Step back in time and explore Ireland’s Ancient East, where history, legends, and culture come to life.
Ireland’s Ancient East is a well sign-posted route through the east and south of Ireland, stretching from Newgrange and the Boyne Valley in the north east, traveling through the Midlands all the way down to Waterford’s Viking Quarter and Cork’s many cultural attractions. With Ireland’s abundance of historical attractions, visitors can tread where legends were born and see the amazing historical sites that are an integral part of the beauty of Ireland today.
The east and south of Ireland showcases their wonderful historical touring region, stretching from Meath to Cork. As part of the ‘Ireland’s Ancient East’ experience visitors can also enjoy the stunning Irish countryside, stop off and explore Ireland’s friendly towns and villages, take in a festival, sample local cuisine and stay in accommodation run by local Irish families.
Breakfast each morning except day of arrival
Hertz manual compact car with unlimited mileage, Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), theft protection (TP), value added tax (VAT), third party liability and location service charge (LSC)
Price is per person based on double occupancy during low season and is subject to availability at the time of booking.
Leave the Airport and head north to County Meath for your first historical finding, the famous grounds of the Battle of the Boyne. The largest number of troops ever deployed on an Irish battle field, fought in this battle. The Battle of the Boyne Visitor Center is located in the recently restored 18th century Old Bridge House, which is on the battle site.
The next Highlight of the Historical trail is Newgrange. The Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange was built about 3200 BC. The kidney shaped mound covers an area of over one acre and is surrounded by 97 kerb stones, some of which are richly decorated with megalithic art. The Restaurant / Tearoom serves a good range of food and tasty snacks, so why not take time and have some lunch before its time for the next stop at Trim Castle. You can take a guided tour of 45 minutes. Make your way back to Navan town for some fine local cuisine and a relaxing evening chatting to the friendly locals.
Well-rested and rejuvenated its time for another day of ancient east activities. Take a drive west for a well-worth visit to the intriguing Lough crew Cairns. There are over 30 mounds and cairns, mostly on the two main hills, Carnbane East and Carnbane West. The tombs were built around 3200 BC and their primary purpose is to measure time. After working up an appetite stop off for some lunch in Navan and re-boost your energy levels. Proceed on to the Hill of Tara, best known as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland. The Hill of Tara has been an important site since the late Stone Age when a passage-tomb was constructed there. Attractions include an audio-visual show and guided tours of the site. After you have been wowed by the Hill of Tara, its back to your accommodation for your second night. Enjoy an evening meal and relax before heading south bound on Day 3 to the lush green pastures of the midlands.
After an early rise, it’s time to head south through the flat plains of the midlands. Steeped in numerous ancient historical sites, your route just keeps becoming more exciting. Clonmacnoise Co. Offaly is your next stop. The site includes the ruins of a cathedral, seven churches (10th -13th century), two round towers, three high crosses and the largest collection of Early Christian graves in Western Europe.
While the next stop-off on this route is synonymous with ancient Ireland for its castle, Birr castles’ surrounding demesne also portrays the beauty and awe of nature.The demesne includes formal gardens with the world’s tallest box hedges, wisteria and old roses. It also has terraces that afford stunning views of the castle and come alive with color in the summer. Additionally, water is a prominent feature, with a waterfall, lakes and rivers throughout the property.
After Birr, its onto Holy cross abbey Co. Tipperary. One of Ireland’s hidden gems, it has a very curious history and the distinction of having been one of the principle places of pilgrimage in Ireland for over 800 years. Pilgrims visited from all over Europe to view the relic of the ‘true cross’ or ‘holy rood’ from whence the Abbey got its name. From here its only a short distance to the famous Rock of Cashel. A spectacular group of Medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale including the 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th century Castle and the restored Hall of the Vicars Choral. Cashel is also where you will spend the night so make your way to your hotel and unwind in its environs.
You are now heading towards the sunny south-east, but first a stop off at Lismore Castle and further a field is Blarney Castle. Why not take some time to check out the south east coastline and get on-board the Blackwater Cruise in Waterford or unwind your fishing rod at the scenic Dungarvan. Visit the Waterford Crystal factory and see how Ireland’s renowned beautiful glass pieces are made. Finally, you will reach your next over-night stay in the City of Kilkenny. Settle into your hotel for the night and check out the friendly pubs of the city as you head out for an evening stroll.
Head further south-east to Co. Wexford, the home of Irish strawberries and potatoes. Visit The Kennedy Homestead, birthplace of President John F. Kennedy’s great-grandfather Patrick Kennedy. It celebrates the story of five generations of the Kennedy dynasty and is still today farmed by his descendants. Take a coastal drive to Hook lighthouse and along by Rosslare Europort before making your way back to Kilkenny city for your second night. Visit to the city’s famous Norman Castle was home to the Butlers of Ormonde for nearly five centuries. A tour will bring you to the Picture Gallery Wing, and around the nooks and crannies of the library, with its beautiful color scheme. If you don’t feel like taking a guided tour 500 years of history is condensed into a 12-minute film in the Medieval Room in the South Tower.
Your final full day of adventures will lead you towards the east coast up to Co. Wicklow where you will reach your sixth and final destination on the the Ancient East route. En route you can stop at various ancient Irish sites. It is highly recommended to Visit Wicklow Gaol which has more of an action story associated with it than many previously visited sites. It tells a story of crime, cruelty, exile and misery. The harshness of prison life in the 18th Century, the passion of the 1798 rebellion, the cruelty of the transportation ships and hope of a new life in Australia can all be experienced in Wicklow Gaol.
Next set sail to the beautiful Glendalough. This early Christian ecclesiastical settlement was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Set in a glaciated valley with two lakes, the monastic remains include a superb round tower, stone churches and decorated crosses. The Visitor Center has an interesting exhibition and an audio-visual show. If the sun is shining, it might be a good idea to stop and pick up some snacks to enjoy along the Glendalough walkway. You will spend your last night in Wicklow town. So sit back unwind and reminisce about the astonishing trip of Ireland’s Ancient east.
After breakfast make your way to the Airport.
All hotels and accommodations included in your trip are carefully selected to meet a 4-star standard or higher. While we occasionally book 3-star hotels or B&B properties, they must meet our high standards of quality and comfort. To ensure consistency, we strive to have a team member visit each property regularly or conduct a thorough site inspection.
Round trip flights to the tours destination are not included, but we are happy to provide you with a flight quote for your trip along with travel protection for the duration.
While booking flights may seem simple, hidden fees and service classes that exclude seats, meals, or bags are common. Since 1985, our expertise and exclusive contracts allow us to secure better routes and often better prices than what’s available online.
We would be happy to help create a custom itinerary for you before or after your time in Ireland, if you’d like to extend your trip.
Your first vacation quote, and up to two revisions, for trips of 9 or fewer days, and 45 days in advance of travel, are complimentary. If an itinerary requires further revisions subsequent to this, we will require a non-refundable deposit of $75 per person in order to continue.
If you are requesting a quote for a vacation that is 10 days in length, or with travel dates within 45 days, or to a non-core destination, a deposit of $75 per person will be required in order for us to begin working on your proposal.
Planning deposits can then be put towards the cost of the trip should you decide to proceed with the booking.
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