Private Full Day Whiskey Tour from Dublin with Tullamore D.E.W.

This full-day trip takes you from Dublin into Ireland’s Midlands, where whiskey is made in working distilleries rather than simply poured in a city bar. You’ll compare the old Kilbeggan Distillery with the polished Tullamore D.E.W. site, then stop at Sean’s Bar in Athlone, a pub dating to 900 AD.

I like the private transport and the freedom it gives you to enjoy the tastings without driving. I also like the contrast between Kilbeggan’s old Cooperage and Tullamore’s modern operation. The main drawback is the price, $589.14 per person, and lunch is not included.

Key points

• Kilbeggan gives you four whiskey tastings in the old Cooperage during a 90-minute distillery experience.
• Sean’s Bar adds character and local atmosphere, with tastings of Sean’s Blend and Sean’s Single Malt.
• Tullamore D.E.W. includes an Irish coffee, warehouse visit, cask draw, and three tutored tastings.
• A private guide and vehicle keep the day relaxed, with John or Colm providing commentary between stops.
• The 8:30 am start makes this a long day, but it leaves enough time for three distinct whiskey experiences.
• Lunch is your responsibility, with time available in Athlone during the day.

Three whiskey stops, three very different moods

The appeal here is not simply the number of samples in your glass. You get three different views of Irish whiskey in one day.

Kilbeggan offers age, craft, and a sense of working history. Sean’s Bar brings you into a snug old pub setting. Tullamore D.E.W. then gives you a modern distillery visit, complete with technology, warehouse access, and a carefully structured tasting.

That mix makes the day more rewarding than a trip that visits two similar distilleries. You can compare how whiskey was made, stored, presented, and enjoyed across very different settings.

Your private host travels with you from Dublin and provides commentary along the way. John and Colm are the named guides associated with this experience, and the guide makes a real difference here. You are not left to solve the transport, timing, and rural connections on your own.

The experience lasts about 10 hours. That is a full day by any measure, so you should enjoy whiskey and be comfortable with a steady schedule. You will have driving time between locations, but the day is built around tours and tastings rather than long periods of free exploration.

Leaving Dublin at 8:30 am

Pickup takes place in your hotel lobby at 8:30 am. The tour is private, so only your group takes part. That matters if you prefer a quieter day, want to ask plenty of questions, or are traveling with friends and family who already share an interest in whiskey.

The vehicle is described as executive transport, and round-trip travel from Dublin is included. The biggest practical benefit is simple: nobody in your group needs to drive after tasting several whiskeys.

Your guide also fills the road time with Irish whiskey and local history. One of the strongest features of the day is the balance between commentary and quiet time. You get context while traveling, then time to pay attention during the individual distillery experiences.

The route heads into counties Westmeath and Offaly. This gives you a look at rural Ireland beyond Dublin’s city streets. Do not book this expecting a long countryside walk or a formal sightseeing tour of every village. The countryside is part of the journey between whiskey stops.

Kilbeggan and the old Cooperage

The first scheduled stop is Old Kilbeggan Distillery, with about 90 minutes on site. Admission is included, as are four Kilbeggan whiskeys in a Whiskey Masterclass held in the old Cooperage.

Kilbeggan is the older-feeling half of the day. Its value comes from atmosphere as much as from the tasting itself. You are looking at a distillery with a long working connection to Irish whiskey, and the old Cooperage gives the session a more traditional setting than the sleek presentation you find later at Tullamore D.E.W.

The four-whiskey tasting gives you enough range to notice differences in style without turning the session into a blur of samples. Your guide at the distillery explains the pours and the production story, while your private host helps connect the visit to the rest of the day.

A useful tip is to pace yourself from the first tasting. Four samples may sound modest, but this is only the opening whiskey stop. You still have Sean’s Bar and Tullamore D.E.W. ahead, so small sips and water are sensible.

Kilbeggan also gives you the strongest old-world counterpoint to Tullamore. One stop feels tied to traditional distilling and the Cooperage. The later visit feels more polished and technology-led. That contrast is one of the cleverest parts of the itinerary.

Sean’s Bar in Athlone

After Kilbeggan, the route continues to Sean’s Bar in Athlone. The visit lasts about 30 minutes and includes tastings of Sean’s Blend and Sean’s Single Malt.

Sean’s Bar is presented as Ireland’s oldest pub, and possibly the oldest pub in Europe or the world. The wording reflects the famous claim attached to the pub, while the experience itself is more intimate than a standard sightseeing stop. You enter a place built around conversation, old interiors, and the everyday Irish pub tradition.

The short visit gives the day a change of pace. You leave the machinery and production talk behind and sit with whiskey in a historic pub setting. The tasting may take place in a snug, a small private room or corner traditionally associated with Irish pubs.

This is also the most natural place to fit lunch. Lunch is not included, but time in Athlone allows you to buy your own meal. Your guide can recommend a place, and the timing gives you a chance to eat before the final distillery visit.

That omission from the price is worth noting. At $589.14 per person, you may expect every meal to be covered, but it is not. Plan to pay separately for lunch and confirm the day’s timing with your guide so you know how much time you have in Athlone.

Sean’s Bar is not meant to replace a full pub evening. You have only about half an hour there, so treat it as a focused historic stop with two whiskey samples. If you want a long, unhurried pub session, this schedule will feel too tight.

The modern Tullamore D.E.W. experience

The final major stop is the Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery Experience, which lasts about 1 hour and 40 minutes. It begins with an Irish coffee on arrival, a fitting touch for a brand closely associated with Irish whiskey and coffee traditions.

The tour then moves through the state-of-the-art distillery. This is where the day shifts from old tools and pub character to modern production. You see a more polished visitor experience, with technology and a clearly staged presentation of how Tullamore whiskey is made.

A highlight is the visit to a Tullamore warehouse. You are taken among the casks and see a cask draw, which brings the aging process out of the background and into the tour itself. For many people, this is more memorable than simply looking at finished bottles in a shop.

The visit ends with a tutored tasting of three Tullamore whiskeys. The word tutored matters. You are not just handed three glasses. The tasting is designed to help you notice the differences and understand what you are drinking.

Together with the Irish coffee, the warehouse visit, and the tasting, this is the most structured part of the day. It also provides a fitting final stop because you can compare Tullamore directly with the whiskey tasted at Kilbeggan and Sean’s Bar.

The Tullamore visit can feel more corporate and polished than Kilbeggan. That is not necessarily a weakness. Some people prefer a clean, modern facility with strong presentation. Others want an older, rougher distillery atmosphere. This tour gives you both in one day.

Why the private guide matters

A private whiskey trip is more than a vehicle with a driver. Your host accompanies you between stops and provides guided commentary throughout the day.

The guide helps connect the separate visits. Without that link, you might remember three tastings as isolated events. With someone explaining the route, the distilleries, and the place of whiskey in Irish culture, the day has a clearer shape.

John is described as a whiskey specialist and guide, while Colm is also named as a driver and host. The comments attached to this experience repeatedly praise the guides for being friendly, professional, and generous with stories. Colm is especially noted for being on time, helpful, and willing to explain things during the drive.

You should still expect the official distillery staff to lead the detailed tours at Kilbeggan and Tullamore D.E.W. Your private host does not replace those specialists. Instead, the host handles the day as a whole and gives you a familiar person to return to between stops.

The best part of a private setup is flexibility in conversation. If your group is new to Irish whiskey, you can ask basic questions without feeling rushed. If you already know your whiskey, you can focus on production, cask aging, or regional history.

The price and what you receive

The listed price is $589.14 per person. That is a serious cost, especially when lunch is separate, but the comparison should be made against what is included rather than against a standard group bus excursion.

You receive private round-trip transport from Dublin, a full-day route into rural Ireland, a whiskey specialist host, admission to both distillery experiences, tastings at three locations, and the chance to visit Sean’s Bar. The day lasts about 10 hours, so the transport and guide account for a large part of the value.

The price makes more sense for a small group that wants privacy and convenience. If several people share the booking, the group discount may improve the overall value. You also avoid the cost and stress of arranging separate taxis, public transport, or a rental car for rural distilleries.

This is not the right choice if you only want one quick distillery tour from Dublin. You would be paying for a much bigger day than you need. It is better suited to someone who wants whiskey to be the main subject of a full day in Ireland.

The tour is sold in English. The minimum age is 18, and most people can participate. You should be prepared for a long day with several tastings, driving, and guided visits.

Pacing, lunch, and the amount of whiskey

The schedule is well balanced on paper. Kilbeggan takes 90 minutes, Sean’s Bar takes 30 minutes, and Tullamore D.E.W. takes 1 hour and 40 minutes. The rest of the day covers pickup, road travel, commentary, and lunch time.

One useful feature is the difference in intensity between the stops. Kilbeggan gives you a full tasting session. Sean’s Bar is short and social. Tullamore D.E.W. finishes with the most detailed presentation.

You should not treat the included samples as a challenge. The day works best when you taste slowly and pay attention. The tour is about comparing Irish whiskeys, not simply collecting as many pours as possible.

Lunch is not included, so bring a payment method and use the Athlone stop to eat. One of the recommended ways to handle the day is to ask your guide for a lunch suggestion. The schedule allows you to take care of food without losing the main experiences.

Because the start is early and the day is long, this may not suit anyone who prefers a late morning or a loose schedule. The 8:30 am pickup is firm enough that you should be ready in your hotel lobby beforehand.

Who should book this day trip

I would recommend this tour to you if whiskey is a main reason for visiting Ireland, especially if you want both traditional and modern distillery settings.

It also suits couples, families with adult children, and small groups of friends who want to stay together rather than join a large coach. The private format is useful when your group has mixed levels of whiskey knowledge because the guide can adjust the conversation.

You will get the most from the day if you care about the setting around the whiskey. Kilbeggan, Sean’s Bar, and Tullamore D.E.W. each show a different side of Irish drinking culture and production.

I would be more cautious if you dislike tastings, have little interest in distillery tours, or want a day built around independent sightseeing. The route is focused. You are not choosing the stops as you go, and much of the day is tied to scheduled visits.

It is also worth thinking about your tolerance for a long day. Ten hours is plenty of time on the road and in guided settings. The private vehicle helps, but it does not turn this into a short outing.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

Pickup is offered from your hotel, with the meeting time set for 8:30 am. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity is available in English.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.

The experience is private, so only your group participates. It is also near public transportation, although the included private vehicle is the practical way to handle this particular route.

Bring a curious attitude, allow room for lunch, and avoid scheduling another important evening activity immediately afterward. The day includes several tastings and a long return journey to Dublin.

Should you book the Kilbeggan and Tullamore D.E.W. tour?

Book it if you want a private, all-day whiskey route that combines old distillery character, a historic pub, and a modern production visit. The strongest feature is the contrast between the stops, supported by a guide such as John or Colm who keeps the day connected and relaxed.

Skip it if the price feels too high for your group or if you only want a single distillery tasting. For whiskey fans who want to see more of rural Ireland without arranging transport, the private format and three-stop design make this a strong, focused choice.

FAQ

How long does the whiskey tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 10 hours.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup begins at 8:30 am from your hotel lobby.

Is transportation from Dublin included?

Yes. Private round-trip transportation in executive transport is included.

Which distilleries are included?

The tour includes Old Kilbeggan Distillery and the Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery Experience.

What whiskey tastings are included?

Kilbeggan includes a tasting of four Kilbeggan whiskeys. Sean’s Bar includes Sean’s Blend and Sean’s Single Malt. Tullamore D.E.W. includes a tutored tasting of three Tullamore whiskeys.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, although the schedule allows time to eat in Athlone.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 18.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.