How it STARTED
In 2022 & 2023 The Dead Rabbit’s entire leadership team came together to plan two captivating trips to Ireland with a number of very special guests. The goal was to immerse the attendees in ‘Modern Ireland,’ capturing The Dead Rabbit’s ‘Tradition, meet Tomorrow’ vision through visits to the makers, the craftspeople, the brewers and distillers, the chefs and restauranteurs, the people who make Ireland one of the most vibrant, creative nations across the world.
We met painters, photographers, and textile artists through our partner, Crown Creative. We met and listened to emerging and established musicians through our Director of Music, Liam Craig, and got behind-the-scenes access to whiskey makers, distilleries, and of course, the mighty Guinness, through our Director of Irish Whiskey, Mark McLaughlin.
Tours of Ireland now brings all of these connections together, inviting people from all corners of the globe to celebrate the Ireland we’re so passionate about, meet the people that form it, and experience the culture that we’re renowned for, all uniquely curated for your enjoyment, and ours.
Meet Our Founders
Jack McGarry
Belfast-native Jack McGarry is Managing Partner of The Dead Rabbit where he oversees all operations and business expansion for the internationally-recognized pub. Under his stewardship–and now in its 11th year–The Dead Rabbit has become one of the world’s most awarded and globally recognized pubs, winning eight Tales of the Cocktail awards and five World’s 50 Best Bars awards, including the title of World’s Best Bar from both organizations. Jack is a tireless champion for contemporary Irish culture, and has built an ecosystem at The Dead Rabbit that reinforces this mission
Mark McLaughlin
Director of Irish Spirits - The Dead Rabbit
Hailing from Donegal and now based in Galway, Mark is a leading voice on Irish Whiskey education, having worked with the category across hospitality, specialist retail, and global and craft brands. He oversees the Irish spirits selection at The Dead Rabbit while creating a platform for Irish spirits brands to succeed and plays an integral part in the continued development of the most comprehensive Irish Whiskey education platform in the world, the Irish Whiskey Genius program. As far as Irish tour guides go, they don’t get much more experienced, insightful, or passionate than Mark.
Our Tour Pillars
For each of our Tours of Ireland we will meet the people behind some of our key partnerships in representing Modern Ireland authentically in the US. We’ll have unparalleled access to the Irish Whiskeymakers, Chefs & Restauranteurs and the Craftspeople of Ireland that we’re championing every day.
Here’s a selection of some of our favorites:
Irish Whiskey Experiences
JJ Corry Whiskey Bonders
In the heart of West Clare on a 100+-year-old family farm, the team at JJ Corry has resurrected the lost art of whiskey bonding. We’ll meet the founder, Louise McGuane, explore her library of flavors in the rackhouse, and enjoy a feast of the best local produce in her beautiful home.
Midleton Distillery
The home of Jameson Irish Whiskey, along with Redbreast, Powers, Midleton, and others, we’ll get behind-the-scenes access to the distillery, guided by the Masters responsible for creating multi-award-winning whiskeys. We’ll visit the warehouses and the micro-distillery and taste some of their incredible whiskeys along the way - an Irish whiskey experience unlike any other.
Boann Distillery
Collaboration is a key pillar of The Dead Rabbit, and when working with distilleries, we look for makers with authenticity at their core, who innovate and push the boundaries of what's expected from the category. Boann delivers this and much more, and the Cooney family has invited us behind the curtain to explore their nano-copper pot stills, fine oak cask cellars, and whiskey of distinct character with a real sense of place - lucky us.
Food Experiences
Ballymaloe Cookery School
Founded by Darina Allen and Rory O’Connell in 1983, Ireland’s most iconic cookery school is on a 100-acre organic farm. We’ll explore and peruse the produce before being guided through techniques to create wholesome, flavorful Irish dishes. We’ll visit the farm, their dairy, the gardens, and glasshouses and finish with an early supper we’ll have helped create.
Mark Moriarty
A frequent Dead Rabbit collaborator, Mark Moriarty is an award-winning Irish chef, renowned TV host, and acclaimed author. In his new intimate studio and private dining space, he’ll envelop guests in a celebration of modern Irish food, its talented producers, and their incredible ingredients, making us the luckiest diners in town.
The Dough Bros
Why are all the best pizzerias in Naples, London, and New York when the best produce in the world is here in the West of Ireland? With this in mind, the Dough Bros, Eugene & Ronan, have created one of the world’s most recognized pizzerias in the heart of Galway City.
The Armada Kitchen Garden
Just over 2 miles up the road from the Armada Hotel, this sustainable farm celebrates the cleanest, greenest, and purest forms of growing - a true passion project, which also supplies the hotel’s restaurant.
The Waterman
One of Ireland’s leading culinary institutions, Waterman House Cookery School is Niall McKenna's purpose-built mecca for food-led education, based right in the heart of Belfast's Cathedral Quarter. We'll learn how to create some contemporary Irish dishes, which we'll cook together, feast on, and wash down with wine, coffee, or tea.
Makers Experiences
Modet Furniture
With the waves crashing on the beach beneath the hotel, we’ll enjoy the raw beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way at its best here in West Clare. Recently renovated, The Armada captures the best of rural, coastal Ireland, with stunning scenery and multiple dining options. Menus here highlight the best Irish produce, with local seafood, meat, dairy, and vegetables. The perfect retreat after exploring the surrounding area’s natural beauty.
FieldDay
If you've been to The Dead Rabbit, you’ll already be familiar with FieldDay, our partners in everything related to scent. Their Irish-made candles, hand soaps and fragrances can be found in all of our venues, artfully capturing the fragrant fields of the lush Irish countryside. We’ll meet the team and learn what inspires them, with the chance to purchase gifts to bring home - or just a present for yourself.
Canvas Galleries
Between The Dead Rabbit New York and Austin, the walls are lined with thousands of pieces of Irish art - paintings, drawings, photography, textiles, prints, and more - and most of them have passed through the talented hands of the framers at Canvas Galleries, experts in contemporary art. We'll meet the team and explore the work they have on display - some of which might be destined for future Dead Rabbit venues.