If you’re curious about Carlow culture, how small businesses manage sustainability and the ethics of foraging, there’s plenty here for you. Stay at the beautiful Woodford Dolmen Hotel and wake up to a locally sourced, award winning breakfast each morning. A well fortified stomach is definitely advisable for the one hour guided tour and tasting at O’Hara’s Brewery. This is a working brewery which lets visitors get hands-on experience of the brewing process and taste a variety of beers and ciders straight from the tank while putting all your questions to the experts, who are all incredibly passionate about making great local products.
That night, refuel with a mouth watering four course evening meal at the Plum Tree Bistro, which is known locally for its fresh, quality food, and a night cap in the lively Dolmen Bar.
It’s back to basics for day two with the chance to forage with local botanists Mary and Robert White at Blackstairs Eco Trails exploring the natural fauna and flora at this stunning location. Head out across fields and woods to find out how to pick out the best wild, organic plants and berries – as well as what to avoid. They’ll show you how to prepare and cook what you find, and let you get stuck in!