Smithwick's Experience in Kilkenny has plenty to celebrate

The Smithwick’s Experience in the heart of Kilkenny City is enjoying well-deserved success with a new premium tour, a prestigious award and a fantastic lineup of live music at its stunning outdoor venue planned for the summer months.

With temperatures set to rise for the June Bank Holiday weekend, the Barrel Yard, one of the city’s most vibrant venues, has a great programme of events planned.

Manager of the Smithwick’s Experience, Ignacio Peregrina, explains how the Barrel Yard is all about supporting local acts and businesses.

“We are proud to partner with local businesses and to support upcoming talent and this is evident in the Barrel Yard every weekend as we bring in the local talent to entertain our visitors throughout the summer and serve food from our wonderful partners.

“The Barrel Yard is where the barrels were repaired and restored and people can come in and learning about the city’s brewing heritage and have a drink and a bite to eat and listen to the best of local, live music.”

This weekend, DJs Simon and Edel will perform from 5pm to 7pm on Friday, (May 31) while Lincoln Skins will take to the stage on Saturday (June 1) from 5pm to 7pm and Ruairí Flynn will perform on Sunday (June 2) from 2pm to 4pm. Food will be provided by the Kilkenny food truck, Gaelic Burger.

“We want the Barrel Yard to be the place where people gather and meet and then go onto other venues and we are linking in and supporting other pubs and restaurants.

“Kilkenny is well known for its festivals and we are excited to support them throughout the year, positively promoting everything Kilkenny has to offer.

“Our plan will be to continue our journey working closely with tourism bodies such as Failte Ireland and Visit Kilkenny, hospitality providers and other attractions in the city and county to promote Kilkenny as a top destination in the country,” he said.

“We are doing very well at the Smithwick’s Experience, our numbers are going from strength to strength and we are on track to beat the 2019 figures this year,” added Ignacio.

One of the highlights of the Smithwick’s Experience is their new offering, a premium tour, the Masters of Ale Experiencex, which includes a sensorial tasting masterclass, a perfect pint pouring tutorial and an unforgettable journey back in time where participants learn about the prominent role the Smithwick family played in the evolution of Irish ale. The 75-minute tour runs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

“This is a carefully designed tour designed to satisfy tourists and visitors who are looking for a more deeper experience into food and drink.

“This is an immersive, sensorial experience which brings visitors on a journey through the evolution of ale in Ireland. There is also a quality beer tasting masterclass with four different beers and visitors rate them based on colour, aroma and flavour.

“Following on from the masterclass we put people behind the bar and show them how to pull the perfect pint of Smithwick’s and at the end of the tour participants receive a memento gift of an engraved Smithwicks pint glass.”

Ignacio and his team have much to be proud of at the Smithwick’s Experience which provides an unique offering to tourists and locals alike. Their hard work, vision, passion and determination has paid off and was acknowledged recently when they were awarded with the Best Employer in the Small Business category in the Fáilte Ireland Employers Excellence Programme.

“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to every member of the Smithwick’s Experience family for their dedication, passion and hard work.

“This award belongs to every one of you. Let’s continue to innovate, inspire and make a difference in the lives of those we serve,” added Ignacio.