2025, creating an additional 23,000 jobs in the agri-food sector.
Our next stop will be Cork City where we will lunch and also visit the famous English Market, there you will meet the people who produce some of the best food in Ireland. As we stroll, we point out the interesting architecture along the way and give a little of the history of the city.
Our final stop before returning to Dublin will be a visit to Blarney Castle Gardens where there is a lot more than meets the eye. Take your time to make a journey through diverse surroundings from tranquil to serene, to mystical and magical places. From the top of the Castle you can take in the wonderful views of over 60 acres of sprawling parklands which include gardens, avenues, arboretums and waterways. Find a touch of danger entwined with the beauty, as you look out for one of the few Poison Gardens in Ireland. We hope you enjoy your visit to the gardens where you will find, the beauty is ever changing with the seasons, so that no visit will ever be the same.
Cost: €110.00
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Tour 3 Botanic Gardens & Guinness Storehouse
Botanic Gardens - Ramble through these extensive gardens which stretch out over 47 acres and include themed gardens such as the Italian and Walled Garden, The Unique Pet’s Cemetery, the Japanese Garden and Tower Valley. Take time to smell the roses, stroll the double herbaceous border and discover our arboretum. Whether you are a keen walker, a nature lover, gardener or have little explorers there is something for everyone.
Since Arthur Guinness (1725–1803) founded the brewery in 1759, Guinness has become an iconic staple of Ireland. The Guinness Storehouse tour spans 7 floors in its location at St. James’s Gate, which you’ll get to experience with the aid of an array of audio-visual displays. You’ll be shown how Guinness is crafted, right from the beginning of the process, up until you’re handed a cold, delicious Guinness in the spectacular 360 degree view of the Gravity Bar on the 7th floor.
Cost: €90.00