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Skerries Sea Tours runs two passenger trips daily; to Rockabill Lighthouse (1 Hour & 15 mins, €35 per person) and Lambay Island (2 Hours, €50 per person). Skerries Sea Tours incorporates a unique and often stunning exploration of the rich bird and wildlife as well as an informative guide to the local history, culture and heritage of the area:

Lambay Island ,Rockabill Lighthouse ,Skerries Islands

Seatour lambay island.

Lambay Island is situated about six miles from Skerries. It is the largest island off the east coast of Ireland and is about 1,371 acres in size. The ancient Greek writers Pliny and Ptolemy knew about the island and referred to it as Limnus or Limni. Implements and other objects from the New Stone Age and early Bronze Age have been found on the island. Gold ornaments from the Iron Age have also been found on the island.

This indicates that Lambay was inhabited at a very early period. Its early Irish name,”Reachra,” was eventually replaced by the Danish Lambay, meaning Lamb Island. This name probably originated with the practice sending over ewes to the island in spring and allowing them to remain there until the Autumn. In early Christian times it was the site of a monastery which was reputed to be the first place on the coast of Ireland to be attacked by the Danes, in the year 795 A.D. Later for some centuries it seems to have been the haunt of pirates. In the 15th century the king of England, who then bore the title of ”Lord of Ireland,” granted the island to the prior of Holmpatrick.

In 1551, after the dissolution of the monasteries it was given to John Challoner and his heirs, provided that he built a village to house the fishermen, a place of refuge for them in case of attack, and a harbour for their boats. Challoner did this. He brought from England a colony of “the king’s subjects” to inhabit the island and make it free from pirates and smugglers. A curious many sided building, raised on arches, with battlements and spike holes, which commands a view in all directions, is still standing on the island. This seems to be the “place of refuge from attack” which was built by Challoner. During the Williamite wars the island was used as an interment camp for Irish soldiers. More then one thousand of them were imprisoned there after the battle of Aughrim in 1691. Early this century a castle was built on Lambay Island with Milverton limestone.

Each stone was shaped from an individual template supplied by the architect, Sir Edwin Luytens. The castle has no right angles. Luytens was a famous English architect and town planner. He planned the principal buildings of New Delhi, in India. At one time there were 62 stone cutters at work on the island as the building progressed. To day the island is a bird sanctuary. It is now owned by Lord Revelstoke. Permission to visit must be obtained from his steward on the island.

Lambay supports the only colony of Grey Seals on the east coast. Although it is a long established breeding site for this species, it remains relatively small (45-60 individuals) probably because of the restricted area suitable for breeding. Grey Seals are listed on Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive. A herd of Fallow Deer (up to c. 80) roams the higher parts of the island, and a small number of wallabies (c. 10).

Lambay Island is internationally important for its breeding seabirds. The most numerous species is the Guillemot, with almost 52,000 individuals on the cliffs. Razorbills (3,646 individuals), Kittiwakes (5,102 individuals), Herring Gulls (2,500 pairs), Cormorants (605 pairs),Shags (1,164 pairs), Puffins (235 pairs), and small numbers of Great and Lesser Black-backed Gulls also breed (all figures from 1995). Between 1991 and 1995 Fulmar numbers varied between 573-737 pairs. There is a small colony (<100 pairs) of the nocturnal Manx Shearwater on the island and up to 20 pairs of Common Terns have bred in recent years. A few Black Guillemots have been recorded on Lambay, but it is not clear if they breed. A pair of Peregrines are known to breed on the island.

Seatour  Rockabill Lighthouse

Rockabill lies about five kilometres off the shore in an easterly direction, and is clearly visible from Skerries. The name comes from the Irish name for the rock – Carraig Dá Bheola, meaning “Two Lips Rock”. The depth of the sea around Rockabill is between 7 and 9 fathoms, and the rock was obviously a danger to shipping, especially at night. A light was sought for the rock by the Drogheda Harbour Commissioners in 1837, and they stated that the shipping which frequented Drogheda would cheerfully pay a toll towards a light on Rockabill. The authority, which controlled the building of lighthouses at that time was called the Trinity Board, and in 1838 they refused to build a lighthouse on Rockabill. However fifteen years later, in 1853, the Board changed its mind and granted permission. Plans were prepared for the lighthouse, and in 1855 the work began.

The builders were two brothers from Limerick, William and James Burgess. The chief materials used were granite from the Mourne Mountains in Co. Down and limestone from the local quarry in Milverton. The tower was built 83 feet high and the total cost of all the buildings, and apparatus, was £13,248 .The building was completed and the light was first operated on 1st. July 1860. Coal gas, supplied from a gas producing plant on the rock, provided the light until 1905. Throughout those years the lightkeepers had trouble from the gas system, as it regularly suffered damage from storms and corrosion.

From 1905 the light was powered by paraffin until 1980, when it was converted to electricity. A fog signal was established on Rockabill in 1918, and a radio telephone was installed in 1952. The lighthouse was relieved by a local boat from Skerries, or by one of the vessels owned by the Trinity Board, until 1970. From then it was relieved by helicopter. There were a total of six lightkeepers doing duty on the rock. Three were stationed on the rock doing four weeks duty at a time, while the other three had four weeks liberty. The keepers and their families lived in houses specially built for them in Harbour Road. These houses were sold in 1975, and sadly the lighthouse became fully automatic, and was demanned in March 1989.

Rockabill is an internationally important breeding site for Roseate Tern and is the most important colony in Europe.

In 2000, 614 pairs bred, an increase from 366 in 1991. Common Terns also breed with 607 pairs and 88 pairs of Arctic Tern. Other breeding seabirds are Black Guillemot (36 pairs) and Kittiwakes (160 pairs). Egg predation by Turnstones and probably Gulls was more noticeable than in previous years, but is seems like the Roseate have fared better than the Common and Arctic Terns, with 1.43 young successfully fledged from each egg laying pair. Nest boxes are provided by Eugene Macken’s class in Balbriggan Community College.

Since 1989 the site has been wardened by NPWS and BWI during the breeding season, and research and habitat management have been carried out. The site is owned by the Commissioners of Irish Lights and is a Refuge for Fauna and a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive.

Seatour  Skerries Islands

The Skerries Islands are a group of three islands situated between 1 km and 2 km east of Skerries. Shenick’s Island is connected to the mainland by sandflats at low tide. The other two islands are St. Patricks’s and Colt. Shenick’s is composed of lower Palaeozic rocks consisting of Ordovician volcanic, siltstones and shales. On the south-east of the island there is a patch of red breccia which rests unconformably on the Ordovician strata. The underlying strata are not horizontal – which is most frequently the case where an unconformity exists.

The islands are important bird islands. In 1992 15 pairs of Fulmar bred on Shenick’s and three pairs on St.Patrick’s Island. A recently established Cormorant colony on St. Patrick’s Island was discovered in 1992 and had at least 35 pairs. Shags also breed on St. Patrick’s, with 112 pairs in 1986. Large gulls breed on all three islands. Between 1984-86 the following were recorded: 89 pairs of Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls, mostly the former on Shenick’s; c.250-300 pairs of Herring Gulls, c.200 pairs of Great Black-backed Gulls on St.Patrick’s; 232 pairs of Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls, mostly the former on Colt.

In winter, the islands are frequented by geese and some waders. Brent Geese have been regular in recent years, usually in numbers less than 50. Barnacle and Greylag Geese also occur on occasions, seldom more than 50, these birds being from the Lambay populations. In January 1992, 250 Oystercatchers, 500 Golden Plover, 400 Lapwing and 600 Curlew were present. Up to three Short-eared Owls are regular each winter, though as many as six have been seen. The owls occur most often on Shenick’s and St. Patrick’s Islands. The Shenick’s Island is now a bird reserve managed by the Irish Wildbird Conservancy.

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Lambay Island

Lambay Island aerial view of the pier

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Lambay Island is a family run retreat that is close to Dublin City, but far away from any of the hustle and bustle. The island has had importance throughout history, having been occupied since the Neolithic period.

Explore the breath taking landscapes and rich island wildlife, like its famous wallabies. Immerse yourself in the historical architecture of Lambay Castle, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and the Baring family.

Indulge in boutique Lambay Whiskey, participate in creative and wellness retreats, or simply escape to an off grid private paradise to unplug and rejuvenate with family and friends. From foraging and nutrition, to yoga, writing and painting, to mindfulness, crafts and serenity, Lambay Island has

endless opportunities for inspiration and adventure for anyone seeking a truly captivating experience.

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Lambay Island

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Nestled in the Irish Sea just four miles off the coast of County Dublin, the island is a sqaure mile in extent making it the largest island off the east coast of Ireland and the largest privately owned island in North- West Europe. It is a paradise of fine architecture, birds, flowers, cattle, seals, fallow deer and even a mob of wallabies! Lambay welcomes a limited number of pre-arranged guests between the months of April and September. Visits to Lambay are arranged on a private basis only, and there are set fees for groups of up to six or 12 people. Boat transfers between Malahide and Lambay are organised by Lambay and included as part of part of the tour package. Boat timings are tide dependent and the open sea crossing takes approximately 20 minutes.

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SKERRIES SEA TOURS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Whiskey Island

Lambay Island Experience – next availability Apr to Sept 2021

Lambay Island may be barely three miles off the east coast of Ireland, but it retains an air of inaccessible mystery. When WB Yeats visited the island in the 1880’s, he compared his experience to landing on a remote South Seas island for the first time. Now, Lambay is offering private groups a chance to experience a Lambay Whiskey VIP tour.

Groups (min 2 and max 12 persons) can now visit this private island from April – October as part of a new cultural and heritage whiskey tour in exclusive partnership with Lambay Irish Whiskey Company (LIWC) and all booking enquiries are managed by the specialist Irish whiskey tour operator, Whiskey Island Tours.

John Callely Jnr., Director of Whiskey Island Tours commented, “We are delighted to partner with the Baring family and Lambay Irish Whiskey Company on this exclusive tourism offering for Dublin and Irelands east coast.”

Lambay Island has always had an air of mystery to it, being privately owned by the Baring family since 1904. Lambay is entirely focused on off-grid living and run mainly on renewable energy generated through wind and solar power. Today only 6 people reside there permanently. A place of priceless beauty, Lambay Island is almost hidden in plain sight and holds many tales of dynasty and devilment.

“While we have received a lot of interest already in this product, it does not go without its challenges as our availability on Lambay is decided by times and tides, therefore our tours are not about volume but completely about quality of experience. Since our whiskey story has developed with LIWC, it has provided a natural additional layer to our tourism offering,” said Millie Baring, Director of Hospitality for Lambay.

The VIP Whiskey tour begins at Malahide Marina where guests are hosted by a Lambay Whiskey brand ambassador and escorted to the island via private boat transfer.

Enjoy the wonderful views of Malahide and Lambay from afar as you pull out of the estuary for a short boat journey to the island. Welcomed by members of the Baring family, you will embark on a guided walking tour around their family home and castle grounds where history and architecture intertwine along with incredible stories of the family lineage, the wildlife, the flora and fauna of this mysterious place.

After the walking tour, guests are invited to discover the unique taste of Lambay Irish Whiskey partaking in a 3part whiskey tasting masterclass in the quaint surroundings of the island’s Bothy Clubhouse. This tasting includes the story, craft process of Lambay Whiskey, the fine art of blending and finishing before a visit to the bonded warehouse called the Sea Cask Room.

Additional upgrades are available such as private dining options, overnight accommodation and island safaris to view the wonderful wildlife and nature the island has to offer.

“At a time when visitors and tourists to Ireland are seeking that something different, we see this as a natural extension to our product offering,” said Senior Brand Manager LIWC, Sabine Sheehan. “Immersing whiskey lovers in the atmosphere of Lambay Island where we can share the rich stories of the Baring family legacy, the abundance of wildlife and provide whiskey masterclasses is both a unique and premium experience,” Sheehan continued.

For booking enquiries contact: John Callely [email protected] Product details can be viewed here: https://www.whiskeyisland.ie/private-island-experience/ 2020 Rate for whiskey tours on Lambay start at €2,700 Ex Vat. Tour Duration is min 90 minutes. Additional upgrades available and all tour experiences are subject to availability.

Arriving to Lambay Island

Lambay Irish Whiskey

A unique expression inspired from a special place, Lambay Whiskey comprises of the finest triple distilled spirit that is bourbon cask matured, then masterfully blended in hand-selected Cognac casks before being crafted with water from Lambay Island’s Trinity Well. The hand-selected French oak casks are carried across the sea from the world-renowned cellars of Camus, France.

Lambay Whiskey is a partnership born from an intriguing collaboration between two families: Camus, the worlds leading family-owned Cognac producer and the Baring family’s Revelstoke Trust. Both families share a history of rarity and refinement, a passion for nature, innovation, entrepreneurship and appreciation for the finer things in life. Their unique Irish whiskey has been crafted and inspired by the isle of Lambay, home of Alexander Baring, and finished with the award-winning techniques and expertise of Maison Camus, ancestral home of Cyril Camus. The entrepreneur Cyril Camus is part of the fifth generation of Maison Camus, an illustrious French family famous all over the world for their incomparable Cognac. Bonded by a love of nature and the finer things in life, Cyril and Alexander make the perfect partners in whiskey production.

There is no operating distillery on the island (yet!); the whiskey spirit is sourced through an independent Irish distiller before being matured, blended and finished by LIWC. Lambay Whiskey launched in Ireland in 2018 and is now in over 40 markets worldwide as well as Duty Free. There are currently two products in the portfolio with a third to be announced in Spring 2020.

Lambay Whiskey – Small Batch Blend is the flagship brand and is a blended whiskey. Oak brown in colour and crafted with notes of malt, flora, cracked almonds, and pepper. The finish has a lingering spiciness attributed to a Cognac cask finish. This whiskey is elegantly smooth and mysterious showing characteristics as unique as the island itself. 40% ABV, non-chill filtered. RRP €41 (70ml)

Lambay Whiskey – Single Malt is a deliciously smooth un-peated craft malt whiskey. Triple-distilled and non-chill filtered, its unique flavour can be attributed to first fill bourbon barrels, which had a previous heavy rye content, that impart a subtle sweetness and floral note to the spirit. Lambay Single Malt is wholly finished in Cognac casks. Selected Cognac casks are placed on Lambay Island to bring maritime notes to the casks exposed to the fresh sea air. Warm mahogany in colour, Lambay Single Malt has tastes of coconut, malt, and dried berries. It has a long-lasting malt finish with lingering sweetness and green fruits. 40% ABV, non-chill filtered RRP €57 (70ml)

About: Lambay Irish Whiskey Company DAC (LIWC) Lambay Irish Whiskey Designated Activity Company was established 8th of February 2017 in Dublin, Ireland and is a separate business unit which belongs to the Camus Group. Headed by Managing Director, Jean-David Costerg, the company is also a member of IBEC, the Irish Whiskey Association and Irish Spirits Association.

Contact: LIWC @ [email protected] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lambay-whiskey/ Twitter https://twitter.com/LambayWhiskey Tel: +353 (0) 1 237 4669 Web: www.lambaywhiskey.com

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Lambay tour - Skerries Sea Tours

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I've grown up in the north of County Dublin and like many people gazed across the sea at the... read more

lambay island tour

A magical day. I flew over from London for the day knowing that a friend’s invitation to tour... read more

lambay island tour

Lambay tour

Interesting place, Lambay Island! Been occupied for thousands of years. Barings, the bank people, currently own it. Our tour did not include a visit to the houses, which was a bit disappointing, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. Our guide was quite good, plenty of knowledge and yarns to keep us entertained and informed. Varied wildlife to look out for, including wallabies, deer, puffins and gannets. And others. Buildings designed by Edwin Lutyens. Very enjoyable day out, I must say

lambay island tour

I've grown up in the north of County Dublin and like many people gazed across the sea at the mysterious Lambay Island. I've longed to visit the island, but never knew how to go about it. Last weekend I went on the Lambay Island tour with Skerries Sea Tours - Gerry and George were our guides - and the experience exceeded all of my expectations. Gerry is a fount of knowledge and a wonderful storyteller, bringing the challenges and pleasures of island living to life. Both he and George clearly have a deep love and respect for the island and the people and wildlife who live there, and their affinity for the place is contagious. I'd highly recommend this tour whether you are visiting from abroad or being a tourist in your home county. I'll definitely be returning to Lambay.

A magical day. I flew over from London for the day knowing that a friend’s invitation to tour Lambay was priceless. Met a group in Malahide and we crossed in twenty minutes. We walked from the boathouse in the harbour to the highest point and on to The Nose, amidst curious wallabies with joeys and agile fallow deer running with fawns, under gulls wheeling in the stiff sea breeze, to see seals, gannets, kittiwakes, fulmars, oystercatchers, guillemots, razorbills and the whirring-winged iconic puffins. The rare Lutyens architecture, a Real Tennis Court - too many wonderful things to describe. And we were taken out there by Skerries Sea Tours. Easily. Safely. You’ll be doing yourselves a big favour if you get the opportunity. Do it.

We went to the island with a group of friends. We were blessed with the weather which was warm and sunny throughout. Our tour guide, Gerry, really knew a lot of the history and his love of the place shone through. The tour was at gentle pace and we saw wallabies, deer, and plenty of bird life. The journey over was about 20 mins and we felt in safe hands in the 11m covered rib with Eoin at the helm. It was a very special day that we will not forget.

Having viewed Lambay and Rockabill from afar for many years, I was looking forward to the trip and was not disappointed. Eoin was a great guide, very informative and attentive. I knew little about the Tayleur shipwreck all those years ago and was intrigued by the details. If interested in birds and wildlife - trip is a must. The walking tour on Lambay appears very attractive and may do this in 2019. Boat trip exhilarating!!

Lambay Island is somewhere I wanted to visit for many years. I was not disappointed. The boat from Malahide took about 20 minutes. We then spent over four hours walking the entire island with Gerry, our tour guide. His knowledge and manner of delivery made it a fabulous experience. I would highly recommend this tour. Thanks to Gerry and Eoin.

lambay island tour

lambay island tour

PRIVATE ISLAND

lambay island tour

Entirely off-grid and unattached to the mainland by so much as a cable or pipe, Lambay (630 acres) is partially run on green energy generated by solar panels and a wind turbine that are rigged up to a complex battery system.  While the turbine and panels produce more than enough energy to run the entire island, we are thwarted by the storage system, which is unable to hold all the energy produced.

Throughout 2015 and 2016 we revamped the entire energy system, allowing it to extend to more buildings on the island.  The ultimate goal is to get it to a level where it will generate and store enough power to sustain the entire island on renewable energy.

Lambay also has its very own natural water source, the Trinity Well, which provides us with beautifully fresh volcanic spring water the year round for drinking, washing, cooking and bathing.  This is now also used to create our very own Lambay Whiskey .

NATURAL HISTORY

Lambay is internationally important (and a Natura 2000 site) for its breeding seabirds and is home to the largest breeding colony of North Atlantic Grey Seals on the east coast of Ireland.  It also holds a remarkable place in European natural history as the site of a pioneering biological investigation undertaken by the naturalist Robert Lloyd Praeger in 1906.  They even found some entirely new species including  three earthworms, a bristletail and a mite!

lambay island tour

Lambay Farm: Sustainable & Organic Practices

The farm on Lambay has been running since before Cecil and Maude Baring bought the island in 1904, but the only information we currently have on record comes from within the family.  Daphne, their eldest daughter, reminisces in  I Remember, I Remember  about her mother Maude churning the fresh milk into butter and making "island cheese" with Kathleen Cashman, who came from Killarney to work on Lambay as a dairymaid, housemaid and cook and whose striking portrait by Maude still hangs in the Castle hallway outside the kitchen.

At some point during their son Rupert's "reign", there was a conversion from dairy to beef cattle and the "Lambay black face" sheep were removed as the number of staff on the island dwindled throughout the late 20th Century.  By the time of Rupert's death in 1994, Lambay's farming activity was greatly reduced, although the next two decades saw a revival of the cattle herd.

Today, as we look at the long-term future of Lambay and ways of introducing modern, regenerative farming techniques to further protect the island, we have reduced the cattle herd and Lambay has seen the return of a large sheep flock along with a Lambay shepherd.  In the Spring the island lives up to its name in full force, with guests being enchanted by the frolicking lambs.

lambay island tour

Our Welsh Lleyn sheep are bred for their delicious meat and share the land harmoniously with our resident deer, wallabies, rabbits and seabirds.  We take pride in practising farming as organically as is safely possible on an island; all the animals have a free range life, eating the fresh sea-salt grass and natural meadow vegetation across the island.  We also have a few chickens for fresh, free range eggs.

Our farm meat, along side venison from the island's fallow deer, is distributed through a local meat company in County Dublin, and can be found in some of the area's Michelin star restaurants, as well as having featured on Aer Lingus' first class in-flight menu.  Kerrigan's Butcher in Malahide sells delicious Lambay meat boxes at certain times of year.

On the island we keep aside a small portion of the meats including fresh wallaby (as they have no natural predators on the island, we must cull them annually along with the deer to keep them healthy) for the family and special guests.  This is often complimented perfectly with delicious natural produce foraged from the shoreline, the gardens and further afield.

lambay island tour

Lambay's Eco-System

By its very nature as an island, Lambay has a unique eco-system and microclimate that remains independent of the mainland. Visitors and guests are quick to note the proliferation of bees and butterflies of all shapes and colours, who thrive thanks to a lack of pollution, disturbance and an abundance of flora and natural habitat.

The Barings are committed to protecting and maintaining this precious eco-system not only for the flora and fauna, but also as a place where sustainable living and sustainable practices are prevalent, reminding us to slow down and live in a responsible and healthy manner.

lambay island tour

From production through to waste, island life requires more thought to go into our behaviour when it comes to consumption. Starting on the production level, we practise organic farming on Lambay - ensuring our animals have a natural, free-range lifestyle and with minimum medical intervention.

Island residents make a weekly only food order, which comes over on the boat, so planning and imagination is required to ensure there is minimal waste without then running out of food by the end of the week!  Where time permits we make our own bread and we use home grown herbs in our cooking.

In recent years and thanks to our wonderful Club Patrons and the hard work of our hospitality assistant cum gardener, we have begun the mammoth task of getting the walled kitchen garden back in action.  Now we can grow the majority of our own fresh produce, saving unnecessary packaging being brought over from the mainland.  We already use many of the naturally growing ingredients in our cooking, with our top foodies and caterers Monica Wilde , The Edible Flower and Lottie Brook choosing to forage for what they need - be it herbs, salads, garnishes, flowers and fruit; seaweeds, wild mussels and clams; or fresh wallaby meat for stews and mince!

Another plan on the horizon will be to set up some bee hives and one day have our own Lambay honey.

lambay island tour

COMPOST & RECYCLING

Another reason for limiting what we bring over from the mainland is the packaging - everything on Lambay must be recycled or composted, and there is limited space for storage.  What cannot be recycled must eventually be returned to the mainland, so we keep this to a minimum.

Throughout 2016 we invested in a glass crusher and another for plastics and metals.  Each kitchen on Lambay has an organised waste system, with separate compartments for Tins/Cans, Plastics, Glass, Paper/Card and Skip Waste.  For food we have Compost and Cooked Waste, the former going onto our composting heaps and the latter going to the chickens, birds and the lobsters.

ENERGY CONSUMPTION

The first wine turbine was installed on Lambay as far back as the 1980's.  We have since added solar panels and in 2016 we updated the equipment to a far more efficient system which now powers the Castle hot water and heating, as well as the entire island's electricity.

Off-grid living requires a responsible attitude towards energy consumption; what cannot be provided by the wine turbine and solar panels must be shipped over from the mainland at great expense and requiring complex logistics and manpower.  While we already generate enough renewable energy to power the whole island, our current system has a limit on how much energy it can store.  As a result, we are still reliant on oil burners and coal to heat some of the shoreline buildings until such a time that we are able to upgrade the entire system to a more powerful one.

We must also be conscientious with our water consumption; while there is an unlimited supply during the winter months, a particularly dry summer can cause our spring levels to drop considerably.  This has been much improved by our present reservoir system, which was upgraded to store and collect island water for our Lambay Whiskey.

lambay island tour

SUSTAINABLE ISLAND LIVING

There are few places left in the modern world that provide a community with an environment which requires each person to think carefully and responsibly about sustainable practices on a day-to-day basis.  Here on Lambay, we consider it a blessing as it reminds us to be grateful for everything we have, and to be imaginative with the resources available to us.  Sometimes that may mean concocting an unusual meal with whatever is left in the cupboard the night before the next food order is due to arrive; or rigging an automatic lighting system that will ensure lights are not left on unnecessarily by guests; or planning the washing loads to use minimal off-grid power.  Other times it means putting down the phones, the iPads and the laptops to read a book by the fire, play a game or simply enjoy the freedom of a long walk in the unspoiled natural habitat of the island.

The Lambay Island Club has been created to share this unique world with the bold and the bright who find themselves going at full speed while immersed in city life.  The aim is to remind these successful and driven individuals that slowing down for a short time can enhance their productivity no end; by immersing them in a shared experience that taps into a different part of their brains, we allow these brilliant people to form sustainable  personal and business relationships that lead to new and exciting projects, based on a truer sense of a responsible and sustainable lifestyle going forwards.

lambay island tour

Uncork the Unique

lambay island tour

SMALL BATCH BLEND

Uncork the unique .

A triple-distilled, bourbon barrel matured blended whiskey, finished in cognac casks carried across the sea from the world-renowned cellars of Cognac House Camus. Lambay’s own volcanic Trinity Well water is added at the final stage before bottling, this is a whiskey as unique as the island that inspires it.

The air and the alchemy

Rare in the world of Irish whiskey, this is a unique blend of at least three single malts, double & triple distilled, bourbon barrel matured, and masterfully blended before finishing in Lambay’s signature cognac-cask style. For the final flourish before bottling, water is added from Lambay's Trinity Well volcanic spring.

Single Malt - Reserve Cask Series

A journey of taste.

Batch 01 Single malt is the first of a new three-part collection called Reserve Cask Series released in 2022 and limited to just 10,000 bottles . Triple distilled, bourbon barrel matured, and cognac-cask finished before crafting with Lambay Trinity Well water. A truly distinctive taste experience, that takes you on a journey of sea, island, and cask, from the first sip to the last.

Single Malt - single cask strength cask 7494

Crafted and highly exclusive, this Single Cask Strength expression of Lambay Whiskey Single Malt is a pure taste of island life and is continually appreciated by whiskey collectors as each batch bottling is released.

Introducing  Cask 7494 , batch 05 from our limited edition triple-distilled single malt, bourbon barrel matured and finished in hand-selected cognac casks in our Sea Cask Room on Lambay. This cask strength wholly influenced by the sea, reflects the exceptional cognac influence and finishing skills of our Master Blender.

Our Signature Serves

Irish gold rush.

The magic of three

Lambay Manhatten

An easy twist on a classic cocktail, rose petals are not compulsory!

Irish Emerald

Try out this easy -to-make St. Patrick's Day cocktail

lambay island tour

The Irish Gold Rush

lambay island tour

The Lambay Manhatten

lambay island tour

The Irish Emerald

Latest news.

lambay island tour

Unlock The Prestige - Master Blender Yonael Bernard

Master Blender and Cellar Master- Yonael Bernard.

lambay island tour

To Sip or Swirl Irish Whiskey

To sip or swirl Irish whiskey? Lambay whiskey is unpacking the Irish whiskey experience.

lambay island tour

Best St. Patrick’s Day Irish Whiskey & Food Pairings

Mitchellin Star chef Jp McMahon partners with IWA for the best whiskey food pairings.

lambay island tour

Visiting Lambay

Access to Lambay is very limited as it is a private island and usually visitors are welcomed by invitation only. Lambay Whiskey does not have an operating distillery (yet!) or visitor centre on the island, only our bonded warehouse which is not open to the public. 

However, we often receive inquiries from locals and tourists alike on how they can come and visit Lambay and we advise checking in with local guide Eamonn Mc Grattan from  www.fishandtrips.ie

A walking tour of Lambay and an island viewing from the sea by boat, is indeed a treat when viewing the wildlife and the season is usually from April - October. Weather permitting, this is a five-hour Lambay guided walking tour to see the wildlife and scenery as well as the external of some of the various buildings most weekends.

lambay island tour

Two distinguished families.....

Once upon a most unusual island, two entrepreneurial spirits from two very old families decided to form a unique partnership. Together, they’d make an Irish whiskey. But not just any whiskey – theirs would be one of dynasty and devilment, of rarity and refinement, unique tasting, and masterfully crafted.

Their idea was to create an innovative Irish whiskey inspired by the island of Lambay , the ancestral home of Alexander Baring , and finished with the techniques and expertise of Maison Camus, the ancestral home of  Cyril Camus, Cognac. 

lambay island tour

Corporate Social Responsibility

Lambay Irish Whiskey is proud to be a member and verified in Ireland’s Origin Green Sustainability Program .

That means our commitment toward sustainability and following environmentally friendly practices to produce remarkable, premium Irish spirits, is the core of our business and understanding of who we are and what we stand for.

lambay island tour

We're Social!

Building a community online is important to us and we love to see images of our puffin flying around the world, share your #lambaymoments with us today.

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Join Our Mailing list

Become part of our Puffin Society and receive exclusive updates in our monthly newsletters on events, special offers, new releases and more!

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IMAGES

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    lambay island tour

  2. Lambay Whiskey VIP Tour Experience on Lambay Island

    lambay island tour

  3. Lambay Island

    lambay island tour

  4. LAMBAY ISLAND (Dublin)

    lambay island tour

  5. A Private Paradise

    lambay island tour

  6. 2021-06-27|Lambay Island

    lambay island tour

VIDEO

  1. Lambay Arsay Ke Baad Dooston Se Mulakaat

  2. Seals on Lambay Island, Ireland, June 2023

  3. For Sale: 55 Lambay Drive, Ballybrack, Co Dublin

  4. Dublin -LAMBAY Island 6.6.21

  5. Lambay Island in Ideal Conditions

  6. lambay wall NY dend wergy

COMMENTS

  1. A Private Paradise

    starting from €1,680. Enjoy a two-hour private tour of the famous Lutyens architecture on Lambay, led by a resident family member or close friend of the island. The tour encompasses the works conceived by renowned architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, and patrons Cecil & Maude Baring, between 1908 and 1933 which transformed Lambay into the ...

  2. Lambay Island

    Walking tour of Lambay Island via Skerries Sea Tours. Sep 2018 • Friends. We had the good fortune to participate in a small group walking tour of Lambay Island yesterday via Skerries Sea Tours. It was outstanding. Starting with safety first on the boat, it was a quick trip over to the Island. Gerry, our Captain and guide was great.

  3. A Private Paradise

    Lambay is the largest island off the east coast of Ireland and lies just 20 km from the centre of Dublin and five km off the coast of Rush, North County Dublin. The remnants of a vast volcano, Lambay emerged after two continents joined to create Ireland 450 million years ago. Consequently, it is formed from a beautiful flecked green stone ...

  4. Sea Tours

    Skerries Sea Tours runs two passenger trips daily; to Rockabill Lighthouse (1 Hour & 15 mins, €35 per person) and Lambay Island (2 Hours, €50 per person). Skerries Sea Tours incorporates a unique and often stunning exploration of the rich bird and wildlife as well as an informative guide to the local history, culture and […]

  5. Skerries Sea Tours

    A sea tour, 3 hour island walk, wallabies, cattle and a castle all steeped in mystery and history. 30 mins by boat from Skerries followed by a guided walking tour of the privately owned Lambay Island including limited access to some of the grounds of the currently occupied castle and associated buildings. The walk takes you from the pier on ...

  6. Lambay Island

    Lambay Island, off the coast of Portrane and Rush, County Dublin, is a hidden sanctuary of nature, history and creativity. Relax and recharge with their historical architecture, history and nature tours, wellness and creativity retreats. Lambay Island is a family run retreat that is close to Dublin City, but far away from any of the hustle and ...

  7. LAMBAY ISLAND: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

    Walking tour of Lambay Island via Skerries Sea Tours. Sept 2018 • Friends. We had the good fortune to participate in a small group walking tour of Lambay Island yesterday via Skerries Sea Tours. It was outstanding. Starting with safety first on the boat, it was a quick trip over to the Island. Gerry, our Captain and guide was great.

  8. Visit Lambay Island

    Lambay. Nestled in the Irish Sea just four miles off the coast of County Dublin, the island is a sqaure mile in extent making it the largest island off the east coast of Ireland and the largest privately owned island in North- West Europe. It is a paradise of fine architecture, birds, flowers, cattle, seals, fallow deer and even a mob of wallabies!

  9. The BEST Lambay Island Island tours 2024

    Our most recommended Lambay Island Island tours. 1. Dublin: Howth Coast and Ireland's Eye Boat Tour. Discover the beauty of Howth's coastline and Dublin Bay on a boat tour. Cruise around Ireland's Eye, taking in spectacular views of the Island, the Martello Tower, and the colony of seals and birds. Choose to land on the island and explore the ...

  10. The BEST Lambay Island Cruises & boat tours 2024

    Our most recommended Lambay Island Cruises & boat tours. 1. Dublin Bay: Roundtrip from Howth to 'Ireland's Eye' Island. Depart from the West Pier in Howth and take a relaxing 60 minute cruise on board the St Bridget from the beautiful Howth Harbour. Take in the breathtaking views from this amazing vantage point and see the beautiful bird and ...

  11. Skerries Sea Tours

    About. Skerries seatours incorporates a unique and often stunning exploration of the rich bird and wildlife as well as an informative guide to the local history,culture and heritage of the area. Our tours now run from Malahide marina,South of skerries. We operate 3 tours every Saturday and Sunday.Two Lambay island and Rockabill lighthouse boat ...

  12. The BEST Lambay Island Tours and Things to Do in 2024

    Find the top-rated and best-reviewed tours and activities in Lambay Island for 2024. From prices and availability to skip-the-line options and mobile tickets, get all the information you need to make the most of your trip to Ireland.

  13. Lambay Island Experience

    Lambay Island may be barely three miles off the east coast of Ireland, but it retains an air of inaccessible mystery. When WB Yeats visited the island in the 1880's, he compared his experience to landing on a remote South Seas island for the first time. Now, Lambay is offering private groups a chance to experience a Lambay Whiskey VIP tour.

  14. Lambay Island

    Lambay Island (Irish: Reachrainn), often simply Lambay, is an island in the Irish Sea off the coast of north County Dublin, Ireland.The largest island off the east coast of Ireland, it is four kilometres (2 mi) offshore from the headland at Portrane, and is the easternmost point of the province of Leinster.Of volcanic origin, it has been inhabited since the prehistoric period and has been the ...

  15. Lambay Island

    Walking tour of Lambay Island via Skerries Sea Tours. Sep 2018 • Friends. We had the good fortune to participate in a small group walking tour of Lambay Island yesterday via Skerries Sea Tours. It was outstanding. Starting with safety first on the boat, it was a quick trip over to the Island. Gerry, our Captain and guide was great.

  16. Lambay tour

    Last weekend I went on the Lambay Island tour with Skerries Sea Tours - Gerry and George were our guides - and the experience exceeded all of my expectations. Gerry is a fount of knowledge and a wonderful storyteller, bringing the challenges and pleasures of island living to life. Both he and George clearly have a deep love and respect for the ...

  17. Whiskey Tour

    After the Lambay island tour, guests are invited to discover the unique story of Lambay Irish Whiskey. Begin with a three-part whiskey masterclass in the island's boathouse hosted by our whiskey expert. Both interactive and fun, our Lambay whiskeys are paired with craft chocolate and the story of Lambay Whiskey is shared.

  18. Our Island

    A walking tour of Lambay and an Island viewing from the sea by boat, is indeed a treat when viewing the wildlife and the season is usually from April - October. Weather permitting, this is a five-hour Lambay guided walking tour to see the wildlife and scenery as well as the external of some of the various buildings most weekends. ...

  19. A Private Paradise

    Off-Grid Living. Lambay Whiskey. Location. More... Overnight stays on Lambay are limited to preserve the island's unspoiled ecosystem and are subject to the approval of the Lambay Estate directors. It is possible to stay on the island between the months of April and September, either by applying to privately book O'Connells Cottage (6 guests ...

  20. About The Island

    Lambay is internationally important (and a Natura 2000 site) for its breeding seabirds and is home to the largest breeding colony of North Atlantic Grey Seals on the east coast of Ireland. It also holds a remarkable place in European natural history as the site of a pioneering biological investigation undertaken by the naturalist Robert Lloyd ...

  21. Lambay Whiskey Home

    A walking tour of Lambay and an island viewing from the sea by boat, is indeed a treat when viewing the wildlife and the season is usually from April - October. Weather permitting, this is a five-hour Lambay guided walking tour to see the wildlife and scenery as well as the external of some of the various buildings most weekends.