In a move that would make Saint Patrick himself chuckle into his pint, Bog & Thunder—that spirited little travel company blending food, culture, and a dollop of cheek—has teamed up with none other than the brilliant Korean American comedian and writer Youngmi Mayer to launch a rollicking new tour: “Guess What? I’m Irish!”.
Announced this week from New York, the collaboration is being hailed as a merry collision of culinary adventures, ancestral rediscovery, and side-splitting storytelling—a combination as natural as Guinness and a bag of Tayto crisps.
“Looks like we’re doing a summer trip to the homeland, besties!!” quipped Mayer, quick as a whip, reflecting the dry wit that has made her a force in both comedy circles and the written word. “This is by far the funniest thing that’s happened because of my book.”
And what a book it is—“I’m Laughing Because I’m Crying,” a memoir that quietly slipped into readers’ hearts, revealing, among many things, that Mayer’s paternal grandmother hails from Cork. That detail alone seemed destined to lead Mayer—and a lucky twelve travellers—on a journey of laughter, learning, and lashings of local fare.
The Spirit Behind Bog & Thunder
The driving force behind this inspired escapade is the husband-and-wife duo Kate McCabe and Max Sussman. McCabe, a writer and sustainability advocate, and Sussman, a James Beard-nominated chef, have spent years steeping themselves in Irish life, hospitality, and more than a few pints along the way. Their company, Bog & Thunder, is nothing short of a love letter to Ireland, written in the ink of tradition, modernity, and the occasional cider stain.
“We’re using Bog & Thunder to tell a new story about Ireland,” explained McCabe. “A story that doesn’t just cling to misty-eyed nostalgia but also celebrates the vibrant, multicultural reality of today’s Ireland. We still have our rolling green hills and warm pub welcomes, but there’s so much more to discover.”
It’s an approach that’s as refreshing as an Atlantic breeze on a Donegal cliffside, ensuring that visitors experience both the familiar and the thrillingly new.
“Guess What? I’m Irish!” – A Feast for the Senses
Kicking off in Dublin on Friday, 1 August, the tour will be a week-long tapestry woven from food, laughter, and stories richer than a Kerry cream bun. The tour opens with a storytelling and dinner extravaganza in Dublin—a proper Irish welcome, complete with the kind of warmth that could melt the frostiest Guinness.
From there, guests will meander through three nights in Dublin, two in the wild Mourne Mountains, and three in the character-rich city of Belfast. Along the way, there will be adventures aplenty:
-
Foraging on Ireland’s rugged coastlines, gathering edible seaweed, oysters, and fresh, sustainable seafood
-
Tasting ancient Irish apples at a biodynamic cider mill (and yes, plenty of cider sampling included)
-
Dining in secret locations, where Ireland’s best chefs turn local ingredients into pure magic
-
Feasting with a former hunger striker turned poet, proving that a good story and a hearty meal can heal almost anything
-
Hiking the Mourne Mountains to visit Ireland’s tiniest, and perhaps most charming, whiskey distillery
-
Cooking classes in a windswept Antrim coast village, where guests will master Irish culinary staples with plenty of laughs
And for those whose appetites extend beyond the plate, the itinerary also embraces deeper conversations—discussions of identity, resistance, colonisation, and how the Irish sense of humour has survived it all with a wink and a song.
The cherry on top? Guests will be treated to a live comedy show featuring Mayer herself at The Black Box in Belfast, joined by a line-up of local comedians. (Word to the wise: pack your best laughter muscles.)
A Homecoming Written in the Stars—and Seaweed
It was a fateful blend of timing, curiosity, and sheer enthusiasm that led McCabe and Sussman to rope Mayer into this grand venture.
“We first met Youngmi through the NYC restaurant community back when she co-founded the Mission Chinese restaurants,” said McCabe, reminiscing. “Seeing her career explode as a comedian and author has been such a joy. When her memoir revealed her Cork heritage, I knew we had to make this happen.”
Sussman, never one to miss a well-timed jab, added: “Unless you’ve read Youngmi’s book, you wouldn’t know she’s just as Irish—maybe even more so—than the lads in Boston who won’t stop shouting about it.”
About Youngmi Mayer: A Rare Talent for a Rare Trip
A tour with Mayer isn’t merely a culinary jaunt—it’s a plunge into a mind that’s made CNN, Rolling Stone, Netflix’s “Is A Joke”, Comedy Central, and BBC all sit up and take notice. She’s one of a rare breed of comedians who has conquered both the wilds of online platforms and the bright lights of mainstream media. Between hosting popular podcasts Feeling Asian and Hairy Butthole (yes, you read that right), raising her son Mino Bowien, and winning hearts across the comedy world, Mayer’s charm is irrepressible.
About Bog & Thunder: Sustainable Craic on a Plate
At its heart, Bog & Thunder is a celebration of everything that makes Ireland unforgettable: food, music, stories, and the crucial responsibility to tread lightly on the land. With sustainability woven into every itinerary, the company ensures that the breathtaking beauty of the Irish landscape is preserved for generations of travellers to come.
“We’re committed to ecotourism, and that commitment drives every decision we make,” says McCabe. “We want our guests to experience Ireland at its finest without leaving a heavy footprint behind.”
To learn more about this laugh-filled, food-fuelled, memory-making Irish tour, visit Bog & Thunder.
By Anne Keam
