The dream team of Abbie and Aisling stormed the rebel county with Kerrie in tow as they sampled the Whiskey and kissed the Blarney. Hitting the Midleton Distillery, Blarney Castle, the Woollen Mills and Spike Island, they made sure Kerrie knew why the locals call it the “real” capital.
Before Abbie and Aisling handed Kerrie over to Caoimhe they ensured that she was entertained, amused and immersed in all things Irish. With tastings from Jameson Whiskey to Tayto crisps and morning pub visits to pass the time, Kerrie’s trip to Cork was a memorable one, not least down to Abbie’s suggestion that FO offer the Makers of Mayo tour. Known to the rest of the team as a wonderful tour highlighting the artisan producers of County Mayo, this tour is new to the portfolio. Ever the professional, Abbie took her role as Account Manager for Fred Olsen very seriously — letting Kerrie know that EI are always revitalising the tour programme and always have new and unusual offerings. Offerings such as a tour to see how MAYONNAISE IS MADE. Quickly coming to the rescue, Aisling explained the true content of the tour and all sanity was restored.
Caoimhe took over for the next leg of the trip where visits to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin and McConnell’s Distillery in Belfast ensured that again there was plenty of tastings involved. Caoimhe’s first observation upon meeting Kerrie was her severe allergy to Silver Birch trees which had already taken effect as soon as she landed in Ireland. Powerscourt is of course a must-see for any FAM trip to the Dublin and surrounds region but poor Kerrie had to avoid as much of the gardens as possible while warily eyeing up the foliage around the areas she did explore.
Up North the adventure continued and at the Giant’s Causeway they made the last minute decision to do the red route trail and in the uncharacteristically warm conditions of 18 degrees, their April attire of jeans and jackets was not an ideal choice. The Northern leg of the trip then made its way across the Sperrin Mountains to the Glenshane Pass and Jamese and his trusty sheepdogs. And as is often the case with clients and guests alike, when asked if there was a standout favourite from her trip Kerrie unsurprisingly chose Jamese and Glenshane Farm!
The trip concluded with a dinner in the Old Storehouse where Kerrie was reunited with Aisling & Abbie and EI’s own Kerrie joined along with Caoimhe.