What an amazing day we had on Sunday on board our ‘Midleton Very Rare Express’ as we joined the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland – Dublin Operations and made our way to Kilkenny. 

We rolled out the red carpet for our passengers, and spirits were high as we set off for Kilkenny. After enjoying the sights and sounds and steam travel, we arrived in Kilkenny and made our way to the Set Theatre at Langtons Hotel Kilkenny for the most amazing lunch. Aoghan, Seamus, Peter, and all the staff at Langtons did a amazing job of looking after us and the room looked fantastic!

It was here that our whiskey experience began and what an experience it was! We were lead by Andrew Dickey of Irish Distillers through a tasting of some of the expressions that make up the Midleton Very Rare 2025 vintage. The Whiskey was just amazing and Andrew did a fabulous job leading our passengers through the history of the brand and the whiskey they had in their hand. 

With lunch complete, we made our way back to the station to join the train again for our return journey. This leg of the journey was extra special from a steam perspective, as locomotive No.131 was coupled directly to our carriage, further enhancing the experience. 

With the return journey in full flow, it was time to enjoy some Whiskey on the Tracks. Our passengers started with the reason they were there, as they enjoyed a pour of the world famous Midleton Very Rare expression. 

A real bonus for our passengers was the addition of a pour of the very special, Dair Ghaelach Kilranelagh Wood, tree No.3, to be specific. 

With our journey complete after our arrival back into Dublin Connolly, we said goodbye to our passengers wished everyone safe onward travel. 

A huge thank you to Andrew Dickey of Irish Distillers , Aoghan of Langton’s Hotel and Joe McKeown of The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland for eveything they did for us on this special day out.