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Irish Gems Tour 7 nights |
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The first part of your tour is spent in the Waterford area.
Waterford is a bustling port on the south coast, and the centre of this ancient city is best explored on foot. Much of the old Viking city walls remain from the time of the Danish settlement here. It was the Vikings who built Reginald’s Tower, an ancient fortification, which you must visit. It is nearly 1,000 years old, and has had many different uses through time, including as a mint for silver coins, a home for kings, a prison, and now a museum.
The city is world famous for the Waterford Crystal hand blown cut glass, and there are free-guided tours of the factory to see the special crafts involved.
Overnight in the Waterford area |
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Leave Waterford and drive east towards Wexford, stopping at the Irish National Heritage Park at Ferrycarrig. This 35-acre site by the River Slaney takes you through 9,000 years of Irish history, as a background to your tour. Continue north, perhaps stopping at Enniscorthy Castle, and through Arklow before arriving in the Avoca area for accommodation for the next two nights as shown below.
Avoca is a little village in a picturesque valley of the Wicklow Mountains, at the confluence of two rivers – the setting for the poem ‘The Meeting of the Waters’ – with many pleasant forest walks to enjoy.
On Day 3, you have a choice between spending the day in the exciting and historic capital city, Dublin, or exploring the coast and the Wicklow Mountains. Drive to Bray, an old seaside resort via Wicklow itself, and then visit the splendid Powers court Gardens, considered some of the finest in Europe. Return to Avoca stopping on the way at Glenda Lough, a fascinating ruined monastery gloriously set in a valley with two lakes, with the mountains as a backdrop.
Overnight south of Dublin
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Drive across country to Carlow, stopping en route at Browne’s Hill Dolmen, a massive stone monument dating from 2,000 BC. Continue to Kilkenny, a lovely medieval town with narrow winding streets, situated on the banks of the River Nore.
You now drive through the Slieveardagh Hills to Cashel, an interesting town in its own right with an attractive main street, but most famous for the Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland’s great historic sites. Rising 60 metres above the Golden Vale of Tipperary, it is crowned by a cluster of fascinating monastic remains.
Overnight in Cashel area |
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You continue your journey to the south west of Ireland through the small market town of Cahir, dominated by its castle built on a rock in the middle of the River Suir. Drive on between the Galtee and Knockmealdown Mountains, via Ballyporeen and on to the awe-inspiring lakes and mountains of the Killarney area. Your accommodation for the next two nights is shown below.
It is a short drive from Killarney to the Gap of Dunloe, a magnificent gorge which you can view from a jaunting car (pony and trap), hired from Kate Kearney’s Cottage. There are 5 small lakes in the rocky valley; you can take a boat ride on the lakes and try out the legendary echoes. On Day 6 you may choose to drive all or part of the famous Ring of Kerry – the full 109 mile journey takes you through stunning coastal scenery and the villages of Killorglin, Cahirciveen, Waterville, Sneem, Parknasilla, Kenmare and back to Killarney. Inside the Ring is the great mountain range of Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, containing the highest peak in Ireland.
Overnight in Killarney area. |
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It is a lovely scenic drive from Killarney to cork, and you should of course stop at Blarney Castle, to gain ‘the gift of the gab’ by kissing the Blarney stone in the upper tower of the castle. There are good views too, as well as pleasant walks around the castle grounds. Continue to Cork, a city divided by the River Lee that flows through it, creating an island in the centre, which is best explored on foot to enjoy the splendid 17th and 18th century buildings.
In the evening, you may choose to drive to Kinsale, to enjoy this lovely town overlooking the Bandon River, well known for yachting and fishing, as well as its many fine restaurants.
Overnight in Cork area: |
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Commence your journey home.
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