August 17 - 24, 2025
Taste your way through the Irish heartland on this agricultural tour before cheering on your team during ‘Farmaggedon’ in Ireland
As an Iowa State College of Agriculture alum, the opportunity to host fellow Cyclones to Ireland excites me. (Check out the picture of my family in our ISU gear below!) This year, I also have a nephew graduating from Kansas State. When it was announced that the Farmaggedon game would be played in Ireland, we couldn’t wait to plan an ag-focused tour. I like to think of this as bringing folks from the heartland of the US to the heartland of Ireland. We will be staying in smaller towns and cities, touring a variety of agricultural operations - which means lots of opportunities to talk with the locals! We are aiming for a group of 12 - 20 folks - Cyclones and Wildcats are welcome!
Check out the daily itinerary below, followed by the trip details.
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August 17
After collecting the group at their airport, we will begin the tour at Irish National Stud. You will have the chance to see beautiful Irish thoroughbreds, tour the Japanese gardens, and (via simulator) breed, train and race your own!
We will share a group meal & overnight in Cashel, Co. Tipperary.
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August 18
Today, we will enjoy the sites, sounds and tastes of the Irish heartland in Co. Tipperary. After witnessing a sheepdog in action, we tour a family operation raising sheep, grains (including maize), producing Irish pudding, and operating a guest house - a true diversified operation.
We will end the day touring the Rock of Cashel with free time in town. (Jessica’s favorite place to shop)
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August 19
Your tastebuds will love this day! Feasting on Cashel blue cheese, home-baked scones, and apple cider while touring the farms that make it possible is how you’ll spend this day.
This will be our last night in Cashel.
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August 20
Today, we will travel to Kilkenny. We will spend the day enjoying Kilkenny Castle and shopping in town. To cap off the day, we will enjoy a Smithwicks tour. (Ireland’s red ale!)
We will overnight in Kilkenny.
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August 21
During the morning, we will tour Connolly’s Red Mills, a family-owned global animal nutrition company. Following this informational visit, we will visit The Orchard Centre, home to the dairy herd that supplies the cream for Bailey’s Irish Cream. (and yes, there will be a tasting!)
Tonight, we will overnight in Clone House - a beautiful estate turned bed-and-breakfast. We are also hoping to arrange for live music at a local pub.
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August 22
Enjoying our time in rural County Wicklow, we plan to visit either Wicklow Gaol (jail), highlighting the 1798 Rebellion - or Glendalough, a beautiful site of one of Ireland’s ancient monasteries.
In the afternoon, you will take in the breathtaking vistas of the Wicklow mountains while walking an alpaca. To the west, mountains - to the east, the Irish Sea, and fields surrounding you.
We will end the night with singing and dancing - taking in the banquet and show at Merry Ploughboys. Overnight in Dublin.
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August 23
Game Day!
At present, this is a free day in Dublin for you. Individual game-only tickets will go on sale in early 2025. If you would like to see the game in Aviva stadium, we recommend signing up for alerts with your team’s athletic office.
If there’s interest to watch the game in a local pub, we will work on arrangements for this. We have one in mind; we are just waiting for more game-day information.
Overnight in Dublin.
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August 24
Slan Abhaile!
This is Irish for “Safe home.” While you can stay in Ireland longer, this is the end of our Farmageddon Tour. If you’d like recommendations on what to do and/or where to stay for extending your visit - let us know!
The details
Price
The tour price is $2,400 per person for the 7 night/8 day tour, based on 2 people sharing a room. Hotel accommodations before or after are additional. If interested in arriving early or staying late, we can recommend places to stay and see. A $500 deposit secures your spot, which is refundable for two weeks upon our receiving it. If you cannot make it, the deposit can be applied to another tour with us. Final payment of $1,900 is due by June 1, 2025. Final payment is nonrefundable.
Preference for a single room? You can request a single room for an additional $600. Single rooms are limited. If traveling as a family of 3, let us know!
Included in the price
Accommodations for 7 nights
We are staying 3 nights at Baileys Hotel in Cashel, Co Tipperary; 1 night in Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny; 1 night in Clone House, Co. Wicklow; 2 nights in/near Dublin.
Breakfast daily plus 2-3 evening dinners and several visits that include tastings.
All group ground transportation We’ll be traveling in a private coach driven by Nigel.
Full time service of a tour director We’ll be with you at all times.
All group activities This includes admission to the Irish National Stud experience, Rock of Cashel, Kilkenny Castle, the farm and tasting tours, Alpaca Walk, and Merry Ploughboys concert. If there is group interest, this will also include watching the game at a local pub.
Guaranteed price The price of $2400 is guaranteed for a group of 12 or more.
You time We have a lot planned, but time on your own is important. We also include free time for you to explore, shop, and relax on your own.
Not Included
Your flights
You should arrive in Dublin no later than 11am on Sunday, August 17. If you plan to arrive a day or two early, let us know if you’d like recommendations on places to say, see, and eat. If you do arrive early, plan to meet us in Terminal 2 of Dublin Airport around 11am.
You should depart no earlier than Sunday, August 24; though, if you are not planning to watch the game - you could depart on Saturday, as our last planned group outing will be Friday, August 22.
We recommend waiting to purchase your ticket until we contact you that we’ve reached our 12-group minimum.
If you need to cancel your trip for any reason OR we need to cancel or postpone the trip, it’s your responsibility to work with your airline to cancel, reschedule, or request refunds.
Cancellations
If for any reason we need to cancel or postpone the trip, you will be refunded 100% of the cost of the trip.
If you need to cancel for any reason at all up to 60 days before the start of the trip, you will be refunded the cost minus the deposit.
If you need to cancel for any reason, one month prior to departure, the trip is non-refundable as we’ve had to put deposits down.
Trip insurance is a wise investment in case something comes up while traveling. If you think there is any chance you may need to cancel, we recommend you purchase travel insurance. A “Cancel for Any Reason” plan will let you, well, cancel for ‘most’ any reason. Most plans should allow for at least a 75% refund should you need to cancel at any time before departure.
Entry & Exit Requirements
All you need at this time is your passport!
Sign up
Email irishoaktours@gmail.com to inquire further and reserve a spot. Spots are officially held upon the receipt of a $500 deposit.
Payment by check is preferred, though we do also use Venmo.